Willy Wonka Party

Last weekend we celebrated my oldest sons birthday with a big birthday bash.  I'm all about themes...for Halloween we always go with a family theme, for birthdays we go with a theme.  It makes things more fun.  And I must note that since I only do a birthday party (well a big one with friends) every 3 years (1 boy a year), I go a little nutso.  I go WAY above and beyond.  I'm just crazy like that.  Its just too much fun for me!  I have to remind my husband that if I actually had money to spend, he'd better watch out!

The theme for this party was Willy Wonka.  You can say my family is a little obsessed with Willy Wonka...the original, Gene Wilder version, that is...the GOOD one.  REALLY is there even a comparison?  It's just so clever!  We've read Charlie & the Chocolate Factory for our night time reading.  My boys watch the movie pretty much once a week.  We quote it on a regular basis.  It's just so good!  Really what is NOT to love about it (other then the creepy boat ride in the tunnel)?

I just had SO much FUN putting this all together and so much MORE FUN watching all of the kids enjoy it!

Here's the invites (modeled after the Wonka bars in the movie):

I printed them out, then wrapped them around a real Scrumdiddlyumptious bar (found them at Target).  Here's what the backs looked like:

Inside each wrapper was a golden ticket (this image is B&W, but it was printed on gold paper):

I'm SOOO bummed that I don't have a good working camera right now.  So all I have to share with you are from my husband's iPhone, which only takes good pictures when in perfect sunlight!  So most all of these are blurry or grainy.  I'm REALLY bummed!

The day of the party we actually had 18 family members staying at our house.  I really wanted the "Chocolate Factory" to be a surprise to everyone, so I had to barricade the living room so no one would go in.

As the kids arrived, we had them wait downstairs for our VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY GUEST.  

Can you guess who it might be?

Why it's Mr. Willy Wonka himself!! (aka my husband)

The first order of business was to have each child sign Wonka's contract.

Cue "Pure Imagination" and now it's time to introduce the Chocolate Factory!  Sooo Exciting!

My son's expression and excitement was worth every minute of work and every late night I spent getting ready for his party!

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Chocolate Factory!

Here's a closer look:

There was Wonka Vision, with Mike TeeVee Dinners, Fizzy Lifting Drink Testing Room, Willy Wonka & an Oompa Loompa portrait, the candy man's Candy Shop, a candy tree, and the goose that lays the golden chocolate eggs!  Phew!

But what would a proper chocolate factory be without a

CHOCOLATE WATERFALL!

No other factory in the world mixes its chocolate by waterfall. 

But it's the only way if you want it just right. 

Mmm!

I don't blaim Augustus Gloop in the slightest.  I would have done the same thing in his position!

The chocolate waterfall ended in a scrumptious fountain of silky milk chocolate...

...flowing into a chocolate river scattered with delicious treats.  

My personal favorite (from the movie AND the party)...the mushroom filled with creamy goodness!  My 4-year-old was so upset when I dipped a strawberry in it.  He told me "No Mom, you're supposed to scoop it up with your hand, just like the movie!"  Mmm, wouldn't I have LOVED to do that, but somehow I refrained.

My lil' sis made the cutest Wonka cupcakes EVER!  And they were SO delicious!  You seriously would never be able to guess that they were gluten-free, dairy-free!

For activities, we played a golden chocolate goose relay (the kids raced to get the golden egg and run back to their spot first), pop Violet Beauregarde (which we didn't actually play since a few of the kids were a little more than bothered by popping balloons), 

Wonka Trivia, and creating your own Everlasting Gobstopper in the Inventing Room.

I think the biggest hit of the party was watching everyone pose as Willy Wonka & his Oompa Loompa pal!

Such a fun, fun party!  

Thanks to everyone who came and enjoyed everything.  And thanks to my son most of all for having a birthday and loving Willy Wonka as much as I do!


{Click here to download all of my Wonka printables...beware its a BIG file.}