Forever Young Birthday Carnival

Carnival food is a casual affair.  This eat-with-your-hands menu offers sweet and savory chicken kabobs and classic corn on the cob washed down with minty citrus coolers.  For dessert, cupcakes baked in ice cream cones will win big smiles.

Yummy Honey Chicken Kabobs: Honey, soy sauce, pepper and garlic make a tasty marinade and basting sauce for chicken and vegetables grilled on skewers.

Grilled Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn on the cob grilled in the husk is easy to make and fun to eat.

Cone Cupcakes: Delight the guest of honor with this whimsical spin on birthday cake.

Mint Tea Punch: Tea, mint, and the juice of lemons and oranges make this a quick and easy refresher.

• A carnival means color and lots of it. Choose a pleasing palette (think modern and fresh instead of scary clown) and express it in all the details from balloons and streamers to tableware and cupcake frosting
• Rock a carnival vibe with a few simple games.  (Arrange ahead of time for volunteers to help with the games and prizes.) Here are some ideas to get you started:
  
  Extreme Croquet--Set up an obstacle course (get creative but have simple options for younger players). Players earn rewards based on the number of strokes needed to complete the course.
  
  My Aim is True--throw three out of five softballs, beanbags, or footballs through a swinging, hanging hoop for a win.
  
  Ring Toss--get three out of five rings around an object to win.
  
  Guess Work--Guess how many jellybeans are in a jar. Record the guesses. At the end of the party, the closest number wins.
  
  
• Winning a game earns one or more tickets to be redeemed for prizes such as potted herbs and flowers, baked goods, candies, seed packets, fake tattoos, etc. Include prizes that cost only one ticket. Let guests personalize little bags for collecting tickets
• Other fun carnival ideas: face painting, fortune telling, magician, goofy photo booth
• Optional rentals: popcorn machine, cotton candy maker, snow cone maker, karaoke setup
• Enthrone the birthday guest on a fancy chair, do a ceremonial crowning, and put on a parade of kids, parade of pets, parade of homemade hats, etc.
• Set out tables and chairs for board games and socializing. Picnic blankets on the grass make lovely lounging areas as well. If your party goes into the night, string up lights to create a little magic after dark