Guide to host a Pirate Party

Hosting a kids’ pirate party is a swashbuckling adventure that can be a ton of fun. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you host a memorable pirate-themed party for the little adventurers:

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Pirate themed invitations

Pick a date and time for the party and create pirate-themed invitations. Design them to look like treasure maps, scrolls, or pirate flags. Include essential details like the date, time, location, and RSVP information.

Personalised Invitations

Scroll invites

Ready Made invites

Pirate Costumes

Encourage kids to come dressed as pirates. Provide bandanas, eye patches, hats, and vests to those who need them.

There are lots of pirate outfits online, or you could have a go at making your own.

Decorate the Pirate lair

Transform your space into a pirate’s hideout with pirate flags, ship wheel decorations, treasure chests, and skull-and-crossbones banners.

Decoration bundles like this can make life easier.

Pirate Names

Assign each child a pirate name for the day and make name tags or pirate ID cards.

Here is a downloadable pirate name guide from Etsy.

Pirate games

  • Treasure Hunt: Hide small treasures around the yard and create a map with clues leading kids to find the “X.”
  • Walk the Plank: Set up a small plank over blue cloth (to represent water) and let kids take turns “walking the plank” as a daring pirate would.
  • Pin the Patch on the Pirate: A pirate twist on the classic game, where kids try to pin an eye patch on a pirate poster.
  • Pirate Ship Race: Use large cardboard boxes to make pirate ships, and let kids “row” to the finish line for some fun races.

Pirate Treasure hunt

Pin the patch on the Pirate

Large Pirate barrel game

Pirate Craft Station

Set up a craft station where kids can decorate their own pirate hats, flags, or telescopes.

A pirate craft set, including a Pirate Hat, Ship & Treasure Chest

Pirate Grogg and Nosh

Serve pirate-themed snacks like goldfish crackers, pretzel peg legs, and fruit “cannonballs.” Have a pirate-themed cake or cupcakes as well. Etsy have some ready made pirate Chocolates.

Don’t forget the Pirate themed tableware.

From me here are some printable cake toppers, just print, cutout and stick to cocktail sticks.

The cake cutting ceremony

Don’t forget the cake cutting ceremony! It’s an important part of the party for the child. Gather everyone to sing “Happy Birthday” and watch the birthday child blow out the candles.

Heres an Edible cake topper.

Pirate music and storytelling

You could play pirate sea chanties in the background, and have a pirate (you!), tell tales of adventures on the high seas.

Groove on down to these Pirate Party classics.

Pirate Photo booth

Create a pirate-themed photo booth with props like swords, hats, and treasure chests for fun photo opportunities.

Backdrops you can put your head through.

Thankyous and goody bags

Send guests home with pirate-themed thank-you notes or small party favors as a token of appreciation.

Backdrops you can put your head through.

Pirate goody bags

Prepare pirate-themed party bags like pirate stickers, temporary tattoos, compasses, or mini treasure chests filled with goodies.

Some temporary tattoos (Don’t tatoo them for real!!!)