Libraries are more than books. Some kids need a little direction to get the creative juices flowing. I gleaned the following from PUBYAC contributors. If you’re a member, check out the archives. Please add YOUR comments. Your colleagues would appreciate hearing what works, and what didn't!

Mario Theme

See also: RACE CARS AND TRACK

 Super Mario Brothers Birthday Party

Programming Librarian Interest FB Group,May 19, 2022, Sevier County Public Library System (large-scale track)

INVITATIONS:

• Stars, Mushrooms, Racing Karts -- Mario Font
  

DECORATIONS:

• Stars

• Mushrooms

• Racing Karts

• Racing-theme tablecloths, and primary colors to do the rest of the decorating - red plates, green napkins and green striped straws.

• PC pipes and brick wrapped boxes

   

REFRESHMENTS:

• I know food crafts can be a problem these days with so many dairy, nut and wheat allergies. But if you do food crafts, here are a couple ideas:

• Piranha Plant cupcakes or cake lollipops

• Chocolate covered doughnuts to look like racing wheels

• vegie tray arranged like a fire-flower--broccoli as leaves

• Ice Power Popcorn

• Fire Power Cheese Doodles

• Mario Mushroom Pops- marshmallows partially dipped in candy melts, on a stick

• Power-Up Water

• Princess Peach Punch

• sugar cookies decorated as mushrooms, stars, clouds,  or Goombas

• Yoshi eggs--chocolate or otherwise

• Mario's chocolate lollipop mustaches

• Toad's Tostitos
  

• gold chocolate coins
  

• see also: Recipes for Storytime

FAVORS/CRAFTS:

• bookmarks

• mustache whistles (to represent Mario and Luigi)

• chocolate golden coins or stars

• mushroom erasers

• a race car (for the Mario Kart reference)

• banana candy with a printable of Donkey Kong placed on the top

• check Pinterest for other Mario crafts

GAMES:

Depending on the ages of the kids, you may want to dispense with these and just play one of the video games.

• PIN—the mustache on Mario or Luigi
• TOSS—green & red turtle shells, fireballs--Mario specific, check Google Images
• RELAY—obstacle course--jumping and dodging

PROGRAM:

• Read a story/poem

• Crafts--check Pinterest (break up the group, so that some are making crafts while others are playing the game)
  

• Play a few Wii games

VOLUNTEERS:

• Get teen or adult help to “serve”   

COST:

• Most supplies can be purchased in bargain bins at craft stores or Dollar Stores.  

TIME:

• About an hour-and-a-half should be sufficient. (Dependent on the number of children passing through; and how many stations are offered.)