Brave Movie Party – Princess Merida & Friends – Scottish Themed Birthday

My little girl turned 8. That’s a big thing in our household πŸ™‚Β  Being 8 is Great!! πŸ™‚

We originally planned on not having a party. Because she would be Baptized this year. However we had to postpone it for family reasons and it will be in a few months. So we had to do something for the big day. She really wanted a BRAVE party after seeing the wonderful Disney Movie – “Brave”

I searched the internet high and low. VERY LITTLE was out there for a Brave party. So I had to use the little bit of inspiration on Pinterest and spin off on my own things. I wanted to reuse as much as possible. I litterally threw this party together in under 2 weeks.Β  So I thought I would share our party with our wonderful readers in case you too need to have a Brave party. πŸ™‚

(Photo above- our own Princess Merida aka Birthday Girl)Β  Dress came from Etsy– best seller ever – She got us this dress in record time for her birthday πŸ™‚ Thank you Tootietots!!

Our Goodie bag table- the party goers got to put together their own goodie bags at the end of the party πŸ™‚

Gumballs πŸ™‚

Glowsticks — why?? Because I had TONS of them from a party in the past. We ordered a huge box of glow sticks off ebay for cheap. I keep reusing these glow sticks for lots of parties. Best buy ever. Kids love them πŸ™‚

I also had fun straws. I got them at like 70% off at JoAnn’s a while ago. I picked up a few packs. Their clearance along with a 15% off EVERYTHING coupon = CHEAP STRAWS!! WOOHOO!!

In the movie – Merida follows blue Wisps. So we used tootie roll lollipops just like you make halloween ghosts, we did blue tissue paper to make Wisps.

Here is another photo (sorry from my iphone) Of the wisps up close.

I used a 5×7 frame to make a sign letting the party goers know what the table was for and to take one of each item for their bags. I got the art from Disney website- it is really a “THANK YOU CARD” I used for myselfΒ  for this table πŸ™‚

I added a fun wrapper to Hershey bars. πŸ™‚Β  Called them Bravery Chocolates. I had lots of Hershey bars I needed to use up- so I was able to do so πŸ™‚

Here is a better photo of the Hershey bars πŸ™‚ This turned out so cute!!

The goodie bags- I used kraft bags from the Dollar Tree. Tied on plaid fabric and on my Silhouette machine- I did a trace using the Dun Broach Clan (that was Merida’s clan she belonged to) Had my Silhouette cut out the symbol and glued them to the front of the bags πŸ™‚ I love how those turned out too!!

The container of little chocolates , I relabeled those too πŸ™‚

Hershey Nugget candies πŸ™‚

One other item that went in their bags were these cute Triplet Brother Bears. Merida’s brothers were turned into cubs- and these Graham Cracker Chocolate- Teddy Grahams I put into little baggies with a tag. I made these also for her school class as well πŸ™‚

Front of the bag tag…

Back of the bag tag.

 

Outside we set up our beach tent. To host our Scottish Highland Games πŸ™‚Β  All the kids went outside to do 3 games and 1 craft. Scottish families are represented by their Plaid sashes or kilts. I already owned a bunch of red plaid. I used a 60% coupon from JoAnn’s Fabrics and purchased Green/Blue plaid (similar to the movie) And used the fabric alot in this party.

I tied 2 inch x 20 inch strips onto twine just for a swag/garland decoration to the tent. Very easy to do. Every 6 inches i tied on a colored fabric strip.

We created flags. One of each fabric. Simply serging the outside edge andΒ  tying it ontoΒ  a 5 foot PVC pipe. I added a cap to the top of the PVC pipe and used a screw in round eyelet , screwed in so I could tie the flag on so it wouldn’t slip. I did a red and a green plaid flag for decorations.

We had 10 kids participating, we made sashes for each of the kids. They measured 11 x 60 inches. Simply cut out and serged the outside edges that was all. For the buckle we just made Dun Broach Clan symbols in our button/pin maker. So they could pin the sashes on and we could form 2 teams. πŸ™‚ AKA Clans.

It was a pool party- and this is our Green Clan (sashes on and the pin to hold it together like Scottsman wear. πŸ™‚

Our Red Clan πŸ™‚

Then the Scottish Highland Games began!!

