This Jekyll and Hyde Sock Monkey Costume (Amazon.com- $27.99) would be a perfect gift for your little monkey.
For the past several years, I've had a little obsession with sock monkeys...not quite sure why, but I love 'em! So, I got thinking. Hey, wouldn't a sock monkey party be adorable? Pretty soon I was sitting at my desk, clicking away. What I found was that there aren't a lot of sock monkey party supplies out there. There are, however, plenty of cute ideas. It took a little searching to find them though!
Invitations: I would probably recommend printing off clip art sock monkeys, then writing the information on the back. Here is the link to a sock monkey stencil that could be useful. You could also purchase sock monkey stickers ($0.99 for a sheet) and use them to decorate blank note cards, which you can find in a variety of colors (although the plain ones are cheaper) at almost any craft store.
Decorations:
While the kids aren't looking, hide your little monkeys around a room. Then, simply let the kids go find them all- it sounds silly, but the kids loved it so much. We played it many, many times and I think they would have continued playing! Another fun variation- turn off the lights and do a flashlight safari!
Crafts:
Sock monkey love
Activities:
Refreshments:
Okay, so these are pretty much the cutest cupcakes I've ever seen and they look just like sock monkeys! I found the idea on yaknowwhatimean.com where you can find the recipe.
Other refreshment ideas?
Favors:
For the favor bags, just take brown paper lunch sacks, yellow construction paper, adhesive, and a black marker. Cut out yellow circles for the monkey's nose and mouth. Draw a nostrils on the top of them circle and a line for the mouth, then draw two eyes on the bag. Glue the yellow circle to the bag. Hey! You have a monkey favor bag! I also saw this done with cups at marthastewart.com.
You can see this in the picture below. Obviously, they have also added ears and a tail. I don't how easy that would be to do to a paper bag- maybe you could at least do the tail...:
There are not a lot of good sock monkey favors out there. I found a few things, but they are very expensive- and that defeats the purpose of this site! So, I had to get a bit creative and this is what I came up with:
Invitations: I would probably recommend printing off clip art sock monkeys, then writing the information on the back. Here is the link to a sock monkey stencil that could be useful. You could also purchase sock monkey stickers ($0.99 for a sheet) and use them to decorate blank note cards, which you can find in a variety of colors (although the plain ones are cheaper) at almost any craft store.
Decorations:
- Red, light blue, and brown balloons, streamers, napkins, plates, etc.
- Monkey safari- I have tries this before with a group of kids and it is a HIT!
While the kids aren't looking, hide your little monkeys around a room. Then, simply let the kids go find them all- it sounds silly, but the kids loved it so much. We played it many, many times and I think they would have continued playing! Another fun variation- turn off the lights and do a flashlight safari!
- The classics (with a twist)- Of course, there are always variations of classic party games- 'Pin the tail on the monkey', 'Monkey, Monkey, Banana', 'Sock Monkey Says'...kids always like games they're familiar with.
- Monkeys and Mangoes- Supplies: Orange balloons
Crafts:
- Make sock monkeys! Collect a bunch of old (clean) socks, googly eyes, felt, glitter (if you dare!), etc. and let the kids make their own sock monkey puppets to take home. Of course, you'll need hot glue for this, so there should be some parent supervision.
- If you're throwing a party for a younger child, just print some sock monkey coloring sheets. Find them for free online:
Sock monkey love
Activities:
- Read a sock monkey book- There is a series of sock monkey books by Cece Bell. Titles include Sock Monkey Boogie-Woogie, Sock Monkey Rides Again, etc.
Refreshments:
Okay, so these are pretty much the cutest cupcakes I've ever seen and they look just like sock monkeys! I found the idea on yaknowwhatimean.com where you can find the recipe.
Other refreshment ideas?
- Banana milkshake/smoothie- My favorite recipe is just frozen bananas (wrap in foil and freeze for about 24 hrs. before using) and milk- very healthy and I think it tastes a bit like a milkshake. But if you want something a little sweeter, add vanilla ice cream.
- Bananas
- Banana bread
- Banana split
- Monkey bread
- Animal crackers
- Animal fruitsnacks
- Peanuts (Of course, check for allergies)
- Tropical fruit punch (Since monkeys live in jungles)
Favors:
For the favor bags, just take brown paper lunch sacks, yellow construction paper, adhesive, and a black marker. Cut out yellow circles for the monkey's nose and mouth. Draw a nostrils on the top of them circle and a line for the mouth, then draw two eyes on the bag. Glue the yellow circle to the bag. Hey! You have a monkey favor bag! I also saw this done with cups at marthastewart.com.
You can see this in the picture below. Obviously, they have also added ears and a tail. I don't how easy that would be to do to a paper bag- maybe you could at least do the tail...:
There are not a lot of good sock monkey favors out there. I found a few things, but they are very expensive- and that defeats the purpose of this site! So, I had to get a bit creative and this is what I came up with:
- Barrel of Monkeys Keychain (Amazon.com- $0.98 each)
- Banana-flavored Laffy Taffy (Amazon.com- $11.27 for 165 pieces)
- Banana Flavored Now and Laters (Amazon.com- 48 4 piece bars for $4.97)
- Mini bananas
- Bag of peanuts (Check for allergies first!)
- Monkey stickers, pencils, etc. (Look at Oriental Trading Co.- It's not sock monkey, but it's monkey! Or you could always make your own stickers...)
- Animal crackers