Harry Potter Party Ideas

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2 opens in theatres July 15th, so if you're planning a birthday party…a Harry Potter theme just might be the ticket!

The Budget Diet's Harry Potter party is ideal for boys or girls, ages 6 – 9. You'll find ideas for Harry Potter invitations, Harry Potter games, Harry Potter crafts, Harry Potter food and decorations. Mix and match…make the party work for you!

Total Cost: less than $50 (unless you hire a professional magician)
 

Crystal Ball Invitations:

• Use an old CD & write – PREDICTION – A HARRY POTTER PARTY.
• Using purple cardstock cut-out a base for your “crystal ball”.
• Write the details of the party on the base.

Harry Potter Games – The Sorting Hat:

• As the children arrive at the party, let them put the sorting hat on and reach into a bowl to choose their house (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff). The house will become their team for the party. The sorting hat can be made by forming a piece of black poster board into a cone and adding stars for decorations.
• The houses will rotate to Quidditch, Potions and Spells during the party. If you have less than 12 party guests, the children can go as 1 group to all the stations.

Quidditch – Harry Potter Game:

• Quidditch rules are very complex, so I've created a simplified version for your party…it's more like a combination of hide and seek and tag.
• Two houses will go to this station together.
• A large wooded area is ideal for this Harry Potter game.
• One person is “it” – also known as the Golden Snitch. The Golden Snitch should be an adult.
• The Golden Snitch will have a small rubber ball spray painted gold attached to their body with a flag from flag football.
• Both teams mount their brooms and try to capture the golden snitch. They must always be on their brooms.
• The team that captures the Golden Snitch wins!

Potions:

• Let the children create an explosion! Simply put 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a cup, and then slowly add vinegar.
• Harry Potter craft – make a wand! Give each child a 1 foot, 1/2″ round dowel, and let them decorate it by gluing ribbons, glitter and feathers. Curling ribbon easily wraps around the dowels.

Spells

• Have a magician or parent teach a magic trick or two.

Harry Potter Movie

• If your party is indoors or is a sleepover…make time to watch a Harry Potter movie – complete with popcorn & jelly beans!

Harry Potter Party Food – Harry Potter Recipes

• In addition to the cake, let the children frost & decorate an ice cream cone to look like a wizards hat. Make different colors of frosting and have lots of various spinkles.
• Serve Punch from the Swamp in a cauldron!
• Recipe for Punch from the Swamp:
• 2 liter bottle of Sprite or Seven-Up
• 1 large bottle of white grape juice
• 1, 12 oz. can frozen limeade concentrate
• Green food coloring…add a drop or two to get the desired swamp color!
• Mix all and chill.
• Add 1 package of gummy worms when serving.

Party Favors

• jelly beans
• small magic kit
• Harry Potter tatoos

Decorations

• We had my son's Harry Potter outdoors in the woods, & the natural setting was ideal & FREE!
• If you're hosting your party indoors…many of your Halloween decorations will work. Don't waste money at the party store on themed decorations!
• Black crepe paper streamers hung in doorways are very effective!

 
Do you have any Harry Potter party ideas?

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In full disclosure, this post contains affiliate links to help support The Budget Diet girl! My advice will always be unbiased and free, but free won’t pay the bills! Thanks!