Toy Story Themed Birthday

In 2010, Toy Story 3 was THE summer movie, so of course the kids requested a Toy Story themed party.  The Disney magazine Family Fun had an article about making alien cupcakes. They were cute but I wanted to take it up a notch. I wanted something I could make ahead of time, and using gumpaste for the eyes, antennae and ears was a great solution.  Michael's craft stores sell Wilton's pre-made gumpaste and fondant in their cake decorating section.

I shaped the eyes using a melon baller, and when they dried, dotted them with a toothpick using black food dye. The ears were cut from gumpaste using a small leaf cookie cutter, with the endspinched so they could be inserted into the cupcake. The day of the party, I made the cupcakes, quickly frosted them green, and then attached all the pre-made decorations.  For the display I used a simple cupcake holder to which I attached a wooden dowel covered with aluminum foil and attached a claw (also aluminum foil). I centered the aliens around the claw so it appears like they were awed by the mysterious claw from the sky as they were in the movie. The kids loved it.

For the party bags I kept it really simple. I used cellophane bags and filled them with lollipops; toy story stickers, toy story sillybandz, and a toy story figurine. Sillybandz are a silicone bracelet that keep their shape. Being a rather marketable fad, they are sold in pretty much any theme now so they make great and inexpensive party favors. The figurines are also another inexpensive but great party favor. If you are having a Disney themed party, the Disney store sells figurine sets for around $10 and usually contain 8-12 related figurines. I purchased two of the Toy Story sets and allowed each child to pick their own toy as they left.