Party: Art Themed Painting Birthday

My kids both have birthdays in July and instead of planning separate parties, we do one big joint party. Last year we celebrated their 1st and 4th birthdays with a superhero themed party. This year we celebrated their 2nd and 5th birthdays with an art themed painting party at As You Wish, a local pottery painting place in Arizona. I can’t say enough good things about the As You Wish staff. A typical party is pretty low maintenance and the staff takes care of it all. Because I’m a crazy party planning addict, I brought in all my decor and the staff was incredibly accommodating. 

I found inspiration for the decor from our adorable paint tray invitations from Pear Tree Greetings. I stuck with a rainbow and paint splatter theme. I knew I had to have that ruffle table cloth as soon as I saw it on Etsy and it was the centerpiece of the party. Speaking of centerpieces, I wrapped empty paint cans from the hardware store with paint splatter vinyl and tied colorful balloons to them for the tables. I filled a larger paint can with flowers for the dessert table. The backdrop of the table were large photos of my children painting, mounted on canvas and placed on an art easel. I hot glued paint brushes to the photos. Paint splatter placemats from Hobby Lobby were placed on the tables under miniature canvases and easels with each child’s first initial.  

Like I mentioned before, the ruffle table cloth was my must have item for the party. My mom made the gorgeous cake and I had her decorate the bottom layer of the cake to mimic the ruffled tablecloth. The top layer was decorated in fondant paint splatters. I love when the cake matches the decor so perfectly! I added miniature canvas and easels with the birthday boy and girl’s photos as cake toppers. 

The kids enjoyed decorating their own cupcakes with Jelly Belly candy, served in paint palettes. My mom crafted the edible paint brush cupcake toppers out of royal icing. She also made the adorable paint palette cookies. Make sure to check out her royal icing tips and tricks. I served the cookies on a large paint palette, running with the painting theme. For the last bit of sugar overload, I made edible rice cereal treat paint brushes.  

The kids ranged in age from 2 – 5 years old and I was a little nervous about how well the younger kids would do at a pottery painting place. While the younger children required more assistance, everyone had a blast and was totally into it. We had them pick from a variety of different pottery pieces and they enjoyed being able to pick their special piece to paint. Such a fun birthday party and I highly recommend it to anyone with a child who loves art. The best party of hosting a party outside of your home? No cleanup! 

 I found Amelia’s dress and Logan’s matching bow tie on Etsy. They matched the tablecloth and theme perfectly and I’m still swooning over that dress! Raven Boutique sent me a couple of hair accessory options, crafted to match the theme. I loved them both that we had to do a little hair accessory change midway through the party. Totally normal, right?  

Practical and useful party favors are my favorite! Going with the art theme, I filled paint cans with water colors and other art supplies (stickers, glitter, etc.) from CraftProjectIdeas.com. They were a hit and I got lots of after party pictures of kids painting at home. The vinyl on the paint cans came from Expressions Vinyl and I cut the paint drippings using my personal cutting machine. 

Party Photos & Styling: See Vanessa Craft

Venue: As You Wish Pottery Painting Place 

Invitations: Pear Tree Greetings

Cake & Cookies: Grandma

Fabric Garland: Fabric Works by LauraL on Etsy

Dress & Bow Tie: Etsy

Hair Accessories: Raven Boutique

Ruffle Tablecloth: Etsy

Printable Paint Brush Tags: Etsy 

Paint Can Favors Tutorial