Scooby-Doo Party Planning Guide

Party Planning Checklist

Scooby-Doo Party

A step-by-step checklist for a Scooby-Doo 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 codeVelma's orange sweater, Fred's ascot, Daphne's purple or Shaggy's green shirt.
Pick the spaceIndoors is best for the mystery hunt. Hide clues in every room.

3–4 weeks before

Tableware for 8Get 8 dinner plates, 8 dessert plates and lunch and beverage napkins Prime Party.
CupsScooby-Doo favor cups Prime Party.
Forks & spoonsGrab 20 of each: green forks and green spoons, or orange forks and spoons. Prime Party
StreamersTwist orange, Caribbean blue and white together like the Mystery Machine. Prime Party
Latex balloonsGreen, orange and powder blue balloons. Prime Party
ConfettiSprinkle multi-colored circle confetti down the table. Prime Party

1–2 weeks before

Order or bake the cakeA bone-shaped cake or cookies, or green frosting with a Mystery Machine flower.
Plan the main courseShaggy-size sandwiches (a long sub cut into pieces).
SnacksBone-shaped "Scooby Snacks" cookies, popcorn and fruit.
Plan the drinksMake Mystery Machine 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

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.
Mystery huntHide clues around the house that lead to a "villain" with a mask. Unmask them at the end!
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 "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" 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 dog bone 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 dog bone picks a prize.
Prize basketFill a basket with inexpensive prizes for winners to pick from: movie-theater candy boxes, magnifying glasses, flashlights, 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 mini magnifying glass, bone cookies 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.
Hide the mystery cluesWrite the clues and tuck them around the house so the trail ends at the "villain."
Inflate balloonsMix green, orange 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	Mystery hunt.
+1 hr 40	Cake, candles and "Happy Birthday." Read trivia while they eat.
Goodbyes	Hand out the favors at the door.

Take this to the store

Everything here comes from the grocery or dollar store.

Signature drink (non-alcoholic)

A green-and-orange punch with a mystery flavor. Alcohol-free and kid-approved. Makes about 12 cups, enough for 8 kids with refills. Time: 5 min.

Tip: Let kids guess the "mystery" flavors.

Table talk

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.

What is the name of the gang's van?
Show answer
The Mystery Machine
Who is Scooby's best friend?
Show answer
Shaggy
What treats does Scooby love?
Show answer
Scooby Snacks
Which member of the gang wears glasses?
Show answer
Velma
What does Velma say when she finds a clue?
Show answer
"Jinkies!"
Which gang member usually plans the trap?
Show answer
Fred
Which gang member wears purple?
Show answer
Daphne
What breed of dog is Scooby-Doo?
Show answer
A Great Dane
Finish the villain's line: "And I would have gotten away with it..."
Show answer
"...if it weren't for you meddling kids!"
What is the name of Scooby's little nephew?
Show answer
Scrappy-Doo
What year did Scooby-Doo first air?
Show answer
1969
What is the gang's name?
Show answer
Mystery Inc.