| The Backyardigans is an animated musical-adventure | | | | so in this game, kids try get each other laughing by |
| series for children ages 2 to 5. In each episode, the | | | | making a funny face or movement. With everyone in |
| show's five high-spirited preschool friends--Uniqua, | | | | a circle, the birthday child kneels in front of someone, |
| Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, and Austin--rely on their vivid | | | | and tries to make him or her laugh with a funny face |
| imaginations to transform their backyard into a | | | | or movement. If "Uniqua" needs help, the others can |
| fantastical 3-D landscape, and together they embark | | | | join in and try to make the child laugh too. (No tickling!) |
| on amazing epic journeys. The Backyardigans are | | | | After laughing, child becomes the next Uniqua and |
| loved by both children and parent's alike making this | | | | selects someone else to kneel in front of. |
| the perfect party theme for both boys and girls. | | | | Party Games: Chances are the age group for this |
| Whether you incorporate a pirate theme with a | | | | party will be quite young so it would be best to keep |
| treasure hunt and a 'walking the plank' game or have a | | | | the games very simple. Try traditional games like "Hot |
| beach party making sandcastles and holding a limbo | | | | Potato" - Change it to Hot Tyrone or any character |
| contest, the possibilities are endless. Be sure to use | | | | that is your child's favourite or they have a stuffed toy |
| your child's favourite episode as a guide. | | | | of. Players form a circle. A bean bag or stuffed toy is |
| Decorations: If weather permits, host your birthday | | | | passed from player to player while music is played. |
| party outdoors, in the backyard of course. Your | | | | When the music stops, the player who has the bean |
| backyard will provide the perfect backdrop for a | | | | bag is out and sits in the center. The last one out wins. |
| Backyardigans Birthday Party. Swings, Sandboxes, | | | | Stops should be made frequently so the game moves |
| Play Houses, Picnic Tables, Kiddie Pools and play | | | | quickly and players will not be out for a long period. |
| centers are the perfect addition. If the party is not | | | | Duck, Duck, Goose -Change it to Uniqua, Uniqua, |
| during the warm seasonal months that O.K too. You | | | | PABLO! All of the children except one sit in a circle |
| will just have to bring the Backyard Indoors! Create an | | | | facing each other. The remaining person goes around |
| open indoor space where children will have plenty of | | | | the circle, tapping each child gently on the head and |
| room to roam. Cover 1 or 2 walls with butcher paper | | | | saying "duck."2. When the tapper says "goose," the |
| or rolled paper. Outline with paint a few trees, some | | | | child whose head was just touched jumps up and |
| grass, a sun and maybe some friendly bugs and | | | | chases the tapper around the circle. 3. The tapper in |
| butterflies before the party. Provide crayons to the | | | | turn tries to get all the way back to the goose's spot |
| kids and let them go! Ask them to draw their favourite | | | | without getting tagged by the goose. If the tapper |
| character, colour in the objects or draw anything else | | | | succeeds, the goose becomes the new tapper and |
| they wish. Gather 2 or 3 large appliance boxes and | | | | the game continues. But if the goose catches the |
| cut a few holes to fashion doors and windows. Then | | | | tapper, the tapper continues his or her walk around the |
| allow the kids to colour and decorate their | | | | circle. |
| Backyardigans play house. | | | | Food: At the end of every episode, one of the friends |
| Craft Center: Have a craft table set-up. Have available | | | | invites the others over for a snack, so finger foods are |
| supplies like Backyardigans colouring sheets, | | | | a great choice when trying to decide what kind of |
| construction paper, stickers, scissors (kid friendly), glue | | | | food to serve. Throughout the party have a few |
| sticks, Popsicle sticks, Pom Poms etc. so the kids can | | | | bowls of snack food like Goldfish Crackers, Pretzels |
| use their imaginations and create their very own | | | | and Animal Crackers available for snacking. When you |
| backyard adventure. Bubble Bottles and Playdough are | | | | announce lunch time be prepared for some hungry little |
| also a great addition. | | | | guests. Have Grilled Cheese Bites and French Fries for |
| Activities: 'Let's Try This' is a rendition of Simon Says. | | | | lunch. That is the Backyardigans favourite Meal! Serve |
| Turn on some playful music like one of the | | | | the grilled cheese with the crusts cut off and slices into |
| Backyardigans CD's. Once the dancing begins, invite | | | | 3 strips. Also have lots of cut up fruit with a sweet |
| kids to take turns calling, "Let's try this!" while showing a | | | | yogurt dip for dipping. Kids love to dip. Do not forget |
| special stretch or dance move. Everyone is to follow. | | | | the juice boxes! Lots of juice boxes in all flavors. |
| When it feels like a good time to switch players, ring a | | | | Just remember that it doesn't need to be terribly |
| bell or make some other special sign. 'Silly Uniqua' is a | | | | complicated for the young children to have a good |
| game where the object is to make another player | | | | time. Most young children are just thrilled to spend time |
| laugh. Uniqua loves to be silly and make others laugh, | | | | with their friends doing just about anything. |