Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Party Planning Guide

Party Planning Checklist

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Party

A step-by-step checklist for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 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 codeGreen shirts plus a mask in blue, red, purple or orange.
Pick the spaceIndoors or out. A backyard is best for ninja training.

3–4 weeks before

Tableware for 8Get 8 dinner plates, 8 dessert plates and lunch and beverage napkins Prime Party.
CupsThere are no Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cups, so plan on solid green cups from the store.
Forks & spoonsGrab 20 of each: green forks and green spoons, or kiwi forks and spoons. Prime Party
StreamersTwist royal blue, red and orange together for the turtles' masks. Prime Party
Latex balloonsThe TMNT balloons plus green pearlized balloons. Prime Party
ConfettiSprinkle multi-colored circle confetti down the table. Prime Party
DécorThe TMNT centerpiece kit Prime Party.
Party favorsTMNT tattoos Prime Party, one per kid.

1–2 weeks before

Order or bake the cakeA pizza-shaped cookie cake, or green frosting with four colored candy "masks."
Plan the main coursePizza, obviously: about 1 large pizza per 3 kids, plus extra for parents.
SnacksGreen grapes, "ooze" green Jell-O and popcorn.
Plan the drinksMake Turtle Power Green 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.
Ninja trainingSet up a pillow obstacle course. Kids tie on a mask (cut from a T-shirt) and race through.
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 the Ninja Turtles theme 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 pizza slice 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 pizza slice picks a prize.
Prize basketFill a basket with inexpensive prizes for winners to pick from: movie-theater candy boxes, mini figures, bouncy balls, slime 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 8TMNT tattoos, a slime 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 green and the TMNT 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.

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	Ninja training.
+1 hr 40	Cake, candles and "Happy Birthday." Read trivia while they eat.
Goodbyes	Hand out the favors at the door.