Child Lord of the Rings Costumes

Ideas for a Lord of the Rings birthday party:

For a theme party, have the children bring their backpacks and send them off on a quest for the ring. A special map, designed by you like the ones in the books, can lead them around the house, yard, park or neighborhood (depending on age and safety). At each stage of their journey, a game can be played and refreshment provided, culminating in the discovery of the Ring (perhaps secreted in the birthday cake).

For nourishment along the way, a pan of Scottish shortbread cut into squares makes terrific Elven waybread - or any square-cut pan cookie (non-chocolate) will do. For a healthier treat, whole wheat crackers might fit the bill. Cut leaf shapes from green napkins for the wrapping (unless you are fortunate enough to live where real leaves of sufficient size are available).

Small flasks (toy canteens or thermos) of sparkling apple juice or flavored water would provide a marvelous Entish drink ensuring the kids will grow tall and strong.

To get the children in the mood, provide each guest with an instant simple cloak costume - just cut squares of brown or Elven grey fabric and pin them on. To make Elven leaf pins similar to the ones in the movie, trace a leaf shape onto green craft foam or heavy posterboard and use a glue gun to attach them to the safety pin.

For older kids, making Elven jewelry might be a fun party activity - you might have them trace the patterns onto clear plastic sheets, paint them with glittering silver and green acrylic paint, then glue them onto matching shapes of the foam or posterboard.

Another crafting idea might be creating wizard staffs (you will want to closely supervise their use of the staffs!) - for little ones, you could have them paint and decorate (with glitter, glass or plastic sequins and gemstones) hollow cardboard paper tubes. For older kids or more elaborate staffs, very large wooden dowels, cut off broomsticks or even real wood branches (if available and straight) would make fantastic staffs for aspiring Gandalfs and could be saved for use as a costume accessory at Halloween.

Most party goods stores will carry paper goods and goody bags with a Lord of the Rings theme - but if you can't find them, just buy plain green and brown or woodsy themed products. Small cloth drawstring bags make perfect party bags with a medieval/Lord of the Rings flavor.

Party favors and/or game prizes might include plastic Arwen pendants for the girls (the one shown above with the costumes is very inexpensive), child size archery sets (for the Legolas fans), and "gold" rings, naturally. If you can find them at your local craft store, small clear glass or plastic perfume bottles might make nice "Phials of Galadriel" when filled with water spiced with silver and gold glitter.

For pre-teens and teens: If you happen to have a group of older kids or teens who are ardent fans, you might consider combining the party with a charity walk/run event in your local community (if the timing is right). The kids could raise money for a good cause, walk or run their 5 to 20 kilometers (as the quest for the ring) and celebrate at the end of the day. This is one way for children and young adults to truly appreciate the underlying self-sacrificial theme of The Lord of the Rings and have fun while doing so.