DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Construction Birthday Ideas
(Bob the Builder, etc)

Do you have more ideas?  Feel free to share them over the discussion group and I'll add them to the site!

Our site has loads of printables for use at a Construction Birthday Party, including invitations, treat bags, coloring pages, bookmarks, doorknob holders and crafts.  Many of these are needed for every party and many of the others make great treat bag additions.  Check out our Construction Section for all of these and more.  

But we all know there's more to a party than things you print out!  Here are some ideas to fill in the gaps:

Pinata:  Rock Crusher!

This is about the simplest pinata I've ever made.

• Just take a LARGE balloon or paper bag and paper mache it (with two layers of newspaper).  (click here for details on how to paper mache)
• Leave the knobby part of the balloon or a small section of the bag uncovered.
• Once it's completely dry, pop the balloon
• If it didn't happen on it's own (when you popped the balloon) smash in a couple of the sides a little but (just press gently with your thumb).
• Add crumpled toilet paper to other areas (masking tape it on).
• Fill with treats (I like to put them in small plastic bags so they don't get any mache on them).
• Masking tape over the hole.
• Now add a second layer of paper mache over the entire rock.
• Use additional layers for older (stronger) children and fewer layers for younger kids.
• Once the rock is completely dry, paint it gray (poster paint works fine).  Let dry
• Optional:  Darken the gray paint a little bit with some black paint (or redden it a bit with some red paint).  Dip a sponge or cotton ball into the paint.  Dab it off on paper towel and then dab over the rock to make it look more like granite.
• Loop a rope around the rock a couple of times and hang from the ceiling.
• Let the kids crush the rock (hit it) to get at the treats

Legos, wood blocks or similar construction toys:

A great way to open or close the party is to have an area of legos or other construction toys or even to make the whole party Lego themed!  That way the kids will have something to occupy themselves as they arrive or leave.  Lego themed materials on our site:

• Lego cake
• Lego printable doorknob hangers 
  • These make good treats for the children to take home
  • you can let the children color them at the party for a quick craft
• Lego printable greeting cards (includes birthday invitations!)
• Lego Treat Bags or Gift Bags

Box Blocks:

For extra BIG fun, make box blocks before the party.  Take paper boxes, shoeboxes, etc (go to your local grocery store and see if they have any to donate).  Tape some of the lids securely shut, leave others without lids.  Optional:  paint the boxes in vibrant primary colors.  Let the kids stack and build to their hearts content!

Bean Bag Toss:

• make or purchase bean bags that are brick colored (dark red, dark orange, or brown).  You can have two different teams with two different colors of bricks.
• Have the children take turns throwing the bean bags at a toy plastic dump truck (or a truck you've made out of boxes).

fill with beans

Brick bean bags are very simple to make.

• Just fold pieces of felt in half.
• Stitch two sides.
• Add dried beans, rice or popcorn.
• Stitch last side.

How to make a box dump truck for the game:

• Take a large box (photocopy paper size or so) with the lid off.
• Tape a smaller box (shoebox) with the lid on, onto the front. (I stood it on it's size so it was taller and stubbier)
• Paint the entire thing yellow (your child will enjoy helping!)
• Paint on some black details for the windows, handle, etc.
• Paint 4 paper plates black (snack size is better than dinner size).
• Tape them to the truck once all the paint is dry.
• Use construction paper or paint to add tail lights and head lights
• Use a paper towel roll (painted gray or covered in Aluminum foil) as a smokestack)

Sandbox or Dirt Pile:

This is simple, but fun.  Place loads of construction toys in the sandbox (shovels, dumptrucks, etc) and let the partygoers have fun.  If you don't have a sandbox, consider purchasing a pile of dirt for your garden and have it dumped on your driveway or backyard.  After the kids are done making a mess, you can get dear hubby to wheel it to the appropriate spots in your garden *grin*.  Caution:  forewarn the parents of the partygoers that they'll be getting dirty, so they can dress appropriately!

Keri contributes: 

• Make a BINGO game using pictures, signs or words following the party theme.