I am hosting a dog - themed birthday party that will have kids ages 3 - 7 to entertain. I had 2 ideas for an activity/gift for the kids and I can't decide which to do. I found plain white canvas dogs that they could decorate with fabric markers and take home with them. Or I could buy Webkinz dogs and have an "adopt a dog" table. Which would be better for that age group? As I see it, the canvas dogs would be a good activity but would also mean little kids are at my house with fabric markers (meaning unwashable). The adopt a dog wouldn't really give them an activity but would give them cute dogs - with no potential mess. The cost is about the same for either option. What do you think?
do the canvas dogs with washable markers. Its totally a thing to have an animal you can decorate and wash and decorate again. My daughter got one for her birthday a few years ago and loves it.
Could you use water based markers (like crayola) and then they can be washed and decorated all over again? Personally, I'd prefer the canvas dog party, but I get the concern. The adopt a dog party I see someone not getting the dog they wanted and hurt feelings.
I would do the white canvas dogs with washable markers. When the children take their adopted dogs home, they can redecorate them if they like. It's good to give children something to do, not just something to look at. Hope the party's fun!
Rather than webkinz dogs, how about getting a bunch of random stuffed dogs, and creating an adoption certificate for them?
You could also come up with a "contract" like they do at standard pet adoptions, with care and feeding suggestions.
Create some games/competitions they can do with their new "pets"...
Cute!
If you wanted to have them "create" something, how about having them make a dog bed or dog house for their new pet?
We had a dog themed party and so did a neighbor. She had them decorate collars with name tags that fit around their own necks so that was cute. At our party we played like a Simon says game with dog commands. Sit, rollover, bark etc. Kids liked that too. We also had carboard dog houses for them to decorate. So just some more ideas. Otherwise, I also like the canvas dogs better... As someone said, better an activity than something to look at and as a parent, I wouldn't have wanted to deal with the online stuff either.
I like both ideas, but I think I like the adopt a dog table with random stuffed dogs better. The kids can pick the one they want, and like you said, no mess. The only thing that concerns me is if you get all Webkinz dogs. I love Webkinz, as did my kids, but not everyone has a Webkinz account and some parents might feel pressured to get one if their kid came home with an animal, and they may not want to get an account. I think if you just bought random dogs - Gund, Beanie Babies, whatever - it would be better.
I like the canvas dogs they could decorate. Then they have the dog, plus they get to decorate it themselves. Could you get a cheap table cloth and just make sure the kids sit at the table when they decorate? So the mess stays at the table? Or washable markers? One year I bought cheap t-shirts and fabric paint at Micheal's and everyone got to decorate a shirt. Everyone loved it and my kids still occasionally wear the shirts. I just made sure the activity was done in the kitchen so the mess stayed there.
I vote against the Webkinz. I think it is a parental decision as to whether a child that age has an online account for a Webkinz. Also, I assumed they had declined in popularity. This is the first I've heard of them in a long time and I no longer see them in the stores.
I agree with the canvas dogs with washable markers if possible. And what about pin the tail on the dog? We had a Clifford themed birthday party once and we did pin the tail on Clifford (other games too), had cut out sugar cookies in the shape of dog bones and read a Clifford story at the end as quiet time.
The idea for the Webkinz is a neat one but does raise a lot of issues that others have brought up, the on-line account, kids fighting over the dog they want, etc. The other thing I am thinking of is that giving each child a Webkinz at a birthday party kind of sets a president for the upcoming parties. I guess it depends on how you look at it. The parties we've had for my boys have been at gymnastics places and pizza/game places so we spent probably $20 per kiddo on the party for the food and entertainment, if you are having the party at home you wouldn't be spending as much on that kind of thing so you could afford the nicer take home gift.
Just my thoughts.
M
Unless every single Webkinz dog looks the same, don't do it. The kids will be too disappointed if someone else gets the one they want. I don't know anything about webkinz though.
Can you do the canvas one in the garage or basement where markers won't be as big of an issue?
Canvas dogs. Love the idea!
You could put a cheap plastic table cloth on your kitchen table or on the ground in the living room. Just make sure if you're doing it on the ground that's it a huge one.
