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Willy Wonka Inspired 7th Birthday Party

Sarah E By Sarah E  in Birthday

Drinks

Party Recap

I’d recently finished reading Charlie And The Chocolate Factory with my son Hugo, and his head was full of golden tickets, chocolate waterfalls, and strange little singing oompa loompas. Of course, I knew I had to share the original 1971 movie with him, and when Mr Wonka invited his guests into the edible garden at the heart of the factory, the look on Hugo’s face was exactly how I felt when I watched it as a child – you just really, REALLY want to be one of those kids gorging themselves on edible toadstools and lollipop flowers! I knew I had to try and recreate the magic of the chocolate factory for Hugo somehow for his 7th birthday party.

I love the original 1971 Wonka movie, with its awesome retro aesthetic and the brilliance of Gene Wilder. There is so much to love about the book, and even more to love about how it was adapted the screen. There was no question for me that I wanted to emulate the look and feel of the characters and props from that movie. I designed the invitations and cake based on the classic Wonka chocolate bar packaging, and I really wanted to feature Willy Wonka and oompa loompas everywhere I possibly could. They are such brilliant characters and you can’t help but smile when you look at them.

The party guests enjoyed everything from marshmallow toadstools, to toffee apples, to golden eggs, and washed it all down with fizzy lifting drinks. The party favours were wrapped lollipops and Wonka chocolate bars, and in between games and a sit-down lunch, everyone had a turn in the Wonka photo booth. I designed and created all of the printables and props based on so many of the fun ideas from the book and movie, and cut and assembled them all by hand to create tables with lots of depth and interest.

Most of all, I just wanted to create a party full of energy and colour that would make the kids’ eyes bug out as soon as they walked in. And it worked!

Hand

Party Helpers

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19 comments

  • Jasmin L

    Jasmin L wrote:

    Absolutely beautiful!

  • Melissa N

    Melissa N wrote:

    oh my 3 yr old is lookin at this with me and wants a wonka party now..LOL

  • Melissa N

    Melissa N wrote:

    where did you find an OmpaLumpa?

  • Melissa N

    Melissa N wrote:

    excellent job and you did it all yourselve! BRAVO!

  • Sarah E

    Sarah E wrote:

    Thanks so much Melissa. :o)

  • Sarah E

    Sarah E wrote:

    Thankyou so much ladies! I appreciate it. :o)

  • Sarah E

    Sarah E wrote:

    Hi Melissa. I actually designed this myself. I have the printable file available for purchase in my Etsy shop if you know anyone that wants one! http://www.etsy.com/listing/99522706/wonka-inspired-party-oompa-loompa-prop

  • Christina K

    Christina K wrote:

    Do you mind me asking... What kinds of games did the children play? This party looks so fun. You did an amazing job!

  • Sarah E

    Sarah E wrote:

    Hi Christina, We played a fun relay race game where the kids formed two teams and had to wear woolly gloves whilst trying to open (and eat) a wrapped lolly, before taking the gloves off and passing them on to the next child in their team. We also had some circus sideshow style games set up (like knocking over stacked cans with a rubber ball), and throwing beanbags through a board with holes in it (each hole scored different points) which I bought from a craft store here in Australia. We were also going to do an egg-and-spoon race with the golden eggs, but the kids just wanted to jump on the trampoline! So we let them. :o) Hope that helps. Cheers, Sarah

  • Amber C

    Amber C wrote:

    Where did you get this from ?

  • Amber C

    Amber C wrote:

    this is TOOOOOO cute

  • Erica M

    Erica M wrote:

    how can i get one of these made?

  • Erica M

    Erica M wrote:

    beautiful

  • Erica M

    Erica M wrote:

    best party yet!

  • no photo

    Ali M wrote:

    Hi Sarah - I LOVE your party! My son is turning 8 years old very soon and wants this same theme. I have alot planned already, but really love your wonka hat and oompa loompa hair cutouts for the photobooth. I was wondering if those are templates that you would be willing to share or sell? They are adorable!! Thank you! Ali

  • Sarah E

    Sarah E wrote:

    Thanks! :)

  • Sarah E

    Sarah E wrote:

    Hi ladies. Sorry for the slow reply. This is available as a printable PDF file in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/99138307/wonka-inspired-party-invitation?ref=shop_home_active

  • Sarah E

    Sarah E wrote:

    Hi Ali. Thank you so much! :) I actually sell the photo booth props in my Etsy shop as printable PDF files. You can find them here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/99139136/wonka-inspired-party-photo-booth-props?ref=shop_home_active Cheers, Sarah.

  • no photo

    Yasmine E wrote:

    Hello, I know it’s too long since you posted this great party but I wish you still have the printable so link available for sale .