How to Throw a Barbie Birthday Party

Barbie themed plates, cups and napkins are available at most party retailers. Take pink or purple streamers, twist them and tape them up around the party area. Balloons are also available with preprinted Barbie images. Or, blow up solid colored balloons and paste on computer printouts of Barbie. Have the guests color pictures from a Barbie coloring book, hanging them up on display when they are finished for personalized decorations.

Since her creation, Barbie has worn makeup. Have a section of the party designated for makeovers. Hire professionals or have friends paint each girl's nails, create fancy hair up-dos and apply light makeup such as blush or tinted lip balm depending on the children's age. After beauty makeovers, have a dress up station for the girls to try on fun outfits such as feather boas or long princess dresses. This is a perfect photo opportunity, so have the camera ready! A photo is a great way for each girl to remember their Barbie moment. Have someone come to the party dressed as Barbie in a long blonde wig, high heels and colorful dress. This person could be a hired actress or a local teenager. Have the girls pose with Barbie or have her autograph pictures.

Now that each girl is dressed to the nines, it's time for a fashion show! Dim the lights, turn on the music and allow each girl to strut her stuff down the aisle. Create a runway by lining a path with masking tape. While the funky music plays and the lights are dim, take flashlights and shine them on or near the girls as they walk down the runway to create an authentic fashion feel.

Go to an inexpensive store and pick up sandals, flip flop or plain ballet flats for each guest. Have the girls decorate their own Barbie shoes with paint, glitter, pom-poms and rhinestones. This will get messy, so place a table cloth or newspaper underneath the crafting area. Start this activity earlier in the party so the shoes can dry by the time the guests leave.

A request for a Barbie cake is nothing new to bakers. Cakes can be creative in the shape of Barbie's silhouette, face, or a gown with an actual Barbie doll coming out of the top. If you have a plain cake, write a happy birthday message in icing and place an actual Barbie right on top. Be careful not to place the doll close to the candles because the plastic will melt or the synthetic fibers in the hair could catch on fire.

Fill goodie bags with girly accessories, such as plastic jewelry, flavored lip gloss and colorful nail polish. Make sure the girls take home their decorated shoes, Barbie coloring pages and photos from posing with Barbie or modeling their looks on the catwalk. All of these fun, Barbie-themed activities will make it a memorable day for the birthday girl, her guests, and for you!