We love the glitz and glamour of the Academy Awards: the dresses, the jewels, the red carpet. It’s all so exciting. While our kids may not stay up late enough to watch the whole show (we rarely make it to the last award ourselves!), that doesn’t mean they can’t help celebrate Hollywood’s most indulgent event.
Having an Oscars party is lots of fun, and we have some great ideas for family fun on Oscars night!
Make Oscars-Themed Invites
Send in a fancy envelope (that says “and the invitation goes to…” above the recipient’s name or send out an awards-themed one from Evite.com.
Dress Like a Movie Star
Either ask invitees to come “red-carpet ready”—which can mean anything from sequins to feather boas to a simple pair of sunglasses or some fancy faux jewellery—or have costume dress-up items on hand for kids to get decked out when they arrive. Hit the dollar store for necklaces, sunglasses, tiaras, and feather boas for everyone.
Roll Out the Red Carpet
To make your red carpet, roll out a length of red fabric or paper so the kids can make a grand entrance either outside as they arrive or leading to the room where you’ll be watching. Be ready to take pictures of guests as they arrive. (And don’t forget to send the photos to them later by e-mail.)
Print Academy Awards Ballots
This is a must for the grown-ups. For kids, you can create an Animated Feature Award ballot. Download your printable 2015 Academy Awards ballot here. (Or check out the ballots homepage.) Consider a prize for the winner(s)!
Play Oscars Party Games
Play simple but thematic games like “pin the Oscar on the celebrity”: print out a poster of a celeb and try to pin an Oscar cutout close to his or her hand. Or do a feather boa toss: tie boas into small circles and “toss” them over a small statuette of the famous gold man (or any statuette will do).
We also love these easy, printable (!) Oscars bingo cards from artist Lauren O. Venell. You may want to review them first—the cards are PG-rated but some of the hilariously snarky clues may be better set aside for after the kids are in bed.
Serve Favourite Kids’ Party Snacks
Kids and adults alike love party foods. A few of our favourite things: caramel corn, an avocado bar, warm spinach-and-artichoke dip, devilled eggs, spiced maple roasted nuts, and even shrimp cocktail.
Don’t forget to pop loads of popcorn for munching. Reusable popcorn containers from the dollar store add an authentic movie theatre touch, or print out your own containers onto cardstock and put together for the party.
Supply Festive Drinks
Bubbly is the obvious choice, but for the kiddos, juice with a bit of soda water, sparkling apple cider, or punch do the trick. Glam it up in a big punch bowl with orange slices for effect. Get some plastic champagne classes so everyone can toast the winners.
Create the Perfect Kids’ Party Playlist
Download a selection of kid-appropriate songs that have won or been nominated in the past—many from animated features:
“Everything Is Awesome” from The Lego Movie (2014)
“Let It Go” from Frozen (2013)
“Happy” by Pharrell Williams from Despicable Me 2 (2013)
“Real In Rio” from Rio (2011)
“Man or Muppet” from The Muppets (2011)
“Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
“That’s How You Know” from Enchanted (2007)
“You’ve Got a Friend In Me” from Toy Story (1995)
“Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King (1994)
“A Whole New World” from Aladdin (1992)
“Beauty and the Beast” from Beauty and the Beast (1991)
“Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid (1989)
“The Time of My Life” from Dirty Dancing (1987)
“Footloose” from Footloose (1984)
“Ghostbusters” from Ghostbusters (1984)
“What a Feeling” from Flashdance (1983)
“Eye of the Tiger” from Rocky III (1982)
“Fame” from Fame (1980)
“Rainbow Connection” from The Muppet Movie (1979)
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
“The Bare Necessities” from The Jungle Book (1967)
“Chim, Chim Cheree” from Mary Poppins (1964)
“Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Qué Será, Será)” from The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
“Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” from Song of the South (1947)
Give Out Swag Bags
The stars take home enviable bags o’ swag from the Academy Awards—why not do the same for your little starlets? An Academy Awards party loot bag can include candy, chocolate, sparkly nail polish, a CD or flash drive of the music from the night, a colouring book, and some sparkly or scented markers.
If you’re looking for a crafty idea, get out the glitter, paint, and glue for kids to make their own Oscar to take home or make them ahead. Don’t know where to begin? Twig and Thistle has prepared these awesome Oscar statue templates.
Check out more kids’ party planning ideas on our Pinterest pages!
Need help planning? Download our party planning checklist.
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