An Oh, So Easy Centerpiece, fit for a Big Dog Party

May 23

May 23 An Oh, So Easy Centerpiece, fit for a Big Dog Party

DIY + Craft, Kid-Friendly, Cake, Entertainment, Party, Straws, Construction Paper

Party Hat DIY: 1 hour | Finding a party in a tree: no time at all

A great party theme

If you haven’t read Go, Dog. Go!, and are looking for a birthday party theme for your 2-4 year old, then stop what you are doing. Go outside and flag down a green dog driving a red car. Or a blue dog driving a yellow car. Ask him to take you to the nearest party in a tree. It will be a big dog party, guaranteed. And you will want to throw one yourself.

I love the flat graphic illustrations and simple palette. Perfect for simple, inexpensive decor ideas!

Make a party hat-inspired centerpiece

This centerpiece is a nod to the fabulous party hat of Go, Dog. Go! It’s easy and cheap. If you can handle scissors, you are qualified. And it will cost as much as the change found in your sofa.

(Keep in mind the goal is simplicity. You can absolutely create an elaborate party hat identical to the book. But honestly, you may never get to the party if you do. You will be sleepless and stuck in the basement with hot glue in your hair.)

A colorful centerpiece like this one can be moved around the party. More bang for your non-buck! Start with the drinks & apps table, then move it to the main party room.

DIY Supplies

Construction paper (Black, Green, Red, Yellow, Pink, Lt Blue)
Gluestick
Scotch tape
Scissors
3-4 Balsa yard-length sticks (or dowels)
5-6 straws (patterned straws add pop)
1 yard string
Sand (You can also use dirt, clay, Playdoh, etc. Anything to hold sticks in place.)
Wide-mouth Large Vase (solid white or black)

Save a trip to the craft store by looking through your junk drawers. Feel free to improvise supplies! The only item I had to purchase was the balsa wood. Everything else was found.

Flags, Flowers, Fish & Lollipops

Cut the balsa wood into varying heights. You’ll need enough for: 2 Flags, 2 Flowers, 1 Pinwheel & 1 Fish. If you don't have straws for the lollipops, you can use balsa for this as well.

Get cutting! Free-style the shapes and lettering! Don't make it perfect! The crazier, the better.

Personalize the message on your flags. Make them a little larger than the other items, so that the message stands out. (In this centerpiece, they are about 8” long.) Add (3) 1 in. tabs to the edge of each flag.

Adhere items to sticks with scotch tape.

Tape the three tabs tightly around the balsa wood.

Put a slit in the top of the balsa wood to create a secure notch for the string.

Fill container halfway with sand (or whatever material you choose) to anchor in the sticks. Angle them and vary the height.

Pinwheel!

Adding a pinwheel’s dimension really helps this centerpiece be viewable from all angles. I originally said you only need scissor skills for this DIY. Well, I lied. You need to be able to fold paper. (If you are concerned about your folding skills, you can do what I did. I asked my mother-in-law to knock this out. She did a great job.)

Check out this fast & easy Pinwheel tutorial from Lisa Leonard.

Pinwheel adds great dimension. If you don't want to go to the craft store for a single brass brad to hold it together, try an old button and thread.

Send books as invites

Since we opted for a small party, we used Amazon Prime to ship Go, Dog. Go! books to each guest, with a gift message serving as their invitation. The books are remarkably inexpensive.

Balloons, Cars & Cake!

This centerpiece was a great pace-setter. It helped us keep the party simple with a craft, cake & balloons. (Thank you, @DominiqueJessee for the scrumptious cake.) Here are a few more ideas on how to bring a big dog party to your home. Go, Parents. Go!

Handimania’s Toilet Paper Roll Racecars
Glued to My Crafts Go, Dog. Go! Paper Plate Kid’s Craft
Oh, Happy Day’s Spiral Mobile
Skip to My Lou’s Newspaper Paper Hats
What Would Gwyneth Do? Sprinkle Cake