Ghostbusters Party Planning Guide

Party Planning Checklist

Ghostbusters Party

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

Guests: 8 kids
Length: 2 hours
Dessert: cupcakes
Colors: red, white, black, slime green

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3–4 weeks before

Invitations & guest list

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 codeTan "jumpsuits" (any tan shirt and pants) and a homemade proton pack from a cardboard box.
Pick the spaceIndoors or out. Leave a wall for the Ecto-1 poster and a spot for photos.

Kids in front of a Ghostbusters fabric banner

3–4 weeks before

Order your party supplies

Tableware for 8The Standard or Deluxe Pack Prime Party covers this. To build your own, get 8 dinner plates, 8 dessert plates, lunch and beverage napkins and a table cover.
Placemats (8)Placemats Prime Party, one per seat. They mark each kid's spot.
CupsThere are no Ghostbusters cups, so plan on solid red or slime green cups from the store.
Forks & spoonsGrab 20 of each: red forks and red spoons, or slime green forks and spoons. Prime Party
StreamersTwist red, white and black together like the no-ghost logo. Prime Party
Latex balloonsThe Ghostbusters balloons mixed with slime green and white pearlized balloons. Prime Party
ConfettiSprinkle silver circle confetti down the table. Prime Party
DécorThe fabric wall banner, jointed birthday banner and Mini-Puft wooden figures Prime Party.
Cupcake wrappers (12) and water bottle labels (16)Cupcake wrappers and bottle labels Prime Party. These set how many cupcakes and bottles you buy. See the food section.
GamesStick the License Plate on the Ecto-1 Prime Party.
Sticker sheets (8)Sticker sheets Prime Party, one per kid.
Optional: cutoutsThe Slimer cutout, cardboard firehouse or containment unit Prime Party for photos.
Favors (8)Ghost Trap favor boxes Prime Party, one per kid.

1–2 weeks before

Plan the food & drinks

Order or bake 12 cupcakesYou have 12 cupcake wrappers, so get cupcakes, not a cake. White frosting with a green "slime" drip, or toast a marshmallow on top for a Stay Puft touch.
Buy 16 bottles of waterYou have 16 bottle labels, so that's 2 per kid. Standard 16.9 oz bottles are the easiest to wrap.
Plan the main courseFirehouse pizza: about 1 large pizza per 3 kids, plus extra for parents.
SnacksStay Puft marshmallows, "ectoplasm" green Jell-O cups and popcorn.
Plan the drinksMake Ecto Cooler Citrus Punch (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

Games & prizes

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.
Stick the License Plate on the Ecto-1: blindfold + tapeHang the poster at kid eye level with painter's tape. Blindfold with a bandana, spin twice, and the closest plate wins. It works for up to 16 players.
Photo boothSet up a photo spot in front of the fabric banner with the photo booth props Prime Party.
TriviaPrint this guide and leave the trivia page on the table. It's at the end of this checklist.

Kids playing the Ghostbusters Ecto-1 game

1–2 weeks before

Bonus DIY games (free to make)

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 the Ghostbusters theme song 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 ghost 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 ghost picks a prize.
Prize basketFill a basket with inexpensive prizes for winners to pick from: movie-theater candy boxes, glow sticks, sticky slime, 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

Favors

Buy favor fillers for 8Glow sticks, a small tub of slime, mini marshmallows and a sticker sheet.
Check for choking hazardsUse age-appropriate fillers if younger siblings are coming.

Day before

Prep & set up

Wrap the water bottlesPeel off the store labels, wrap with the Ghostbusters labels and chill.
Fill the 8 favor boxes
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, white, slime green and the Ghostbusters balloons. 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.

Room decorated with a Ghostbusters banner

Party day

Run of show

3 hrs before	Pick up the cupcakes 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, photo booth open.
Every 15 min	Ring the bell for a Number Scramble round.
+30 min	Food. Lucky Plate reveal while they eat.
+1 hr	Stick the License Plate on the Ecto-1.
+1 hr 40	Cupcakes, candles and "Happy Birthday." Read trivia while they eat.
Goodbyes	Hand out the favors at the door.

Kids toasting with Ghostbusters bottle labels

Take this to the store

Your pick-up list

Everything here comes from the grocery or dollar store.

Food
12 cupcakesfor the wrappers
Pizzaabout 3 large for 8 kids + extra for parents
Marshmallows
Green Jell-O cups
Popcorn
Drinks
16 bottles of waterfor the labels
Ecto punch ingredientssee the recipe below
Cupsred or slime green solids
Iceabout 10 lb
Games & favors
Prize basket: 20–30 small prizesget extra, since games go lots of rounds
Paper, tape + markerfor Number Scramble
Bell or speaker
Bandana or scarffor the blindfold
Favor fillers for 8
Supplies
Painter's tape + removable hooks
Balloon pump or helium + ribbon
Serving bowls & platters
Birthday candles + lighter
Cooler or tub

Signature drink (non-alcoholic)

Ecto Cooler Citrus Punch

A bright green citrus punch, inspired by the 80s juice box. Alcohol-free and kid-approved. Makes about 12 cups, enough for 8 kids with refills. Time: 5 min.

Ingredients

4 cups orange juice, chilled
4 cups lemon-lime soda, chilled
2 cups limeade, chilled
A few drops of blue food coloring
Ice

Steps

Mix the orange juice and limeade in a punch bowl.
Add blue food coloring a drop at a time until it turns green.
Top with the lemon-lime soda and ice.
Serve right away.

Tip: Mix in front of the kids. They love watching the orange turn "slime" green.

Table talk

12 Ghostbusters Trivia Questions

Leave this page at the table and read them out between bites. They make for fun conversations at the table, and kids love stumping the grown-ups.

Where is the Ghostbusters' headquarters?
Show answer
An old New York City firehouse
What is the name of the Ghostbusters' car?
Show answer
Ecto-1
What is the name of the green ghost who eats everything?
Show answer
Slimer
What giant monster stomps through New York in the first movie?
Show answer
The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man
What is the most important rule about the proton packs?
Show answer
Don't cross the streams!
Who sang the Ghostbusters theme song?
Show answer
Ray Parker Jr.
What year did the first movie come out?
Show answer
1984
In what city does the first movie take place?
Show answer
New York City
Name the four original Ghostbusters.
Show answer
Peter, Ray, Egon and Winston
What do the Ghostbusters use to catch ghosts?
Show answer
A ghost trap
What are the Ghostbusters' backpacks called?
Show answer
Proton packs
What are the tiny marshmallow creatures in Ghostbusters: Afterlife called?
Show answer
Mini-Pufts