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.

• The Gag - Have some childish fun with pranks, practical jokes, card tricks, magic tricks and more. Whoopee cushions, garlic candy, fake food, sneezing powder, squirting toilet seats, fart machines, shocking games and all sorts of stuff to get up to mischief with. Delivery US wide and internationally.
   
• Printable Birthday Games - Print and personalize games to entertain and break the ice at parties. Play bingo, charades, trivia games about the host/birthday person and more. Check out the games for children for some old favorites like pin the tail on the donkey. Print straight from your computer, no waiting for delivery times.

Clothing and Costumes

Dress-ups was always one of the best parts of kid's parties. Dressing up as a favorite 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.

• Buy Costumes - One of the world's largest costume and party shops with over 15,000 products available online. Delivers US wide and to some international destinations. Same day shipping is available on most domestic orders placed before 4:00PM (CST). Adults' costumes include:
  • Retro TV & Movies | Fairytale Characters | Occupations | Superheroes


• Costume Express - Costume superstore specializing in full costumes and accessories. All shipping and handling charges are based on your merchandise total. Ships within US and Canada. Premium, Express, and 3-Day delivery options are only available for orders shipped within the United States.
  • Careers & Occupations costumes
  • Superheroes costumes
  • Princesses & Divas costumes
     
• Costume Craze - Thousands of costumes and accessories for adults, teens, children and pets. From Elvis and Madonna to clowns and ninjas, there's a costume for every theme. See their full range of adults' costumes and teens' costumes or browse by category. Delivery US wide with flat rate delivery to the Continental US.

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 color theme.

• Birthday in a Box - More than 100 party themes. Buy individual supplies or a 'birthday box' suitable for 8 people. Shop for personalized items or buy party supplies including solid color partyware, balloons, piñatas, decorations and more. Delivery worldwide.
   
• Birthday Express - Specializing in children's birthday parties and events, Birthday Express have heaps of colorful and fun party products. Over 150 themed party packs including Super Mario Bros, Hello Kitty, Transformers, Indiana Jones and more. Shop by theme or product, delivery US wide and to Canada. View all party themes or jump straight to some popular themes: Super Mario Brothers | Star Wars | Littlest Pet Shop | Thomas The Tank Engine | Scooby Doo | Sesame Street
   
• Buy Costumes - One of the world's largest costume and party shops with over 15,000 products available online. Delivers US wide and to some international destinations. Huge range of party products includes:
  

  Care Bears Dr. Seuss GI JOE Land Before Time Mickey Mouse Peter Pan Scooby-Doo

  Sesame Street Sleeping Beauty Snow White Speed Racer Spider-man Star Trek Star Wars

  Strawberry Shortcake Superman Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Little Mermaid Thomas The Tank Engine Winnie the Pooh

• ShindigZ - Thousands of party products for themed parties, birthdays, weddings, graduations, Halloween, office parties, holidays, special events and more. ShindigZ is a family owned and run, based in Indiana with delivery US wide and to Canada.

Party Ideas

Organizing 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 color or theme for your decor and tableware. This could be your favorite color, a much-loved children's movie or a cartoon character. Use bright colors, balloons and streamers.
   
• Themes: bright primary colors, schoolboys and schoolgirls, what you wanted to be as a child and favorite 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

• Candy Crate - Hard to find candy, retro candy & unique gifts. Make sure your next party is well stocked with all your old favorites, buy in bulk or by the piece. They also have a range of chocolate moulds and candy making supplies. Based in California with delivery US wide and internationally. Browse their full range or see their Retro Candy
   
• Gourmet Cookie Bouquets - Delicious gourmet cookie bouquets, giant fortune cookies and chocolate covered oreos. The cookies are baked fresh daily with all natural ingredients and no preservatives, hand-decorated and shipped right away. See their party favors for small snacks for everyone. Delivery to the 48 contiguous states only.
   
• Other food ideas include:
  • Fairy bread
  • Cup cakes
  • Sausage rolls and party pies - don't forget the tomato sauce!
  • Ice cream cake
  • Brightly colored soft drinks and punch
  • Sandwich platters
  • Fruit platters