How to Throw an Epic "Welcome Summer" Party!
Summer is here and it's time to CELEBRATE with a Welcome Summer Party!
Even though Today (June 20th) is the official first day of Summer, we had a Fun Welcome Summer party a week ago. The main theme of our Welcome Summer party was outdoor play. I wanted to encourage my children to disconnect from their electronic devices this Summer and enjoy playing outside.
When my kids found out about the party they insisted that I invite my sister and her kids. They were overjoyed when they learned that I already had.
Making a Summer Banner
As the main decoration for our fun family party, I pulled out my Cricut Explore Air™ machine and made this super cute Summer Banner. The Sun SVG file is available in the Cricut Design Space™ as is the Font (Cricut Alphabet). Click HERE to download the FREE SVG File for the Pennant Shape. I sized the Pennants to be able to cut 2 per a 8.5 x 11" page (but then discovered that I had an unopened package of Cricut's 20 sheets 12 in. x 12 in. textured cardstock in White and used that) and the Sun Icon and letters to match. Then it was just a matter of cutting all the cardstock, weeding, and gluing it all together.
Rather than cut holes in each pennant to string the banner together, I grabbed some washi (decorative tape) and just taped the banner together by folding the tape over the front of the banner. Then I hung the Banner with 2 strips of contrasting color washi tape. I loved how easy this project was as well as how colorful.
Tin Can Stilts
For the party activities, I first presented each of the 4 older kids with their own set of Tin-Can Stilts. I had a lot of fun making them and in the end, they only cost about $3 a set. You can get the DIY tutorial for how you can easily and affordably make your own Tin Can stilts HERE.
Customized Summer Kids Gift Buckets
Next, I made customized Summer buckets for each of the kids where I put inside various outdoor fun toys. (Each kid got a pinwheel fan, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, a water gun and a water bottle. In addition to choosing a differed color bucket (and shovel) for each child, I personalized it by putting their name in vinyl on the front in a vinyl matching the color of the shovel (I had Cricut® Vinyl Sampler, Brights so I has all the colors I needed. Cricut has soo many vinyl colors and sampler sets available for projects like this.)
This project was super easy. The sand pail buckets and outside toys I got at the local $1 store. Each bucket and accessories cost $4. Not too bad. I was able to use only a small stripe of Vinyl for each name (and since the names were short I just applied each letter by hand saving my transfer tape for other larger projects.) The name design was easy. I just opened my Cricut Design Space™ and used the "Easton" Font for all the names. Then I cut, Weeded and applied the vinyl to the buckets.
If you need to order any of these supplies from Cricut.com use Promo Code: QUIETGROVE to get 10% off + free shipping!!
**Note this code does not work on Design Space Access, digital content, machines, EasyPress, Brightpad
Food
For the food decided to go mostly healthy. First, we made Fresh Fruit Kabobs ( bananas, pineapple, cantaloupe, strawberry, raspberry, and dark red seedless grapes) They were a hit with the kids and adults! Next, we had veggies set out on a large orange flower tray (I also found at the dollar store with Ranch dressing dip in the center. For the main dish we all had hot dogs on buns and for dessert, I made fun Teddy Bear Beach Themed Pudding Cups. You can get the Tutorial for the dessert cups HERE!
Party Fun
We had a few unexpected setbacks the day of the party which meant that we had the main party at dinner time instead of lunch, but that's ok. The kids still loved it and are now totally excited to spend hours and hours of fun playing together outside!
Are you looking for some other fun Summer projects that you can make with your Cricut? Well here are 8 great Summer Cricut projects from some of my favorite crafty bloggers.
Citrus Fruit Coasters from Tastefully Frugal
Red, White & Blue Heart Koozie from The Casual Craftlete
Soft Kitty Dalek T-Shirt from Housewife Eclectic
Personalized Kids Coasters from Crafting In The Rain
Trendy Phone Cover from Frenchie
Easy Like Summer Morning T-Shirt from 7 Alive
DIY Planner Dividers from Auntie Tay
Summertime Sign from Crafting In The Rain
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1st thing I'll make is onesies with iron on suspenders file you already shared!!
Im glad you liked those designs. Ill be sharing more cute ones soon!
Such fun party ideas! My boys love the tin can stilts but yours look MUCH cuter than our boring grey ones!
I would make my son some shirts with his cartoon characters on it
I would make birthday invitations for my daughter's 7th birthday.
I would make a card for my sister and her new hubby for their wedding.
I would make some new inserts for a scrapbook.
I would make decorations for my son's birthday party or lettering for my preschool's bulletin board.
So fun! Once we get some summer weather finally, we might do this too!
I would so enjoy making a stencil of french writing for a piece of furniture that I have chalk painted... it would b amazing to design my very own stencil and use vinyl for making the stensil.
I am not sure what I'd make first, if I won the Cricut, everything is super cute, but I'm definitely partial to the kids citrus coaster.