A group craft project can be a fun way to involve all of the party guests, young and old alike. These activities focus more on the process than on the finished project.

Homemade Wrapping Paper

You can let the children take some of the paper home. Alternatively, do this project at the beginning of the party and while the children are preoccupied with something else, have someone use this paper to wrap the party favors.

• Before the party cut the sponges into different shapes such as a party hat or birthday cake. If you are having a theme party, cut shapes that match the theme.

• Seat your guests around a table covered with butcher paper.

• Pour different colors of paint into the pie tins and show the children how to use the sponges as stamps. Attach the clothespins to the sponges if children are having difficulty grasping the sponges.

• Encourage the children to create a design on all areas of the paper. Let dry before dividing or using.

Fence Tapestry

This is a great project if you have a cyclone fence in your yard. You will be surprised at how nice the finished result looks. Be sure to take pictures of the completed results to send home. Supervise this project carefully, and be mindful of any long materials that could pose a choking hazard.

• Show the children how to weave the different materials through the fence holes. The weaving technique does not have to be perfect or uniform. In fact, it will look better when children add materials in their own way.

Jumbo Card

Do this activity during a transition time in the party when children are arriving or leaving. Your child will be left with a special keepsake of the day.

• Fold poster board in half and write “Happy Birthday” on the front. Attach a large bow on the top corner.

• Set the card up in a location that is easy for the guests to reach. Supply them with crayons and markers for them to “sign” and decorate a message for the birthday child.

Giant Mural Puzzle

The nice thing about this activity is that each guest gets to take a puzzle piece home with them. You may want to provide smocks, as this can be a messy activity.

• Hang a large sheet of butcher paper in a place where all the child can easily reach. Outdoors is best.

• Give the children pans of tempera paint and large brushes. Encourage them to work together to paint a large mural.

• You want children to work together, but if you notice territorial battles, it is best to intervene. You can solve most problems by marking sections of the mural off with a pencil.

• When the children are done, let the painting dry.

• Cut the paper into equal sections, enough to give one to each child.

• Distribute the sections and then challenge the children to put the mural puzzle back together again.