Clifford the Big Red Dog Birthday Party Ideas

mommymommymommy | Feb 28, 2011 |

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The character of Clifford the Big Red Dog lends itself to many birthday party ideas for young children. Created by Normal Bridwell in 1963, Clifford had been a popular picture book series for children under the age of seven for many years. In 2000, PBS aired original cartoon episodes based on the book series. For over three years, original episodes were created and aired. Reruns of Clifford air daily on many PBS stations across the country, continuing his popularity.

Despite his size, Clifford is a gentle and loving animal. That is why children love him and having a birthday party with a Clifford theme would be a hit with kids.

Clifford the Big Red Dog Birthday Party Invitations

Since the show is not as popular as it was back when it debuted, Clifford themed birthday party invitations are no longer available in stores. You may be able to find them on Ebay or at yard sales and thrift stores.

What you can do is create your own party invitations. One way is to use red cardstock and cut out dog shapes. Write the important party information on it and seal.

Another option is to save pictures of Clifford and his friends found on the internet to your computer. Paste them onto white paper and type up the party information and print.

If your child loves Clifford, take a picture of her and create a unique photo invitation online at one of the many picture websites on the internet.

What Guests Should Wear to the Party

If you want your guests to stay with the theme, you can ask them to wear red! If they do not like that color, then ask them to wear any clothing item that has a dog on it.

Clifford the Big Red Dog Birthday Party Decorations and Paper Goods

Unfortunately, party stores both online and brick and mortar no longer carry any Clifford party decorations. However, you can make your own themed table with ordinary paper goods found in the supermarket or Dollar Store.

Use a white plastic or paper tablecloth as your base. For paper or plastic plates, use red ones. Napkins should be white, and forks and spoons should red, so the contrast stands out.

For a centerpiece, have red and white latex balloons. Since your child loves Clifford, chances are she has a stuffed animal or two of her favorite character. Set them in the middle of the table.

If you want to make the table appear more grown up, make place cards for each child. Write his or her name on an index, place a Clifford sticker next to it, and fold.

You can also decorate with red and white streamers in the room in which you are eating.

Games to Play a Clifford the Big Red Dog Birthday Party

Children love to play games, and with some adult help, you can keep the kids busy in a manner that fit’s the theme of your party.

Play Red Rover

A classic children’s game, play Red Rover, Red Rover in your backyard.

Play Fetch

Clifford is a dog and dogs play fetch. You can set the children up into two teams or three, your choice. Each team needs their own brightly colored ball that is not the same color as the others. At the sound of “Go”, the child who is second in line will throw the ball as close to a designated mark as possible. The first child in line will “fetch” it and bring it back to that child. The third child in line will now throw it for the second child, who will now fetch the ball. Continue doing this until all children have had a chance to throw and run.

If you feel the kids will not be able to throw far enough, have adult volunteers throw the ball for each team.

Buried Bone Scavenger Hunt

Dogs like to bury bones, and Clifford is no different! You can cut out colorful dog bone shapes out of cardstock or construction paper and hide them all over the house or yard. Have children find them and bring them back to you. To make sure they have found them all, you can number them and the lay them out to see if they are all there. This is a cooperative game, not a competitive one.

Crafts to Do at a Clifford the Big Red Dog Birthday Party

If you like to craft and want to incorporate one into the party, here are some simple ones that you can do.

Make a Necklace

This is a very easy project to do.

Materials

Red Beads

Lanyard or Elastic

Bowls to hold beads

Children can string together a red bracelet or necklace. This is best for older children who will not put he beads inside their mouth.

Make a Bookmark

Clifford got his start in books, so why not make a bookmark to keep your place?

Materials

Foam bookmark shapes

Peel and stick foam shapes

Bowl for stickers

Another simple craft that children will love to do. Craft stores sell packets of foam bookmarks and stickers to put on them. Just have the children select the color they want and create a design with the stickers.

Food to Serve at a Clifford the Big Red Dog Birthday Party

You can find two easy to serve foods for your child’s Clifford party. Hansen make different flavored juice boxes featuring Clifford’s face-simply place one at each guest’s seat. Brach’s makes Clifford fruit snacks, so those can also be served.

Red fruit, such as strawberries, apple slices, grapes, and watermelon make an attractive and thematic fruit tray. Red candy, such as licorice, can also be placed on the table.

Clifford the Big Red Dog Birthday Cake

A birthday party must have cake. At coolestbirthdaycakes.com you will find many different ways to make your own Clifford cake. If you are not a baker, your supermarket should be able to create one for you.

Clifford the Big Red Dog Party Favors

The best party favor is one that is not junky, won’t break, and can be used over and over again. For a Clifford party, the best goody to hand out as a thank you to the guests is a Clifford book. An alternative is a Clifford coloring book with a box of crayons.

Using these Clifford the Big Red Dog birthday party ideas will make your child’s party a hit with her and her friends.