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November 30, 2010

Super Spy Training Birthday Party

My daughter asked for a spy party for her 8th birthday party, so we set up a "super spy advanced training" party for her.

Awesome ideas for a spy training birthday party. Love the laser maze!




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This was a very popular party. The first step was to send out invitations:

"Future agents . . . you have been specially selected to attend an advanced class in super spy techniques this Saturday, Nov. 20th at 10 am. Upon graduation you will have mastered the skills of observation, sneaking around, and birthday cake consumption. Black clothing would be appropriate but is not necessary. At 11:30 we will send you back out into the field, prepared to solve crimes and stop bad guys, with a license to nil. (please allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery of license.)"

When the guests arrived, we took their pictures to go on their spy license, and had them color spies hiding behind bushes and park benches on a wall mural.

Awesome ideas for a spy training birthday party. Love the laser maze!


Next we chose our spy code names. I put nouns in one jar and adjectives in another. Maren helped me come up with them. We let the kids pull one slip of paper out of each jar and that was their code name. Some of my favorites included the Black Thorn, the Ruby Snake, Silent Bear, and the Diamond Pickle.

After choosing our code names, we sharpened our observational skills. I used the same game from a book club activity the previous summer. I put out several objects on a tray, let them study it for a few minutes, and then had them close their eyes while I took away 3 or 4 of the objects. Then they would try and write down what was taken away. Each round I added a couple more objects to make it more difficult. We played 4 or 5 rounds.

Awesome ideas for a spy training birthday party. Love the laser maze!


Next we played a sneaking game we called "guard dog". I had one child sit with their eyes closed and their back turned to the rest of the group. We put an object behind them that they were protecting. Then the chosen super spy would try to sneak up as quietly as possible and grab the item. The guard dog had one chance to spin around and tag them, so they couldn't repeatedly turn around to try and catch the spy.

Their final training exercise was the laser beam challenge. They formed a line and took turns trying to get through the hallway without touching any laser beams (which were just red streamers). I started with just 3 laser beams in the hallway and after the whole line had gone through I added 1 or 2 more. By the end of the game the hall was covered in streamers and it was very difficult to get through, but I was surprised how many kids made it without touching. This was by far the favorite game.

Awesome ideas for a spy training birthday party. Love the laser maze!



Then it was finally time for the birthday cupcakes! Maren helped me make spy faces on the cupcakes with junior mint sunglasses and various other candies. She really enjoyed making and eating them.

Awesome ideas for a spy training birthday party. Love the laser maze!




Awesome ideas for a spy training birthday party. Love the laser maze!


When it was time to go home, we handed out the party bags. The bags included the following:

- Magnifying glass
- pen and notepad
- spy kazoo - for calling if you need help, or secret spy signals
- mini flashlight
- bubbles, to confuse your opponent (hey look, bubbles!)
- black graduation wristband, to help you identify other graduates
- spy mustache and beards (I had made these out of black felt and garment tape)

Maren wrote "top secret" on some brown paper bags and we called it good.

Awesome ideas for a spy training birthday party. Love the laser maze!




Later I made the kids Super Spy cards. You can find the template for them on this Super Spy I.D. Card post. 

Awesome ideas for a spy training birthday party. Love the laser maze!


This was a great party and I hope these ideas have helped you!

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out my other birthday parties.  Also follow my birthday board on Pinterest.


Visit Erin (Chicken Babies)'s profile on Pinterest.


28 comments:

  1. You have the best birthday parties. Hopefully in a couple years when I'm in charge of hosting them I'll remember to come back to your blog and steal all your ideas. :)

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  2. What an amazing party! It looks like it was a hit. Maren is such a funny girl to request a party like that and thank goodness she has an incredible mom that can make it happen.

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  3. Oh I looooove this! Fantastic looking party. So clever and creative! I bet the kids absolutely loved it.

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  4. very cute! I love all the activities!

    hugs! Kim @ Party Frosting!

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  5. Thanks! It was a fun party.

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  6. Love the ideas! I'm featuring you as a favorite find for the week on my blog! Feel free to check it out at http://copy-cat-crafter.blogspot.com/2011/06/five-favorite-finds.html!
    ~*Jessica Lauren

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  7. Your blog is mentioned on the Brazilian newspaper (online version) O Globo:
    http://oglobo.globo.com/economia/morarbem/mat/2011/07/13/transforme-casa-num-parque-de-diversoes-para-pequenos-mas-sem-agredir-decoracao-924897082.asp
    Love your ideas for the Super Spy birthday party!

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  8. Brazilian newspaper? Cool. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

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  9. i love the spy training with the masking tape! we have a ridiculously long hallway... i have to try this with my son!

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  10. This is absolutely one of the best bday themes I've ever seen! I'm so inspired because my kids are so into spies! Thank you!

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  11. Thanks for dropping in and leaving such nice comments!

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  12. I had to steal your idea, it was awesome!
    I used laser pointers and a smoke machine as well.
    http://blog.mummybrain.com/2011/09/spy-night.html

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  13. Saw this on PINTEREST and tried it with my girls last night. Thanks so much for sharing!

    http://mamassimpleblessings.blogspot.com/2011/10/laser-beams-preschooler-toddler-style.html

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  14. My son would go crazy over this! How creative!

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  15. My daughter wants to be a spy when she grows up...she will love those idea. Thank you for sharing!

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  16. I know this is a year later, but I used a bunch of your ideas! Probably will NEVER get a blog post done, but just wanted to say thank you! My girls had a BLAST!!!! :)

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  17. Thanks so much! I love hearing that other people have fun with their kids using something I posted! Even if it is a year later. ;)

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  18. Hello! I saw a photo from you in Pinterest months ago. As our daughter planned her "Secret Spy Agent" party this past weekend, I really had that photo of fun, in my mind and have actually linked to you! Thank you for sharing the photo that sparked my imagination! What fun parents you must be! This is the first time I am coming by and will enjoy seeing how you incorporated this in your day! There were oodles of ideas we could have continued with, with only the laser labarinyth!
    I look forward to returning! Warmest Gina @ willowday

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  19. I've only been blogging for 2 months -- I'm not sure if there is anything else I should do, but, if you come by, you can see my little kudos to you! Best!

    http://www.willowday.com/2012/03/secret-agent-birthday-party.html

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  20. What a great party! I love the disguises and the cupcakes are too cute. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. The "laser" maze will be excellent to help kids with developing better gross motor control--thx! Karen

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  22. Love these ideas. I'm going to use them for an Activity Days activity & then send the girls home with the "Secret Service" packet I saw on a blog called The Fickle Pickle. Then it will pass off a requirement under "Service". Thanks for the great idea. I also love the cute ID badges!

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  23. we are going to print out an image of my daughter and one of Justin Bieber -then cut them up into puzzle pieces andlet the kids put them together as fast as they can

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  24. Wow, it looks like so much fun! How creative, thanks for sharing!

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  25. This is so awesome!!! the kids are going to have to fight the adults for this party in my house!! Love love love this party and your blog! Can I be a chicken baby too? :) Michelle

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  26. This is such a neat party idea - LOVE it! I think this laser game would be a huge hit at a spy party! http://www.sophie-world.com/blog/tuesday-links-marshmallow-poppers-water-balloon-pinatas-spy-training-and-color-changing-drinks

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  27. We're having this party in two days for my 10 year old boy and your ideas are still fun years after you posted! Thanks for the help!

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    Replies
    1. yay! Thanks for taking the time to comment and letting me know! It makes me so happy.

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