How to Have a Backwards Party...(Ideas that adapt to any kids party theme)

Whatever theme you select, write the party details backwards on the invitation.  In order to read what is written, the invitation has to be held up to a mirror.  (Be sure to the instructions to use a mirror are written the correct way...)   A great way to set the party mood.

Time of the Party....
Instead of an afternoon or evening party, why not early morning for breakfast?  An early morning party is a perfect "surprise" party idea.  Arrangements with the kid's parents is a must and essential is someone that drives to pick each guest up, perhaps waking them up and everyone piles into the car on their way to a party!
 

Ask the Kids To...
Wear their clothes backwards and be sure to have a camera ready to take photos as the kids arrive wearing their pants, shirts, coats, hats, etc. the opposite way.  Shoes are a little difficult but who knows what kids may show up wearing their mom or dad's shoes the wrong way.  Have special prizes for these creative kids!


When the Kids Arrive...
Put up signs for them to enter through the BACK DOOR and say GOODBYE when you see them.  When the kids leave, tell them HELLO.


Decorations...
Hang banners to read backwards.  Inflate balloons by blowing them up with your own air... do not u helium and the balloons will sag downwards instead of floating upwards.  Hang streamers from ceiling to floor instead of across walls.  Turn the centerpiece upside down on the table.  Use any decorations upside down or backwards.


Create a List of Words...
Ask kids to spek them during the party and give them a little piece of paper each time they do... have prizes for the one or two who spoke the backwards language the most throughout the party.  Some examples include:

Thank You:  uoy knaht
Hi:  ih
Happy Birthday:  yadhtirb yppah
 

--and--

Create a separate list for the words to...
The Happy Birthday Song
so everyone can sing when the cake is served:

Yppah Yadhtrib Ot Uoy,
Yppah Yadhtrib Ot Uoy.
Yppah Yadhtrib daer ________ 
(birthday child name spelled backwards),
Yppah Yadhtrib Ot Uoy.

--or--

You To Birthday Happy,
You To Birthday Happy.
Birthday Happy, Dear (child's name)
Happy Birthday To You.

Birthday Cake...
In frosting, write Happy Birthday backwards, place cake decorations upside down... as a matter of fact, after frosting the cake, turn the whole thing upside down so the unfrosted bottom is now the top of the cake.  


Scrapbook, Fabric Wall Hanging or Banner Signing...
Provide a scrapbook page, fabric or a banner for each guest to sign his or her name backwards as  memento for the birthday child.


Food Ideas...
Serve the cake first, then the foods.  
Ask the kids to sit 'under' the table instead of in chairs at the table.
Serve sandwiches inside-out.


Game Ideas...

Stand on your head... can anyone do this?

Backwards Obstacle Course:
Create an obstacle course outside and ask kids to go through the course backwards.  Obstacles can include a tire, stool, rocks, bucket of water, etc. -- things to climb over, go around, etc. and since the kids are walking this backwards, ensure each obstacle can safely be accomplished.

Backward Chairs:
This is a variation on the classic Musical Chairs Game.  There should be one less chair than the total number of players.  When the music starts, the kids sit down and since there is one less chair, the child without a chair sits on someone's lap.  REMOVE one chair.  When the music STOPS, the kids get up and walk around the chairs until the music starts up again, at which time they sit and being another chair short, the kids still standing sit on someone's lap.  Continue the game until there is only one chair left... or several chairs if the group is large.  Be ready for a lot of laughing on this game and the kids may want to play it several times.



Party Activites...

Backwards Video: 
Take a movie of the party and then show it to all the guests -- backwards, of course!
This can be done with any movie that fits the party theme, such as a Mickey Mouse cartoon for a Mickey Mouse party.

Backwards Charades:
A fun and very backward way of playing.  A player gets up in front of the group and selects a piece of paper that gives the title of a book, movie, a saying, nursery rhyme, etc. but instead of acting it out for the group to guess, it is all the party guests that act it out for the player!  For instance, "3 Blind Mice", "Little Drummer Boy", "Beauty & the Beast".

 

Have fun...