Your child’s birthday is coming up next month and, as usual, you’re trying to think of a fun theme that you can use so your child will enjoy his or her special day. When you’re about to tell him about the possible themes that you can use, he just shakes his head and says they’re all too “childish.” He doesn’t want to have a cartoon superhero or a space adventure party anymore; he wants something that’s fun, but without any kiddie theme. If this is your problem, why not ask him if he’d like to have a backwards party?

A backwards party is a regular children’s party, except for one distinct difference: everything goes and appears backwards, including the invitations, the decorations, the party food and even the children’s costumes. It’s a creative and topsy-turvy theme that everyone will enjoy. It’s also easy to prepare. All you have to remember is to think backwards!

Throwing a backwards party is a fun and easy-to-do option, as long as you know the basic details of the party. Here are several tips to create a successful and creative backwards party.

Reading Backwards: The Party Invitations

Instead of sending the usual “you’re invited!” cards, send the “thank-you” cards instead. Handwrite the party details, but instead of printing them the normal way, write the message backwards to confuse the receivers. Just make sure it’s legible enough so they will understand the message. Here’s an extra tip: so the receiver won’t have a difficult time reading it, print small instructions at the bottom part of the invitation saying “hold this up to a mirror to reveal the hidden message!”

A Backwards Venue: Decorations

You can use the usual decorations for your party, except that you should put them in unusual, topsy-turvy positions. For example, at the entrance, you can place an “Exit” sign, and at the exit you can put an “Entrance” sign. Then, hang balloons upside down from the ceiling, dangling from their strings. The banner should be printed backwards and the streamers should be on the floor instead of on the ceiling.

Dining Backwards: Party Food

The table setting itself and how the kids dine should also be backwards. The tablecloth should be on the floor, along with the plates and cups, placed in topsy-turvy positions. All the chairs should be against the wall. Let the children eat underneath the table while sitting on the floor. The food you serve should also have a backwards theme, such as backwards hot dogs and pizza in a cup. Backwards hot dogs would be a hot dog wiener that is sliced in half, and with a piece of bun in between the slices. Pizza in a cup is simply regular pizza, but placed inside a glass instead of on a plate.

Topsy-Turvy Playtime: Party Games

There are numerous fun games that you can let the kids play during a backwards party. A scavenger hunt, with all the instructions backwards, is a fun option.

Another enjoyable game is “sardines.” One child, who is “it,” hides, and the rest of the children look for him or her. When each child finds the “missing” it, they hide with him or her. The last person who isn’t hiding is the “it” for the next round.

For your older child, a backwards party is a nice option you can use. Try out this fun party idea and you might just enjoy having a messy and topsy-turvy time. Your child and his guests will surely thank you for it!

You can even sing “Happy Birthday” backwards to complete the theme. Watch the video below to see an example.