Plan Ahead
Up to 1 Week Ahead
- Make All-American Snack Mix.
The Day Before
- Make Spaceship Cake or Star-Studded Celebration Cupcakes; cover loosely.
- Wash and prepare veggies.
- Chill juice and ginger ale for Frosty Fruity Sodas.
About 3 Hours Before
- Prepare ingredients for Grilled Pizza Dogs; wrap separately and refrigerate.
About 1 1/2 Hours Before Serving
- If using a charcoal grill, heat grill.
Just Before Serving
- Make Frosty Fruity Sodas, or set out ingredients and let guests serve themselves.
- Grill hot dogs. When kids are done eating, grill marshmallows.
Party Guide
Star Light, Star Bright
- Create unique, photo party invitations from Kodak Gallery!
- The night sky will provide a natural ambience, but you can also add to the theme with some simple star and planet decorations available at your local party-supply store.
- Create a fun party game by drafting your own connect-the-dots astronomy quiz (check the Internet or a library for background information). The kids complete and name the constellations as they discover them in the night sky.
- Stargazing can be fun while sprawled on the grass in your backyard, or you can borrow a telescope to get a better view. Whether you decide to have your guests sleep in your family room, porch or backyard, have everyone bring along a sleeping bag and pillow.
Wilted-Weather Plans
Even though you've checked with your local weather reporters, watched the national weather channel and relied on your Aunt Emma's homespun weather-predicting trick, sometimes Mother Nature just does not cooperate. Your stargazing party still can be a success with a little contingency planning. Here are some alternative ideas:
- Make a trip to a local planetarium where you can take your sleep-over guests for a star show and then return to your house for the rest of the party.Move your party indoors and decorate your designated party room with glow-in-the-dark stars. When the lights are turned off, the room will look like a galaxy and provide just the right backdrop for giggling, telling scary stories or watching videos.
Out-of-This-World Eats
- Turn fresh veggies into celestial creations. Cut slices of carrots, jicama and bell peppers with small round, star- and moon-shaped cookie cutters.
- Make a "Jungle Breakfast" for sleepyheads to wake up to. Hang individual-serving-size boxes of cereal and bananas on strings from tree branches. Then just provide milk, juice and spoons!
Party Pictures