Despicable Me Party Planning Guide

Party Planning Checklist

Despicable Me Party

A step-by-step checklist for a Despicable Me 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 codeYellow shirts and blue overalls, or Gru's black-and-gray scarf.
Pick the spaceIndoors or out. Set the backdrop up as the photo spot.

3–4 weeks before

Tableware for 8Get 8 dessert plates, lunch and beverage napkins and a table cover Prime Party. Add solid yellow dinner plates from the store.
CupsThere are no Despicable Me cups, so plan on solid yellow or blue cups from the store.
Forks & spoonsGrab 20 of each: yellow forks and yellow spoons, or denim blue forks and spoons. Prime Party
StreamersTwist yellow and royal blue together like Minion overalls. Prime Party
Latex balloonsThe Despicable Me balloons plus sunshine yellow and powder blue balloons. Prime Party
ConfettiSprinkle multi-colored circle confetti down the table like Minion goggles. Prime Party
DécorThe photo backdrop with props Prime Party.
Party favorsTemporary tattoos and the jumbo coloring book Prime Party.
Favors (8)Despicable Me favor bags Prime Party, one per kid.

1–2 weeks before

Order or bake the cakeYellow frosting with candy eyes and a blue "overalls" bottom stripe.
Plan the main courseHot dogs, mac and cheese and corn on the cob.
SnacksBananas (of course), banana chips and Twinkies "Minions."
Plan the drinksMake Minion Banana Smoothie (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.
Minion goggles craftGlue paper "goggles" onto yellow paper cups to make Minion buddies.
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 "Happy" 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 Minion goggle 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 Minion goggle picks a prize.
Prize basketFill a basket with inexpensive prizes for winners to pick from: movie-theater candy boxes, banana candy, goggles, 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 8Temporary tattoos, banana candy and a sticker.
Check for choking hazardsUse age-appropriate fillers if younger siblings are coming.

Day before

Fill the 8 favor bags
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 yellow and blue. 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	Minion goggles craft.
+1 hr 40	Cake, candles and "Happy Birthday." Read trivia while they eat.
Goodbyes	Hand out the favors at the door.