How To Create A Possum Magic Themed Birthday Party
I do love a good party, and I admit I sometimes go a little overboard with my party planning. But the reality on this occasion was that Christmas was also around the corner, so I was looking for a theme that would be simple but clever to implement.
I was initially planning a train-themed birthday party for Ike, but Danny’s suggestion of a Possum Magic party, after seeing the stage musical, was too enthusiastic to refuse.
Possum Magic, by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas, is a brilliant book in which to base a birthday party. Danny was able to play a huge role in brainstorming and planning her brother’s party because she knew the story well and was also able to refer to the illustrations, which both provide wonderful party ideas and inspiration.
I’d love to share Ike’s Possum Magic party with you. It was a fabulous morning. The weather was incredibly kind to us. Guests were relaxed and, second to talking about how healthy Ike looked, the Possum Magic theme and food were the talk of the party. I’m thankful to my baby sister for taking these beautiful photos for me to share. Feel free to borrow or adapt any of our ideas for your own:
- Possum Magic birthday party of your own
- Australia Day celebrations
- Follow up reading activities
POSSUM MAGIC PARTY INVITATIONS
I wanted to make the invitations a keepsake that guests could keep. I kept them simple, and included the recipe for a pavlova birthday cake that guests could keep. You can download the version of this recipe here. It’s a delicious dessert to serve on Australia Day.
POSSUM MAGIC PARTY CLOTHES
Danny believes that a party doesn’t count unless everyone dresses up. I tried my best to find possum costumes but was unsuccessful. I created themed t-shirts that the children could wear to the event.
I edited the tee shirt image before printing and added a number 1 to Hush’s tummy. I added a 1 to Hush’s stomach before printing Ike’s t-shirt. You are violating copyright by doing this for anything other than personal use.
Danny and I found some glittery stars material. The scraps were used to make an apron for Grandma Poss. We made her a possum’s tail out of scrunched up newspaper and pantyhose.
POSSUM MAGIC DECORATIONS FOR PARTIES
We decided to hold the party at a local park, rather than in our home. This gave us the chance to choose a park that had a bushy setting and many gum trees.
I wanted to let the natural surroundings speak for themselves. We used a few of the elements from the book to decorate the party, including stars, gum leaves, and Grandma’s bike
I covered the picnic tables with brown packaging paper and fabric with glittery stars.
I decorated my park shelter with buntings and Possum Magic stars. Because I cannot sew, I punched a hole in the flags I made from photocopied book pages. I then threaded the flags onto some string. The buntings were easy to make, but the wind blew them around. Buntings are now hanging with love inside the cubbyhouse.
I used the gum leaves as labels for food and lolly bags (with the assistance of author and Illustrator Karla Strambini).
My laminator did not like the idea of laminating gum leaves for bookmarks! !
The lolly bags themselves were small and very simple. Each bag contained a Cadbury’s furry friend, gum leaf (spearmint) and snakes. Each bag was tied with a ribbon and a spearmint leaf.
Danny wanted a bike at the party, after seeing one on stage in Possum magic musical. I filled my sister’s bicycle with pumpkin scones. It’s not the same as Grandma’s, but we thought it added a nice touch.
POSSUM MAGIC FOOD FOR PARTIES
It was never easier to plan a menu for a party. No need to look through my stacks of cookbooks. This iconic Australian picture book had all the information we needed. I cited quotes from the book on food labels to make reference to it.
Both the book and the food generated a lot of conversation amongst guests. The guests were either remembering reading the book as children or enjoying Australian food that they had not eaten in years.
She dyed wombats blue ….
I was going to make these Lamington Wombats but instead of using chocolate icing, I dipped them in blue jelly to create blue wombats.
Adelaide Anzac biscuits ….
The recipe is linked in the post. We recommend making Anzac biscuits.
…. morning and Minties in Melbourne …..
To represent the morning, I prepared a salmon dip using smoked salmon with dill mixed into a mixture of sourcream and cream cheese. The salmon dip went with cheese sticks, vegetables and spinach leaves cut in the shape of gum leaf.
…. steak and salad in Sydney …..
My mum made these tasty steak and salad roll. She filled mini rolls with roasted meat, tomato, lettuce and mustard.
….and Pumpkin Scones in Brisbane.
My mother-in-law made these soft pumpkin Scones following a lady Florence Bjelke Peterson recipe.
In the far north, they discovered a Vegemite Sandwich.
On a beach near Perth, the couple ate pavlova.
I made Ike a pavlova for his party. I decorated it with Ike’s favorite fruits. You can print and download the recipe here.
The “Here we go round the Lamington plate” song will be played until early morning.
My mum suggested making a large lamington for Ike’s cake instead of lots of small lamingtons. I used this recipe to dip the sponge cake into chocolate icing. Then, I filled it with raspberry jelly and whipped cream.
I decorated the cake with a mini-bunting, which I also made using photocopies of pages from the book. I attached it to two straws.
POSSUM MAGIC GAMES PARTY
Under the beautiful shade of the gum trees, I prepared two simple activities for the children.
Magic painting ( using candle wax and watercolour paints).
Table:
- Paper
- White Candles
- Watercolour paints
- Paint brushes
- Water
Playdough is a great way to decorate a pavlova
Table:
- Printable Playdough Mat
- Playdough I made (I made dark chocolate and red, yellow, and green)
- Rolling pin, cookie cutters etc. rolling pin, cookie cutters etc.)
- Buttons, glitter and other decorations
Download your pavlova playdough here.
There was also a playground for the kids to enjoy.
POSSUM MAGIC GIFTS IDEAS
I love to give themed birthday presents to my children. I like to give my children themed birthday gifts. You can find links at the end of the post to purchase the featured books.
As our Possum Magic theme birthday party has a lot of delicious Australian foods, I am featuring it in a blog hop for ‘Australia Day for Kids. Australia’s top kid’s activity blogs have come together to offer you a collection of Australia-themed play, craft and cooking ideas. Below is a list of all the dates and blogs participating.
More Aussie ideas
Australia Flag Puzzle by Adventures with Mum
Little Lamington Creatures By My Little Bookcase
My Little Bookcase Australia Books
Possum Magic Pavlova Mat By My Little Bookcase
Anzac Biscuits By Phil Cummings Book Review and Activity by My Little Bookcase
Come in Spinner – An Anzac Game For Kids by My Little Bookcase
My Little Bookcase Our Family Hour – Food Books Games Australian Animals
Buy the book:
Possum Magic 30-Year Anniversary Edition
Possum Magic Opposites
Possum Magic: Grandma’s Keepsake Book
