I love hosting themed birthday parties for my kids. It is something that I find creatively enjoyable, and the kids all seem to appreciate it. Although I go big, I try to keep it budget friendly and the invite list small. This Rock Star Glam Birthday Bash was tailored to my daughter, Cassidy, who just turned 11. We celebrated with five of her good friends and what an AWESOME time we had!
I designed several pieces for this party and am sharing them at the bottom of this post so that you can recreate it in your own home!
One of my favorite parts of this whole Rock Star Birthday Bash were the Backstage Pass Invitations. I designed and printed the invites and placed them inside clear plastic ID pouches attached to lanyards. Cassidy handed the VIP Invites to friends while at school.
Party Time
One of the benefits of keeping the guest list small is you can easily turn your house into a party zone! My living room was a photo studio, the kitchen was our dining space and the basement is where the girls had their make-up done, opened presents and just hung out.
When the girls arrived at our house they were greeted by Krista who played the part of Security perfectly. She had a clipboard with the VIP list – if the names not on the list, no entry! TIP: Invite YOUR friends to help with the party! You’ll have just as much fun as the kids.
Once inside, the girls were ushered past the “photo studio” to the greenroom/make-up and hair station where they got glammed up by the resident make-up artist, Melissa. She dolled them up with blue eye shadow, sparkles, lip gloss, and hair extensions. It was great to see everyone had come dressed in their rocker best.
My helpers all wore brightly colored shirts with their role on the back. The shirts were made by creating freezer paper stencils which I cut with my Cricut (affiliate link). I was the PARTY PLANNER, Melissa was MAKE-UP (and should have been CHEF too!), Krista was SECURITY, and Michelle was PHOTOGRAPHER.
Party Photo Shoot
Once the first girl was suitably gussied up, she was sent off to the photo studio for her magazine cover shoot. We had the lights, the camera, and the action!Â
A fan was used to give the hair a windblown effect, and we had a guitar, drum sticks, and glasses for props. I turned the radio on and the girls had a blast in front of the camera. Some were more comfortable than others, but Michelle is a professional photographer and was able to draw each girl’s personality out. For those that needed it, she helped direct, and those that didn’t, she let rock out. The girls were thoroughly impressed with this experience! They really were pretty excited about the whole thing, which made the whole night for me.
Once all of the girl’s photos were taken, Michelle loaded the photos onto her computer. Together we picked out the ones we liked best. I inserted them into the magazine cover that I had designed ahead of time and then printed them out. Once we trimmed them down, I inserted them into frames I picked up at a bargain shop for $2 each.
UPDATE: I’ve had a lot of questions on how to make the magazine covers. I’m a graphic designer and used Illustrator for mine, but you can use a free online software like Canva, or there are even free websites that will allow you to upload a photo and change out headlines, etc.
Party Buffet Table
While Michelle and I were doing all of that, the girls were eating dinner, thanks to the help of Melissa. For dessert, we had cake pops and an ice cream buffet – which was a big hit.
 The buffet table was set up in my dining room and was covered with cake pops, ice cream toppings, sodas and favor boxes. I also covered glass bottles of root beer and orange cream with custom labels and made table tents that matched the rest of the party design. This all just added to the party atmosphere. The girls thought it looked so cool and couldn’t believe it was all for them.
The favor boxes were from the Target Dollar Spot. I filled them with pop rocks, ring pops, shutter glasses, glow sticks, DIY custom guitar pick necklaces and a DIY felt ruffle flower barrette.
Magazine Cover Reveal
After the girls were done eating, we sent them downstairs to hang out while we set up their framed magazine covers. Once the frames were on display we called the girls up for the reveal. I absolutely LOVED their reactions!
Judging by all of the comments, and even texts I got from the moms in the days afterwards, everyone had a blast. This party will definitely be remembered for years to come!
Rock Star Birthday Banner – print onto 8.5 x 11 cardstock, cut out, punch holes in the two top corners of each piece and add to a length of ribbon or string.
Kim is a Marketing Specialist with Inspiration Media Solutions by day and Blogger by night. She's a wife, mom of three beautiful children and two fur-babies, a Goldendoodle and a rescued Pibble. For even more Inspiration Made Simple, like her on Facebook and Instagram+.
