Cars Party Planning Guide

Party Planning Checklist

Cars Party

A step-by-step checklist for a Cars birthday. Quantities are for 8 kids, plus a few grown-ups.

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3–4 weeks before

Set the date, time and headcountA 2-hour party is the sweet spot for kids. Count the parents who'll stay too.
Send invitationsAsk parents to RSVP 1 week out and to note any food allergies.
Optional: dress codeRed for Lightning McQueen, or rusty brown for Mater.
Pick the spaceA backyard or driveway is great for cardboard-car races.

3–4 weeks before

Tableware for 8Get 8 dessert plates Prime Party. Add solid red dinner plates, plus the Cars lunch napkins and beverage napkins Prime Party.
CupsThere are no Cars cups, so plan on solid red or yellow cups from the store.
Forks & spoonsGrab 20 of each: red forks and red spoons, or yellow forks and spoons. Prime Party
StreamersTwist red, yellow and black together for a racetrack look. Prime Party
Latex balloonsRed, yellow and black pearlized balloons. Prime Party
ConfettiSprinkle multi-colored circle confetti down the table. Prime Party
DécorThe Cars jointed banner Prime Party. The race cars mega value pack Prime Party adds more racing décor.

1–2 weeks before

Order or bake the cakeRed frosting with a "95" and a checkered-flag border.
Plan the main course"Pit stop" hot dogs and mac and cheese.
SnacksMini donut "tires," pretzel "lug nuts" and fruit.
Plan the drinksMake Lightning McQueen Cherry Lemonade (the recipe is after the store list), plus juice boxes. Plan for 2–3 drinks per kid.
IceAbout 1 lb per person, so one 10 lb bag.
Check allergiesConfirm against your RSVPs.

1–2 weeks before

Buy prizes for every gameWinners pick from the prize basket (see the DIY games below). Plan on 20–30 small prizes so every kid wins something.
Cardboard box race carsLet kids decorate boxes as cars, then race them across the yard.
TriviaPrint this guide and leave the trivia page on the table. It's at the end of this checklist.

1–2 weeks before

Number Scramble: make the numbersWrite one big number per guest (1–8) on half sheets of 8.5 × 11 paper and tape them to the floor around the house. Write the same numbers on slips of paper and put them in a bowl.
Number Scramble: how to playAbout every 15 minutes, ring a bell or play "Life Is a Highway" on a speaker. Everyone scrambles to stand on an open number. Draw a slip from the bowl, and whoever is standing on that number picks a prize. Set the winning slip aside so every kid gets a turn.
Lucky Plate: mark one plateBefore you set the table, draw a small "95" on the bottom of one dinner plate.
Lucky Plate: the revealHalfway through the meal, announce that everyone should check under their plate. Whoever finds the small "95" picks a prize.
Prize basketFill a basket with inexpensive prizes for winners to pick from: movie-theater candy boxes, die-cast cars, checkered flags, bouncy balls and stickers. Use it for every game. Buy more than you think you'll need. Leftover candy and toys make great thank-you prizes for your clean-up crew. 😉

1 week before

Buy favor fillers for 8A die-cast car, a checkered flag and candy.
Check for choking hazardsUse age-appropriate fillers if younger siblings are coming.

Day before

Make the Number Scramble signs and slips; mark the lucky plateTape the numbers down on party day so they don't get kicked around.
Hang the banners and wall décorPut the wall piece behind the food or photo area, and drape the banner over a doorway or the food table.
Inflate balloonsMix red, yellow and black. Air-filled clusters last longer than helium. Hang the streamers and scatter the confetti on the table last.
Set out serving dishesFood goes in bowls and on platters, not on the printed plates, so the artwork stays visible.

Party day

3 hrs before	Pick up the cake and order the food.
2 hrs before	Table cover and 8 place settings.
1 hr before	Fill the cooler, set up the games, and tape down the Number Scramble numbers.
Arrival	Music on and drinks out while everyone arrives.
Every 15 min	Ring the bell for a Number Scramble round.
+30 min	Food. Lucky Plate reveal while they eat.
+1 hr	Cardboard box race cars.
+1 hr 40	Cake, candles and "Happy Birthday." Read trivia while they eat.
Goodbyes	Hand out the favors at the door.