Got kids at your Kentucky Derby party? Head to your favorite craft store, pick up some crafting supplies, and have some stations set up where kids can get their DIY craftiness going. When they're done crafting, serve them a sweet treat; see here for our guide to local places to pick up a dessert or snack for Derby Day.
Derby Hats: There are SO many ideas out there on how to make a Derby hat or fascinator. I discovered this neat idea using very extra large coffee filters. I found some at a nearby Target store. This unique children's hat idea originally came from The Polkadot Chair.
polkadotchair.com
Derby Horses: A unique way to make a horse painting: use your foot! Look at this example from Fun Handprint Art Blog.
Coloring Book Ideas: The Kentucky Derby Museum has a coloring book to purchase online. It is $6.95. You could probably also call to see if they have it in stock at the museum. The Churchill Downs Junior Jockey Club also has a ten page coloring book in PDF format you can download on their website.
Stick Horses: Louisville Family Fun made a fun post about hosting a Derby party at home with kids. They have a great idea for do it yourself stick horses using a pool noodle and your imagination. Find the link here.
Steamboats: Kids could have fun making a tissue box steamboat such as this one from Family Fun Crafts.
Balloons: Make a fun hot air balloon craft with a helium filled balloon, a paper cup, and some ribbon. See the idea here from freekidscrafts.com.
freekidscrafts.com
Fireworks: Have fun making fireworks in honor of Thunder Over Louisville with bendable straws and paint! This idea is from Crafty Morning.
Parades: Make your own instruments with any recyclable container to make a makeshift drum or shaker.
Fun Finger Foods:
Look at this Rice Krispie treat shaped horseshoe snack from Louisville Family Fun! Super easy and topped with a few chocolate chips.
Another fun idea would be to make these adorable horse cookies.
The main aspects of the cookies are Pepperidge Farm Dark Chocolate Milano Melts, mini Nilla wafers, and some licorice rope. You could add eyes and hair with some squeezable icing (and use a dab of icing to stick the cookies together). The idea is from tipjunkie.com.
Check out this blog post about A Kentucky Derby Storybook Party. Also find out more about the Junior Jockey Club at Churchill Downs.
Happy Derby, y'all!
Photos credited within article; cover photo courtesy of shutterstock.com/Poznyakov
