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Clifford the Big Red Dog
Birthday Party Planning Guide
Exclusively at BirthdayExpress.com
BirthdayExpress.com is every host's secret for making birthday wishes come true! Our Clifford the Big Red Dog party planning guide offers step-by-step instruction to help you plan, prepare and execute a memorable day for the birthday guest of honor. The helpful checklist ensures that no detail is forgotten, while the themed games and recipes take the guesswork out of finding treats and activities that complement your décor. And we know you're busy, so the entire guide is printable – keeping you organized on the fly, from balloon blow-up to confetti clean-up!
Party Checklist
4-6 Weeks Before the Party
Select Date:
Time:
Place:
Plan a safe, inviting place for kids to have fun. Set time to 2-3 hours for young children, and 3-4 hours for older kids.
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Create Guest List
Just fill out the handy list in this guide!
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BirthdayExpress.com is the place! You’ll find over 150 party themes, with party pack options for all of them. Expecting more guests? Choose our Pack Add-On option
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Order Birthday Costume/Outfit & Gifts
BirthdayExpress.com has lots of fun choices. Look for our costumes, T-shirts, hats and special birthday gifts designed to match our party themes.
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Book Entertainment (optional)
2 Weeks Before the Party
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Order Cake
Schedule to pick it up one day before the party.
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Let the birthday child help by adhering the stamps and putting the invitations in the mailbox.
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Create List of Parent Phone Numbers
Keep on hand in case of emergency.
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Plan Party Menu
Check out the recipes in this guide. Ask parents if kids have any food allergies.
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Choose Party Games & Collect Party Supplies
This guide has ideas that match your party theme!
2-3 Days Before the Party
1 Day Before the Party
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Make Food & Drinks, Bake/Get Cake, Buy Ice
Set out chilled/heated foods just before kids eat.
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Childproof & Decorate Party Area
Remove breakable items and objects that could prevent guests from moving freely. Decorate with balloons, crepe paper, and other items included in your party pack.
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Set Up Party Games, Fill Favor Boxes & Piñatas
Invite your party child to help!
Party Day!
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Fill Birthday Balloons with Helium
After the Party
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Include party photos!
Activities
Pin the Tail on Clifford
Supplies:
- poster board
- large image of Clifford
- red card stock
- metallic paint pen
- double-stick tape
- blindfold
Directions:
This game is played just like 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey'. Before the party, draw a large Clifford on a piece of poster board (or just print off a large image of Clifford and paste it onto the poster board). Cut out "tails" from card stock paper (one for each guest). On the day of the party, add double-stick tape to the "tails" and write each guest's name on the front. Blindfold and spin each player around three times before pointing her toward the poster. The player who places her tail closest to Clifford's backside is the winner!
The Big Red Carpet Dog!
Supplies:
- Clifford movies/cartoon shorts
Directions:
Get guests in the mood for raging red party by playing a Clifford movie while you finish up the final details – such as when you need a little time to light the candles, or quickly set up a game.
Red Rover
Directions:
Since Clifford is a big red dog, this is the perfect party game for this theme party! Have the children split up into 2 teams. The teams stand on opposite sides of the room (or yard) and link hands. When the game starts, one team will say "Red Rover Red Rover send _____ over." Who's ever name they say has to run toward the team and try to break the chain between two of the players. If they do not break it, they must join that team. If they do, they can go back to their original team. Repeat the process with the other side and keep alternating until one team has all but one of the players.
Clifford Piñata
Supplies:
Directions:
Piñatas are always a hit at birthday parties. Throw your partying puppies a bone with the Clifford piñata, which perfectly matches your party theme! Pull-string piñatas are especially fun, because kids choose a ribbon and pull together—so everyone wins! They can also be opened the traditional way (by hitting it with a stick) – either way, remember to add the piñata fillers and let the festivities begin!
Recipes
Puppy Chow
Estimated Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 box of Rice Chex®
- 1 cup peanut butter, creamy
- ½ cup margarine
- 3 cups confectioners' sugar
Supplies:
- glass bowl
- large plastic bag
- wax paper
Directions:
Everyone loves puppy chow – just make sure to ask children if they have nut allergies before serving! Microwave the chocolate chips, peanut butter and margarine in a glass bowl, until all ingredients are melted (check frequently to prevent scorching). Stir and mix in the cereal until all of the pieces are coated. Add your powdered sugar to the plastic bag, followed by the cereal pieces and shake until all of the cereal has a powdered sugar coating. Spread the pieces, in an even layer, onto the wax paper and refrigerate for an hour (to help set sugar). Serve with Red Dog Punch!
Dog Bone Sandwiches
Estimated Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- bread
- turkey
- American cheese
- mayonnaise
Supplies:
Directions:
Prepare turkey sandwiches (or the guest of honor's favorite sandwich) and use our dog bone cookie cutter to transform your party platter into a pile of dog bone treats!
Red Dog Punch
Estimated Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 quarts of lemon-lime soda
- raspberry sherbet
- 1 can of frozen fruit punch, thawed
Supplies:
Directions:
Get ready for some fizzy fun! At serving time, place raspberry sherbet in punch bowl (to cut down on splashes). Then add the fruit punch and lemon-lime soda – the punch will begin to fizz. Stir and serve with red and white striped straws, of course!
Hot Dog Buffet
Estimated Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- hot dogs
- hot dog buns
- condiments, your choosing (i.e. ketchup, mustard, cheese, chili, relish, onion, etc.)
Directions:
What kid doesn't like hot dogs? Let them make it their own as you set up a "dog grooming" station, complete with condiments and relishes of your choosing.