Party Ideas -- Rapunzel Tower Photo Booth

Create a unique photo booth for your upcoming Rapunzel themed party using nothing but a few large cardboard boxes, tape, paint, a couple of plastic cups, and a little time. Your party guests will love posing for pictures with their friends in this fantastic tower, and it's so easy to make, your little Princess can even help! Make just the front as a photo booth, or go all out and make a full tower, and after the party it turns in to a mini tower playhouse for your little one. :)

What you'll need:

• A few large cardboard boxes 
• Paints (spray paint in light purple, dark blue, and brown tones for the castle walls, and acrylic greens for the vines)
• Faux flowers (for decorating)
• Hot glue gun
• A sturdy chair or stool for your models 

Here are a few examples of towers people have made to get you started, and here's a great step-by- step guide from Melissa Williams Design Blog. 

Party Craft Ideas -- DIY Harry Potter Wands

Here's a great party giveaway idea for your Harry Potter themed party: chopstick wands! They're super quick and easy to make, and you'll save a bundle on party favors. Make them in advance and give one to each party guest, and invite your own Harry Potter entertainer to teach them how to use them! 

What you'll need: 

• 15" bamboo cooking chopsticks (like these ones)
• Assorted colors of brown acrylic paint
• Foam brushes
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks (about 2 sticks per wand, to be safe)
• Glossy spray paint

Remember, each wand is a little different, so don't be afraid to get creative! Follow along with this great step-by-step guide from Boxy Colonial. 

Party Craft Ideas: Rainbow Wands

Everybody loves a Rainbow party. So many beautiful colors! Invite one of our Rainbow Ponies or Unicorns to do rainbow face painting, and balloon twisting for all your guests (and of course, rainbow magic)! These easy to make wands are a great idea for a rainbow craft to keep your party guests having fun until your entertainer arrives. :)

Here's what you'll need:

• Scissors  
• Hot glue gun/glue or fabric glue
• Glittered white felt (plain white would do just fine too) 
• Stuffing 
• Extra long lollipop sticks 
• 1/4" red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple ribbon cut to about twice the length of your lollipop stick

Here's the step-by-step instructions from Icing Designs. :)

Party Ideas - Thomas and Friends Cardboard Photo Booth

Create a unique photo booth for your upcoming Train themed party, using nothing but a few large boxes, some tape, paint, some balloons, and a little time. You little Engineer will love posing for photos with their friends in this just-for-them-sized train.

Make just the engine car, or grab a couple extra boxes and make passenger cars, too!

What you'll need:

• 2 - 3 extra-large cardboard boxes (large appliance boxes are best)
• 2 - 3 smaller boxes (optional if you're making passenger cars, too)
• Duct tape
• Double-sided tape
• Black poster board
• Craft paint in assorted color
• Paint brushes
• Scissors or craft knife
• Three small black paper or plastic plates for each car (you can also just cut these out of some extra cardboard)
• Red and blue wrapping paper
• White balloons (optional)
• Thomas face printable

Here's the step-by-step instructions from PBS Parents.

Make a free-standing photo booth:

Or, you can even attach the boxes to a kids' wagon, and make a ride-on!

Party Craft Ideas: Death Star Piñata

Your guests will love this Death Star piñata, and it's so quick and easy to make, you and your little Jedi-in-training can even make it together. Invite one of our amazing Jedi entertainers to your party to teach the kids how to find the Force within themselves. Our Jedi can twist balloon light sabers for each of the guests and do light saber training, then watch your little Padawans unleash their awesome new Jedi skills to destroy the Death Star!

What you'll need:

• Big round balllon
• Fatty cream
• Torn paper strips
• Bowl of water
• Mixture of white glue & water (2:1)
• Water based paint
• Grey fast dry spray paint
• Acrylic paints (white, dark grey, and black)
• Thin brush for detail work
• Rope or twine
• Hot glue gun
• Compasses
• Craft knife
• Candy or prizes for inside

Here's the full tutorial from Troom Troom: