Repunzel Party -3yr- Feast of Gold & Jewels

My daughter loves the book Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox (and now the Disney Movie Tangled).  My daughter has more boys her age and so we had to make the party be a Prince and Princess party.  

All the of the supplies were purchased from the Dollar Store and included Princess Plates and Cups and goodie bags, special rings, necklaces, royal whistles, magic potion (bubbles) and princess stickers.  All for under $10 total.    The invitation had a free clip art picture of a knight and a princess and said  Sir  _______ or Princess _______-You are summoned to Queen _______'s 3rd Birthday! Arrive at the Our Castle Thursday April 14th at the Stroke of Noon Dress in your royal best! RSVP __________ Lunch Provided 

The guest walked up a taped down red "carpet" made of red plastic table clothes and greeted the Birthday Queen who was dressed in her favorite princess dress.  Above her I had a long "braid" made of yellow yarn dangling from the bannister.  After putting their present into the treasure chest (ottoman) they were able to decorate a princess crown or shield (depending on their gender).  I just used templates printed from the internet onto cardstock with stickers and crayons to decorate.   

After everyone was gathered we ate a royal feast of "gold and jewels".  I just had my daughters favorite foods like macaroni and cheese to look like gold green and purple grapes for jewels and sprite for sparkly non-staining drink.  While the kids ate I read to them the book Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox. In the book a prince tries to get Rapunzel to throw down her hair so he can rescue her but she mishears him and throws down random objects from her room instead including silky dresses  dirty socks cantaloupe and a swine (instead of silky tresses curly locks rope and twine).    

I told the kids that we needed to help out Rapunzel and so I gave the children stick horses to "ride". Then sat in a near by room to go on a "Rapunzel Hunt" which was simply an adaptation of going on a "Bear Hunt".  The adapted form is below: Goin to help Rapunzel (repeat) I'm not afraid (repeat) Got a good horse (children pat their horse at this part...repeat) To help me find my way (repeat)

Oh Oh (repeat) What do I see? (repeat) Oh look! It's some tall grass! (repeat) Can't go over it (repeat) Can't go under it (repeat) Can't go around it (repeat) Got to go through it (repeat -- Make motions with arms like you are clearing a way thru grass and make swishing noise) Goin to help Rapunzel (repeat) I'm not afraid (repeat) Got a good horse (children pat their horse at this part...repeat) To help me find my way (repeat) 

Oh Oh! (repeat) What do I see? (repeat) Oh look! It's a big hole.(repeat) Can't go over it (repeat) Can't go under it (repeat) Can't go through it (repeat) Got to jump over it (Repeat and pretend to run and jump over a hole) Goin to help Rapunzel (repeat) I'm not afraid (repeat) Got a good horse (children pat their horse at this part...repeat) To help me find my way (repeat)

Oh Oh! (repeat) What do I see? (repeat) Oh look! It's a wide river. (repeat) Can't go over it (repeat) Can't go under it (repeat) Can't go through it (repeat) Got to swim across it. (Repeat and pretend to swim.)  Goin to help Rapunzel (repeat) I'm not afraid (repeat) Got a good horse (children pat their horse at this part...repeat) To help me find my way (repeat start walking to the bannister with the yellow braid) Oh Oh! (repeat) What do I see? (repeat) Oh look! A long yellow braid. (repeat) Can't go over it (repeat) Can't go under it (repeat) Can't go through it (repeat) Got to climb up it. (repeat  pretend to climb the hair while walking upstairs)

As we walked up the stairs I told all the kids that the Queen had special treasures for each of them but that they were hidden in the mess that Rapunzel threw down to the prince.  I gave a little card to each kid with pictures of their treasures and a little crayon to mark off each treasure as they found them.  They got to put each of their treasures into their goodie bag (20 count for $1 at the Dollar Store).  I put the prizes into easter eggs with the picture on the outside to make it easier to find then scattered dresses stuffed pigs and socks all over the room.  After the kids found all their treasures a royal trumpet sounded (just an adult making the trumpet noise) to announce the Queen's cake.  

The cake was in the shape of castle (idea from Betty Crocker website but many other cake ideas are out there).  The kids who finished early could string fruit loops onto the string portion of their royal necklace and try on their new royal jewelry.  The party lasted an hour and a half which was perfect for 3 year olds.  The cost of the party with all the decorations and prizes and food was about $40 for 8 kids.