Pippi Longstocking, a character in a series of books written by Astrid Lingren, is a children’s classic character. Pippi is an independent little girl who lives alone in a Tumbledown house with her pet monkey, Mr. Nilsson, and her horse. She is always doing things in an extraordinary way with a unique perspective.
I loved Pippi as a child and she lives on for all generations to enjoy. You may find that your own daughter reminds you of dear Pippi or that she is fascinated by the life of Miss Longstocking. Perhaps a party based on Pippi Longstocking would be extraordinary fun for your daughter and her friends. If the idea appeals, check out these ideas:
- Base your party on the tale of Pippi who has an adventure celebrating her own birthday with her neighbors, Aniika and Tommy.
- Send out a Pippi invitation with misspelled words, as Pippi sends to her friends.
- When the kids arrive, paint freckles on each of the kids’ faces.
- Either have the guests braid one another’s hair to look like Pippi or have adult volunteers braid the kids’ hair.
- Pippi won’t let her guests stand on the kitchen floor, and it becomes a game. Make different shapes and tape them all over your kitchen or party floor…make it a game that your guests cant touch the floor either. Play music and have the kids step on all of the different shapes. When the music stops, all the kids must be on a shape or they are out. Noone should touch the kitchen floor!
- Pippi takes great pleasure in giving her own guests gifts. Have your birthday kid give small trinket gifts to her guests.
- Have a scavenger hunt to look for penny candy ~ a favorite of Pippi’s. Provide little bags for the kids to gather their goodies…these can be the goody bag that they take home.
- Have the kids tell a tall tale together. Everyone sits in a circle, and the birthday kid can begin the tall tale, and the next person adds to the tale, and then the next person, and so on…by the end a tall tale will have been spun!
- Have the kids enjoy jump roping. Have a contest to see who can jump rope the longest.
- Have the kids make their own Tumbledown house using popsicle sticks, glue, markers, crayons, and glitter glue.
The ideas are endless, and you can find your inspiration just by reading Pippi’s adventures, and then using them in a way that brings her world alive for your party guests. It will be loads of fun to have a Pippi Party!!
Submitted by Lisa Kothari
Lisa Kothari is the Founder and President of Peppers and Pollywogs, a kids’ party planning company. Visit our experts page to read more about Lisa Kothari and our party planning experts.