Oh my word. This party is FABULOUS!!! You are a girl after my own heart with all the details that went into this party. I just did a pirate party for my son and had a blast. My little girl is only 7 so it’ll be a couple years but I’m definitely putting this in my to do in the future folder. Thanks for sharing!! oh and I LOVE the magazine cover shots as a giveaway, so much fun!
All of your idea’s were wonderful. Can you please tell me which web site you used for the magazines phots shots. My daughter will be 10 next year, I would love for her to have a Rock Star Party. Thanks for sharing.
Anon- I’m not sure what you mean by which website. If you are referring to the design of the covers, I created those myself in Illustrator. If you are savvy in word, it could be done adding Text Boxes over a photo which has been sized to 8×10.
I’m throwing a Rock Star party for my 5 yr old next week and found we have a lot of similar ideas! Great minds… 😉 I also appreciate your sharing all those download files – so generous – thanks! I wanted to share the food table tents, but when I print them, they’re tiny since it has 10 tents on one 8.5×11 piece of paper. Am I supposed to be doing something different when I print the file you shared?
Hi! I am planning a party for my almost 12 year old and came across your fabulous idea for the magazine cover! Where did you get your ideas for the cover…I’m trying to come up with some cute stuff, but I’m running out of creativity. 🙂 I love your layout and the fun and different ideas for headlines. I’m using photoshop, it’s coming together slowly. THANKS for your help!
Hi Brindy – I pulled out of my head except for the Miranda Cosgrove one which I actually saw on a cover of seventeen. 😉 I would recommend looking at other Tween covers – maybe you will get other ideas from there. I created the layout weeks prior to the party, and then I just moved headlines around to fit around each picture. I did have to delete one headline from one or two covers so it looked right.
My name is Kim, founder of Inspiration Made Simple, and I'm really glad you have stopped by!
I'm a mom, wife, fitness and fashion enthusiast. I love sharing simple and affordable ideas that help make your busy life easier, including craft tutorials, affordable fashion, printables, recipes, party ideas, and fun family activities. Learn more about Kim...
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What a fun party! Those “magazine cover shots” were amazing. How lucky you are to have a photographer in the family.
Kim, your just plain awesome. I want a party like this. You have a beautiful daughter, and she is blessed to have such a creative mom.
Oh my word. This party is FABULOUS!!! You are a girl after my own heart with all the details that went into this party. I just did a pirate party for my son and had a blast. My little girl is only 7 so it’ll be a couple years but I’m definitely putting this in my to do in the future folder. Thanks for sharing!! oh and I LOVE the magazine cover shots as a giveaway, so much fun!
too adorable. i just posted about my daughter’s bday also!
i’m a new follower 🙂
http://www.myhappilyeverafteragain.blogspot.com
All of your idea’s were wonderful. Can you please tell me which web site you used for the magazines phots shots. My daughter will be 10 next year, I would love for her to have a Rock Star Party. Thanks for sharing.
Anon- I’m not sure what you mean by which website. If you are referring to the design of the covers, I created those myself in Illustrator. If you are savvy in word, it could be done adding Text Boxes over a photo which has been sized to 8×10.
I’m throwing a Rock Star party for my 5 yr old next week and found we have a lot of similar ideas! Great minds… 😉 I also appreciate your sharing all those download files – so generous – thanks! I wanted to share the food table tents, but when I print them, they’re tiny since it has 10 tents on one 8.5×11 piece of paper. Am I supposed to be doing something different when I print the file you shared?
Hi! I am planning a party for my almost 12 year old and came across your fabulous idea for the magazine cover! Where did you get your ideas for the cover…I’m trying to come up with some cute stuff, but I’m running out of creativity. 🙂 I love your layout and the fun and different ideas for headlines. I’m using photoshop, it’s coming together slowly. THANKS for your help!
Hi Brindy – I pulled out of my head except for the Miranda Cosgrove one which I actually saw on a cover of seventeen. 😉 I would recommend looking at other Tween covers – maybe you will get other ideas from there. I created the layout weeks prior to the party, and then I just moved headlines around to fit around each picture. I did have to delete one headline from one or two covers so it looked right.
Good luck!
Kim
Spectacular and so fun!! Thanks for submitting to Living Creative Thursdays! Featured you here: http://www.livinglocurto.com/2013/05/adorable-party-ideas-for-girls/