5 year old (GIRL) birthday party themes/activity ideas?

[momofdestructobaby]

My daughter turns 5 June 21. She will be having her first birthday party that she'll invite school friends to. I need ideas for maybe a theme for the party.....and some ideas for fun activities/crafts suitable for 5-6 year olds. I *think* we will only be having girls guests.

SPAM me with tried and true great ideas.

I need loot bag ideas.

ETC.

[tallanvor]

At my oldest's 5yr birthday party we did a pinata and face painting. That was it for planned activities. The rest of the time they just played. My youngest daughter just had one friend over and they just played.

Oh, we did have a princess theme, I guess, for my oldest. The cake was a castle (very easy to make), the plates were princess, goodie bags went with the theme (costume jewelry, girly stuff, etc), and the pinata was a pony.

[wlillie]

My niece is having a Mad Hatter Tea party. My sister is buying each girl her own teacup and saucer (all different and secondhand) and putting out dress up clothes for the girls to play in while they are there. I think they are decorating their own sweets for an activity.

[momofdestructobaby]

Originally Posted by tallanvor At my oldest's 5yr birthday party we did a pinata and face painting. That was it for planned activities. The rest of the time they just played. My youngest daughter just had one friend over and they just played. Oh, we did have a princess theme, I guess, for my oldest. The cake was a castle (very easy to make), the plates were princess, goodie bags went with the theme (costume jewelry, girly stuff, etc), and the pinata was a pony.

How did you make the castle cake?