Second Childhood Party

This themed party is a chance to indulge in nostalgia by playing party games and eating the horrible 'food' we loved as children. This party also provides a valid excuse to act like a child (at least for a few hours) and to celebrate growing older, not wiser. This party theme is recommended for adults who have a healthy sense of the ridiculous and like to laugh at themselves. Scroll down the page for entertainment, costume, food and decorating ideas. 

Entertainment

The entertainment is an essential part of a children's party. For adults, reviving games at parties is an easy way to make the experience authentic and fun. Playing music from your childhood also helps to set the scene.

• Best Games - From old favourites like Monopoly and Scrabble to challenging 3D puzzles, Best Games specialise in a wide range of board games, card games, strategy games, traditional games, jigsaw puzzles, and brainteasers for all kinds of groups.
   
• Coolthings - blow off some steam outside with backyard activities. Play with air bazookas, inflatable boxing gloves and miniature rocket launchers. Tasmania based with delivery throughout Australia. Other cool things include:
   
  • Venom Ozone 3 Channel R/C Helicopter (from Coolthings)
    Easy to fly for the beginner, with just enough manoeuvrability for the more advanced pilot!

Clothing and Costumes

Dress-ups was always one of the best parts of kid's parties. Dressing up as a favourite character from your childhood, or as what you wanted to be when you grew up (eg firefighter or nurse) adds a fun dimension to the party.

• Costume Box - 1000s of Fancy Dress costumes. Their adult costumes include movie and TV characters, fantasy and occupational costumes. All costumes displayed are in stock to ensure fast delivery. Sydney-based with flat rate delivery throughout Australia. Postage by airmail to New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore.
   
• Party Costumes - Build your own dress-up outfit with their costumes and accessories. Based in Brisbane with flat rate delivery to anywhere in Australia. 
  

  wigs hats masks

  disguises gloves necklaces

  pantyhose weapons novelties and pranks

Party Products

Decorations for this party are easy to find because there is so much partyware designed for children. To narrow down your choices, consider having a theme for decorations, tableware and food. This could be something that you liked as a child (like fairies or cowboys) or a colour theme.

• Party Products Australia - over 6000 party items with kid's themes such as cowboy, princess and superhero. Based in Brisbane with flat rate shipping Australia wide.
   
• Parties Online - Sydney-based party products store in operation since 1991. They specialise in themed and coloured tableware, balloons costumes and more. Have a look at their range for Dress ups and Fancy Costumes, Balloons, Birthday Party Supplies and Disposable Party Supplies.
   
• Twiggi - Vibrant and modern children's party products. Themed party products, decorations and delicious cakes - everything you could possibly need for a kid's party. Based in Victoria with flat rate delivery Australia wide.
   
• Rainbow Designs - Funky noodle boxes filled with confectionery. These noodle boxes can be personalised and make great party favours. Based in Port Macquarie, delivery Australia-wide.  
  

Party Ideas

Organising a child-themed adult party is much the same as as running a regular children's party.  The food and games can all be the same, but on a slightly bigger scale. Remember to have a camera handy to capture special (and hilarious) moments.

• Invitations: Set the mood by using proper children's party invitations. If you are having an additional theme or want guests to dress up, specify this in the invitation.  If this is the case, send the invitations out early so guests have time to buy their costumes. Remember to provide your details so guests can RSVP.
  
• Decor: Have a colour or theme for your decor and tableware. This could be your favourite colour, a much-loved children's movie or a cartoon character. Use bright colours, balloons and streamers.
  
• Themes: bright primary colours, schoolboys and schoolgirls, what you wanted to be as a child and favourite childhood TV/book/movie characters. Set the scene by playing some of the popular music from your childhood.
  
• Activities: Play a few traditional children's games like treasure hunt, musical chairs, piñata and pass-the-parcel. Just remember to choose games that your guests will be comfortable with so that it's fun for everyone. This is also a great time to bring out the camera.

Party Food

Children's parties usually involve copious amounts of junk food being eaten as quickly as possible.  At this party, the sandwiches might actually get eaten so provide some healthy food as well. Adults are also more likely to notice presentation, so put a bit more effort into this than you would at a children's party.

• Fairy bread
• Cup cakes
• Sausage rolls and party pies - don't forget the tomato sauce!
• Ice cream cake
• Lollies - try getting some of the lollies you ate when you were a kid.
• Brightly coloured soft drinks and punch
• Sandwich platters
• Fruit platters
   
• See also our Fairytale party ideas