Today I hosted our playgroups Back to School party. It was a pirate theme. The guests arrived and were given a bandana to use as a skull cap, a captains hat or a princess crown. The kids donned their headgear and then were sent on the mission to get to the X that marks the spot. First they had to run to the top of the playstructure to the "lookout" post. They were told to yell, "AHOY, Pirates!" Then they were to zig zag through the cones to avoid the alligators and were met with an enemy pirate ship (of sidewalk chalk). They were to take a water balloon and bomb the enemy ship to destroy it. (ie water washing the chalk away.) Then they went up the treasure trail following the flags to the X spot and dug in the sand to find the treasure of gold coins. (ie a bucket filled with sand and gold coins.) These coins and trinkets were then traded in for prizes. Also hidden around the park were pictures of parrots. If you found a parrot, you earned a pirate sword. The kids had a ball with all of that and brought all sorts of coins in for trading to receive eye patches, pirate mugs, coin necklaces, stickers, finger puppets and enemy pirate heads. When that died down, we had lunch. Everyone brought a side or drinks and I provided a Chick Fil A nugget tray. Everyone ate and had a good time. The kids went back to playing and then we called them over to do that last activity: The PIRATE TREASURE CHEST PINATA. All the kids were given a treasure box to put their goodies in.
It was a success. I am exhausted! Today was my last day as the leader of the playgroup. It's bittersweet. I enjoyed doing it, but I always feel like it's best to pass the reins along while I'm on top. I am remaining in the group as an Asst organizer for the time being, but will eventually fall back into the ranks of plain old member!
