Ladybug Birthday Party Theme

Decorations
Decorate the party table with a red table cloth. Cut out black circles of different sizes and place on top of the
table - then cover with a clear plastic table cloth. Tie red and black helium balloons on the backs of the chairs,
or use red helium balloons and color on black spots with a permanent marker. Red and black streamers are always
fun.

Red and black helium balloons (more red ones then black) tied on the mailbox lets everyone know where the ladybug party will be. You can also cut out large circles from poster board and lay them down on the walkway to the front
door.

Games
Pin the Spot on the Ladybug
Played the same way as Pin the Tail on the Donkey only children try to pin a missing spot on a ladybug. Draw a large picture of a ladybug with six spots. For one of the spots don’t color it in black, just leave it white. This will be the spot that the children try and get their spot closest to when playing. Cut out several circles the same size as the missing
spot on the poster. Color them black and number them on the back - one number for each child attending. Blindfold
the guests one at a time and have them try and stick the spot (use double sided tape on the back of the spot) as
close to the missing one as they can. Closest wins a prize.

Ladybug Nature Scavenger Hunt
This is a fun game for the yard or park. Divide guests into 2 teams (or if there are more then 10 guests 3 - 4 teams).

Each team will need:

A paper bag

Plastic spoons (one from each team member)

Zippered sandwich bags

A copy of the Butterfly Nature Hunt list for each team member

Make a list of 10 - 20 nature items that can be easily found outside and around the party area.

Tell the teams that they are to try and find all the items on their list. The spoon and plastic baggie are for collecting bugs.

Give them a time limit - 15 to 30 minutes depending on how long the list is.

The first team back with all the items on the list wins … or if time runs out the team that has the most items from
the list wins. Give both teams a prize.

Scavenger hunt suggestions: Before making the list go and canvas the area the children will be collecting their items from. Write down the things that you see and add them to your list. Take care of any potential dangers - ant mounds, poison ivy, etc. before the party. Here are some things to look for: A feather, something blue, root, grass blade,
seeds, wood, 3 different kinds of leaves, stick, something that makes noise, something faster then a snail, something that fell out of a tree, something that begins with the first letter of the birthday boy/girls name, something shiny, something white, something soft, something black.

Ladybug Landing
Younger children love this game.
Cut large leaves out of poster board or felt. Make one leaf per guest. Put the leaves around the floor of the area
 you will be playing in. Tell birthday guests that they are going to pretend to be ladybugs. They will fly around the
room when the music plays … but when the music stops they must find a leaf to land on.
If you are giving away prizes:

Before the party buy small prizes - enough for each guest - with a ladybug theme. Number each prize. On the back of each leaf write a number that corresponds with the a number on a prize. When the last round of the game is played
tell players to pick up their leaves and find the number on the back. Then let them pick up the number of the prize
they have on their leaf.

Activities
Make fun ladybug antenna’s with headbands, pipe cleaners and Styrofoam balls.

Let the guests paint picture frames green and then paint on ladybugs. An easy way to make ladybugs is to have
them dip their index finger in red paint and make dots on the frame. Then come back when dry with a small paint
brush and paint on the dots, eyes and antenna’s.

Decorate clay pots with red and black paint. Then fill with dirt and a few flower seeds.

Ladybug Pets

Find several (more then the number of guests so they will have a choice) very smooth round flat rocks. Let the
guests paint their rocks with red and black paint to look like ladybugs. Glue on googly eyes if desired. Then let the
guests name their “pets”.

Food
Ladybug cupcakes
Bake and then frost cupcakes with red icing. Using red paste from a cake decorating or craft store will give you the
best “red“. Use black or brown decorating gel to divide the cupcake in half - for the wings and draw on antenna. Use brown mini M&M’s for the eyes and regular size M&M’s for spots. A cupcake tower / stand makes a pretty centerpiece when showing off the ladybugs.

Or after icing the cupcakes red place them in a circle on a plate. Place Oreo cookies for spots and use string fruit
rollups to divide the wings and antenna.