How to Plan an ‘Encanto’ Birthday Party (Because It’s All Your Kid Can Think About)
You’ve been watching it every movie night for the last month and singing the Lin Manuel Miranda tunes all day—and you’re not alone. Families everywhere have fallen under the spell of Encanto (i.e., the latest Disney movie sensation) ever since it was released last year, so it should come as no surprise that your kid wants their big day to be filled with some family Madrigal magic. Fortunately, the desired shindig should be a breeze to pull off—provided you have a little help from our guide on how to plan an Encanto birthday party, that is.
1. Get the invitations right
Announce the theme on the invite so that party-goers can watch the movie at home beforehand (for the umpteenth time, perhaps) and arrive prepared for the event. (Hint: These editable, digital invitations should get the message across loud and clear.)
2. Dish up some Colombian fare on festive plates
Of course, you can always order a couple of pizzas and call it a day, but if you’re feeling ambitious and want to up your Encanto birthday party game, we suggest opting for a Colombian-style spread instead. Empanadas, chicharrones, pandebono (Colombian cheese bread), and arepas con queso are all party-friendly finger foods that would get the Madrigal family seal of approval. And all this delicious grub will look especially festive when combined with this birthday party bundle of plates and napkins.
3. Make a Killer Playlist
“We don’t talk about Bruno” is a no-no-no brainer, but aside from the Encanto soundtrack, you can also throw some authentic Colombian cumbia music into the mix to get the party started. This dance style originated in Colombia and spread like wildfire throughout Latin America, and we suspect it’s because the rhythmic beats are perfect for inspiring kids (and adults) to cut a rug. If you decide not to stray from the soundtrack, be sure to have an Encanto karaoke machine on hand so kids can sing along to all their favorites.
4. Set up a watch party station complete with snacks
You don’t need to devote two hours of the birthday party to watching the movie, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to have it playing in the background so guests can tune in and out in between activities. If you do, be sure to set up a watch party station where there’s ample seating, as well as popcorn and refreshments within arm’s reach. Fearless hosts can even have a candy buffet on offer with Encanto-themed chocolate bars and jars of bite-sized treats that kids can dip into—just keep in mind that no one will be sitting and watching once the sugar rush kicks in.
5. Go all in on the decorations
Deck the place out with Encanto-themed birthday party decorations—and definitely don’t worry about going overboard. After all, decorations are what distinguish a birthday party from, well, a play date with cake. Transform the venue into casita Madrigal with a brightly colored backdrop of festive paper decorations (think: fans, butterflies and flowers), plenty of balloons and, of course, the iconic candle.
6. Don’t forget the birthday cake
An undecorated cake (either from your local grocery store or from a box) and an edible Encanto cake topper like this one will do the trick, but you could also go the extra mile by throwing in a themed birthday candle to boot.
7. Play some party games
No birthday would be complete without a piñata that fits the theme, and a few other party games like bingo and pin the tail on the donkey to keep the kids entertained. For little kids, a low key coloring activity might come in handy as well.
8. Gift party-goers a themed goody bag
Congrats, you just threw a birthday party that the young Disney fans in attendance won’t soon forget. Now send them home with a goody bag brimming with Encanto treats and trinkets, and your work is done.
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