A Very Hungry Caterpillar Playdate

You know I love a good themed party.  Well, I also love a themed playdate.  It's a fun way to try some cute ideas without the pressure of the all-out entertainment or perfection required at a party.

I've seen a lot of cute ideas using The Very Hungry Caterpillar book and I thought it was a perfect theme for Tate's playgroup.  Bright colors, simple activities, healthy snacks, and outdoor fun ... a great combination for toddlers.

Inspired by Pottery Barn's birthday party, I copied the caterpillar but made it from balloons instead of paper lanterns.  Scrapbook paper completed the face {pardon his droopy antennae}.  I put a marble inside each balloon to weight it down and used ribbon to hang the balloons from a tree branch.

The balloons hung over the table which was decorated very simply in bright green and red.  I used layers of ragged fabric and paper plates and napkins.  Rocks weighted down the plates so they wouldn't blow away.

I provided a few simple stations to inspire some toddler play: an easel with paper and crayons ...

... bubbles ...

... big pieces of chalk ...

... and bouncy balls in red and green.

We always serve snacks at playgroup so I put out a few goodies, inspired by the book.

Water bottles wrapped in duct tape sat in my new Coke crate {I told you you'd be seeing a lot of it!} ...

... and the kids munched on muffins ...

 

... cheese {with caterpillar holes poked in it} ...

... strawberries, and an apple caterpillar {inspiration found here}.

And no spring playdate is complete without serving my signature lemonade iced tea for the moms.  I also got out the sippers for the first time this season.  Spring and summer entertaining is always just a bit more fun!

Be sure to pop back tomorrow to see the special touch Tate wore to her playdate.