GOONIES PARTY: Dane {LOVES} Sloth!

When Dane originally told me he wanted to have a GOONIES party, I have to admit, I spent a couple of weeks trying to convince him that maybe he wanted a different party theme…one that was a little easier to plan perhaps – LOL! He wasn't havin' it...sometimes I forget that I have a SUPREMELY opinionated 4-yr old on my hands. He had his mind made-up and luckily I figured out a way to make it work!

I decided we’d have GOONIES elements that would make the party pop, add-in some pirate decorations, skulls, lots of treasure chests, treats (THE RICH STUFF) and hope it would all come together. I tried really hard to not make it just another pirate party and didn’t want a Halloween feel…not that there's anything wrong with either scenario...it's just, this kid wanted GOONIES...and that's what he was gettin! I think the end result was more than I could have hoped for!
 

Squared Party Printables created a GOONIES themed party package for me. The printables really gave the party a cohesive feel! I wanted to incorporate several quotes from the movie in the printables. They looked great framed throughout the party and Dane said he wants to use them as decorations in his room now too! I used the 2” cupcake toppers on SO many things…cupcakes (of course), Cake Pops, Cupcake Shooters, favor bags and several other treats!

I found a few different GOONIES movie posters online and had them hanging throughout the house. I told Dane we could frame ONE of the posters to hang in his room after the party....he picked the Truffle Shuffle poster (I couldn't have been MORE proud!) The FUN custom party banner, created by Puddin' Pies, is also going to be decorating his room!

I also framed some printed GOONIES cards from Thunderpeep Designs. She had created caricature-style renditions of some of the key characters, Sloth, Mama Fratelli and One Eyed Willy…another FUN way to tie in the movie.

I used a TON of borrowed items to decorate, along with LOTS of thrift store and garage sale finds. My Grandma had most of the trunks that we used just tucked away in her basement. I also managed to borrow a Statue of David! I’m not sure that all of our guests GOT the movie reference on that one…but the TRUE GOONIES fans  thought it was hilarious!

The favor station included lots of FUN goodies including Ring Pops, Rock Candy, Skull rings, necklaces, jewels, golden coin candy, candied cornfetti, eye patches and Pinchers of POWER, to name a few. {You say Pinchers of Peril...I say Pinchers of Power....let the debate begin!} I put out paper bags and skeleton stickers so the kids could decorate their own goody-sacks to fill-up!

I also had some super COOL favors for the grown-ups at the party. Inspired by the Lost Garden Wishing Well scene from the movie. Local, custom jewelry shop, Two Jennifers created stamped quarter charms! Some were stamped with “My Wish” and some with “My Dream.” They make great necklaces or even key chains and turned out AWESOME! I even snagged a stamped quarter dated 1981...the year I was born....now THAT'S a treasure - LOL!

I created ALL of the desserts for the party! I love doing it and had LOTS of fun ideas once my wheels started turnin'!

To honor our favorite character from the movie, SLOTH, I made several ROCKY ROAD-inspired desserts! I whipped-up some Rocky Road Cupcakes...Chocolate Cupcakes, topped with chocolate syrup, mini-marshmallows and finished with a mound of marshmallow buttercream frosting, crushed walnuts and MORE chocolate syrup...these things are INSANELY delicious!!! I dipped giant marshmallows in chocolate and rolled them in walnuts, and also made some Rocky Road cupcake shooters.

I even pre-scooped Rocky Road ice cream into cupcake liners, stuck 'em in the freezer for quick-serving…and then forgot to get them out during the party! It HAS been nice having grab-n-go ice cream scoops for the past couple of weeks though :)

 Another fun treat, these “Buried Treasure” Cupcakes and Cupcake Shooters, they had a layer of Crunch Coat topping under the frosting…SO fun!

I have to say, out of ALL the desserts…the Cake Pops STOLE the show! Dane had requested some skeleton pops and…SLOTH Cake Pops! I like that he has that much FAITH in my Cake Poppin' skills. I figured Sloth was already lumpy to start with, so they were worth a shot – LOL! They turned out hilariously cute…I was literally laughing out-loud as I was making them.

Another fun movie reference, I wanted to serve a drink that looked like the grody-water Mama Fratelli serves to the boys in the Lighthouse Diner. I made an Apple Juice/White Grape Juice combination and put it in our big beverage dispenser. Next to it, I put a framed printable with a quote from that scene in the movie…very funny...and very convincing!

One activity the kids really enjoyed was digging for buried treasure in our backyard. We buried a bunch of seashells and colored gems in our sandbox and the kids dug away! They put their buried treasure in some SUPER cute, hand-stamped canvas bags from Thunderpeep Designs to take home.

We also had a bench in the backyard so the kids could walk-the-plank! I planned on having a Truffle Shuffle dance-off, but the kids were having SO much fun playing outside, we just never got around to it!

When I started planning the GOONIES party Dane asked me if we could invite Sloth! I immediately got online, found a Sloth mask, Superman Shirt, red suspenders and made the purchase. The next day, Dane informed me that maybe he shouldn’t come to the party because, “Sloth kinda freaks me out sometimes Mom!” LOL! I told him it was rude to uninvite people, but if he was scared when Sloth got to the party, he didn’t have to see him. Well…Sloth arrived…Baby Ruth Bars in-hand…and most of the kids were willing to go up to him since he was giving out full-size candy bars. Dane hid in his playhouse and told Sloth he could just toss one up to him…SO funny!

After all of our guests went home, Dane told me his favorite part of the party was when Sloth came, but quickly added that he didn’t want him to visit again anytime soon!

This party was SO much fun to plan! He's STILL talking about it, and mentioning that Sloth came to his party...to say, the checkout ladies at Target, or anyone else that makes eye contact - LOL! I really can't WAIT to see what he has planned for NEXT year :)

Harper wasn't left-out of the FUN either...she went right up to SLOTH and claimed her Baby Ruth! Plus...she was the BEST DRESSED girl at the party! Check out this BEYOND ADORABLE upcycled GOONIES dress created by Little Overcoat! It is possibly the CUTEST, COOLEST, SWEETEST dress I've EVER seen!

One last thing...I just HAD to share this custom GOONIES snuggle blankie and pillow I had made for the Birthday Boy! You may recall the Elmo version his sister received for her birthday {HERE}...well...Dane was UBER jealous and asked for one of his own. Puddin' Pies delivered yet again! It's SO soft, snuggly, and TOUGH...plus, he traded in his old, yucky "baby" blankies to have it, so this thing was worth EVERY penny - LOL! I seriously think I need a grown-up sized one...I'm thinking a cupcake theme would be good ;)

 ~Audrey

Sources

Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats – Party desserts, photos and event styling

Squared Party Printables – GOONIES party package

Thunderpeep Designs – GOONIES cards and treasure pouches

Two Jennifers – Stamped Quarter Charms

Green Party Goods – Paper Straws, used as sticks for Cake Pops!

Puddin’ Pies – Custom Party Banner
Little Overcoat - Upcycled Toddler GOONIES dress

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