Natalies Palace Pets / Pumpkin Patch Birthday Party

Natalie has an October birthday and wanted a Disney Palace Pets theme. I wanted a pumpkin patch theme, but none of the local farms host parties in October due to their busy season. So, we had a Palace Pets in the Pumpkin Patch party right in our own backyard. We took advantage of the wide area and gazebo, and added a large decorated canopy, a pumpkin patch, and a hay bale photo spot. We were going to have an Oktoberfest inspired menu, but the pretzels were not delivered in time. So, we quickly gathered finger foods and that was fine. The guests started by playing cornhole in our side yard as everyone arrived. Then, each guest picked a pumpkin from Natalie's pumpkin patch and decorated it with glitter paint and adhesive jewels in the gazebo. Next, we had a fun Scavenger Hunt to find gifts the palace pets had hidden in spots all over the garden, including crowns, jewels, candy, and even a glass slipper for each guest in the pumpkin patch. Next, the kids enjoyed the pinata, which was Natalie's request. Finally, everyone gathered for snacks, cake, and gifts in the decorated canopy. The theme colors were hot pink, orange, and white, with pumpkins and princess-y touches through the decor. Each guest also received a favor bags with candy and a gift - mini Palace Pet dolls for the girls, and Hot Wheels for the boys.

• What People Ate

  Chips, veggie tray, pigs-in-a-blanket. Our Oktoberfest-style pretzel order did not arrive until after the party, unfortunately, but that was supposed to be a highlight.

• What People Drank

  Soda, juice boxes, also beer for adults

• Desserts

  Palace Pets in the pumpkin patch cake with ice cream. Simply a cake decorated with pumpkin vine icing and marshmallow pumpkins, topped with a few mini Palace Pet dolls.

• Party Favors

  We had separate gift bags for the boys and girls. Everyone got ring pops and candy bracelets. The girls also got a mini Palace Pet doll, while the boys got a Hot Wheels blind bag.

• Activities / Games

  The guests each chose a pumpkin from a patch made of loose hay and hay bales. Some pumpkins were painted hot pink, others were natural. Then, they decorated them with glitter paint and stick on jewels in our gazebo. Later, we had a big scavenger hunt throughout the garden, with clues left by the Palace Pets. Each clue led to a prize - crowns, jewels, candy, wands, and finally a glass slipper hidden in the pumpkin patch for each guest. We also had a hay bale photo spot with a pallet background. We added lots of fall mums and pumpkins around it for extra color.

• Harris Teeter - cake

  Bakery

  Just a grocery store cake that I added toppers to.