PLAN WITH LEANNE

If you’re looking for a birthday party theme that’s colorful, whimsical, and packed with fun, a Willy Wonka-themed celebration is the golden ticket! With activities inspired by iconic moments in the movie, this party will be a hit with kids and adults alike. Here’s how to create a sweet adventure for all your little Oompa Loompas.

Setting Up the Chocolate Factory

Transform your space into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! Use vibrant decorations like rainbow streamers, oversized candy props, and gold balloons to capture the magical atmosphere. A candy buffet with jars of lollipops, chocolate bars, and gummy treats makes a perfect focal point. Add a few whimsical signs, like “Welcome to the Chocolate Factory” and “Beware: Oompa Loompas at Work.”

Golden Ticket Invitations

Start the fun early with golden ticket invitations! Order some online, or print out invitations on gold cardstock with playful wording, inviting guests to “step into a world of pure imagination.”

Wonka-Inspired Activities and Games

1. Scratch-and-Sniff Poster Fun

Set up a station with large posters featuring “flavors” inspired by the movie, like chocolate, blueberry, and candy cane. Kids scratch the stickers to sniff the scent and guess the flavor. You can even turn it into a competition with small prizes for correct guesses!

2. Pin the Bubble on Violet

In this twist on “Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” create a large poster of Violet Beauregarde mid-blueberry transformation. Each child takes a turn being blindfolded and trying to “pin” a bubble sticker closest to her mouth. It’s guaranteed to cause giggles! Or for an easy setup- grab this game.

3. Check the Egg Station

Channel Veruca Salt’s golden egg debacle with a fun sorting game. Fill plastic eggs with bean boozled jellybean flavors! Some of those area really bad tasting! Or use a mix of “good” and “bad” items (like small toys for “good eggs” and silly trinkets for “bad eggs”). Kids take turns cracking open an egg to see if it’s a keeper or if they’ve been “spoiled!”

4. Candy Laboratory

Set up a candy-making station where kids can create their own edible masterpieces. Provide melted chocolate, sprinkles, and molds for chocolate bars, or let them design their own candy necklaces with fruit loops ceral!

5. Fizzy Lifting Bubbles

Recreate the iconic Fizzy Lifting scene with a bubble-blowing contest. Provide bubble wands and see who can create the biggest or longest-lasting bubble. For extra fun, use scented bubbles that match the scratch-and-sniff station!

Wonka-Worthy Snacks

Chocolate Fountain: The party would not be complete without a chocolate fountain that Augustus Gloop falls into! Set up a fountain with fruit, marshmallows, and pretzels for dipping.

For a light snack make grilled cheese with rainbow swirl bread and rainbow swirl cupcakes: The more colorful the better!

Party Favors

Send each guest home with a small bag of candy they’ve collected throughout the day, and chocolate chapstick! Add a note that says, “Thanks for visiting the Chocolate Factory!”

This Willy Wonka-themed birthday party is guaranteed to delight kids and spark their imaginations. With scratch-and-sniff posters, bubble-blowing fun, and golden eggs to check, it’s a sweet celebration they’ll remember forever.

What’s your favorite Willy Wonka moment? Share your ideas for more themed activities in the comments!