When someone explores, they are filled with wonder, imagination, excitement and determination. Dull moments are few with surprises popping up here and there. Using the theme “explore” at a birthday party means endless fun and activities for all!

As soon as guests arrive, have everyone construct their very own binoculars – this will instantly make them feel like explorers. These are fun and easy and can be made as simple or as fancy as you want them. I love the color yellow so I just glued a strip of yellow construction paper over two toilet paper rolls. Easy and inexpensive. You can use string if your kids want a neck strap or crayons/markers for a fun design!

Now, send guests on an adventure! You can set up a scavenger hunt where guests will use their binoculars to find various clues hidden around your house or yard that will eventually lead to treasure. There are some pretty awesome, already set up, scavenger hunt lists on Pinterest if you’re needing a little creative boost. Hide and seek is also a fun explorer game. Make the birthday boy or girl the first explorer (the seeker) while all other guests act as animals (the hiders). This is a fun game because it involves another easy and inexpensive craft opportunity. The explorer will already have their binoculars, the animals will just need their handmade masks…

What you will need to make an awesome mask (which can all be found at any Dollar Store):

• Paper plates
• Markers/crayons/paint and paint brushes
• Popsicle sticks
• Glue
• Scissors
• Optional: Feathers, glitter, pom poms, beads, cotton balls, etc.

All the masks should be different animals (I made a lion) and every guest should make one. Once masks are made, have the explorer close his or her eyes and count to thirty. No peeking! When time is up, the explorer can use their binocular eyes and ears to find the animals. Call out an animal for the explorer to find. For example, if there is a giraffe, call out, “Find the giraffe!” Animals must expose a part of their mask so that the explorer can see  which one they are but should still be hidden enough to make it challenging. Once all animals have been found, start the game over with a new explorer until everyone has gotten their turn.

Always remember to let loose and enjoy the party as much as your guest of honor is. Explore and be ‘wonder-full’. You may surprise yourself and come up with your own birthday adventure!