We started with a Bean Bag throw. We allowed all the teams to throw 4 bean bags each keeping track of points. The team with the most points won πŸ™‚Β  This tutorial was found here – How to make your own Cornhole game. However I was inspired for this game from this blog – INSIDE THE MAGIC

Spray painted the cornhole game, we added 3 holes instead of 1. Also the symbol again- cut out in vinyl from my Silhouette. I can remove it easily after the party to reuse this game for other parties in the future or my cub scouts πŸ™‚

I created 6×6 bean bags. 4 for each team using 1/2 cup of beans per bag πŸ™‚ I just used pinto beans I got from Walmart πŸ™‚ Easy project πŸ™‚

Kids taking turns throwing the bean bags πŸ™‚

Our 2nd activity at the party was putting together Bear Claw necklaces. A craft that was easy/quick. In the movie (I don’t want to give too much away if you haven’t seen it yet)Β  Certain people become bears.Β  So to tie in the BEARS from the movie, we used plastic bear claws.Β  Beads and leather necklace/straps we got from JoAnn’s. The bear claw bead we got from – CrazyCrow.com very inexpensive and they came EXTREMELY quickly. πŸ™‚ I was happy for that. We were on a tight schedule πŸ™‚ I even purchased extras to make some with my cub scouts soon πŸ™‚

I just cut the leather straps/necklace long enough to do a tie off on the back to slip over their heads. Easy Peasy πŸ™‚

Our 3rd Activity was a HIT!!!Β  Merida loved to do archery. So we played an archery game that was EXTREMELY popular. Everyone loved it, even the dads and older siblings.

The instructions for the bows came from the blog – Skip to my lou. PVC Bows. We did make a few alterations.
1- I used electrical tape on the center handle (black part)
2- I didnt like their arrows very much.

The arrows are 16 inches and 3/8 of an inch wooden dowels. We simply E-6000 pencil eraser caps to the end for our arrows and used our saw to cut a notch on the back in to help shoot them. They worked great!!

Can you see that arrow flying through the air???? (That is my awesome son in the green swim suit)

Basically the team with the most members to shoot the furthest won a point. After everyone shot 4 arrows the team with the furthest shot won a point till everyone had a turn. Then the team with the most points won. Follow? πŸ™‚Β  Clear as mud?

Last but not least we saved this for last- was our water shooting contest.Β  Go to war (water war) and out soak the other team. Sashes were fabric (could get wet) Pins were relatively water proof.

2 – 5 gallon buckets on each end filled with water. The water guns reminded me of an “arrow” like in the movie. I got those at the Dollar Tree. They call them water blasters – FOUND HERE I got blue/green to go with our theme colors. They were able to keep the blasters and their sashes as gifts too πŸ™‚

I was SOOO EXCITED how this BRAVE cake turned out. It is filled with raspberry filling πŸ™‚Β  YUM YUM. I got the little figurines from Toys R Us. And created the cake. This was our 1st big cake decorated. I am pleased how it turned out. I have to thank PINTEREST for finding this fun cake — Cakes & Cookies Blog. I love the cake they made πŸ™‚ I had to try it too.Β  Not too shabby for my 1st try.

Florida is HOT HOT HOT. We had lot of cold water to drink at the party for everyone. πŸ™‚ We relabeled all the water with our own labels we created πŸ™‚Β  Love them too. They were a conversation piece with all the adults for sure πŸ™‚

We did a bbq for the party. Hamburgers and Hotdogs and lots of sides.

However a FEW TIPS…..

There was ONE OTHER goodie bag item I made that did NOT survive the Florida heat. I was SO SO SAD. I would definitely make them again but not use them in a hot environment.

Another blue WISPS candy idea–

(this is from my iphone)

Clear plastic cups filled with blue cotton candy. Wrapped in cellophane and a tag I created. I was so sad the heat KILLED IT. It melted it and turned rock hard. The humidity and heat was not good to the cotton candy. So– I was bummed!!

I was so proud of my tags too – “Follow the wisps…Change your fate”

Better luck next time right??

Also– the chocolate– since it was an outside party on the porch. I had to keep the chocolate items in a fridge and brought out till JUST before the end of the party. For obvious reasons.Β Β  Florida heat can put a damper on fun yummies for sure.

It was a great party. πŸ™‚Β  I am so happy how it turned out. πŸ™‚ I hope our party inspired other Brave Party friends πŸ™‚

I have to thank my wonderful husband for helping out so much. He actually did MOST of the sewing!! HE ROCKS!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BIG BRAVE GIRL!!!

**Lots of people have asked about purchasing these printables. They are available for purchase. Email us directly and we can give you details. We are working on an Etsy shop but in the mean time feel free to drop us an email. 7 files included and 5 of them are personalized with name and birthday age**







86 Responses to Brave Movie Party – Princess Merida & Friends – Scottish Themed Birthday
  1. Suze
    September 8, 2012 | 7:22 am

    This party looks amazing.. I’m sure Brooke love it!

  2. Nicole M.
    September 8, 2012 | 3:37 pm

    Awesome party!

  3. Julie
    September 9, 2012 | 11:45 pm

    How do you make your chocolate bar labels and where did you find the art work for all of your tags/labels? Everything was just so cute!

  4. Jontie Meehan
    September 11, 2012 | 11:16 am

    What did you use to attach the eraser to the arrow?

  5. C&MB
    September 11, 2012 | 5:07 pm

    I made all my labels in photoshop. And the art work I found in google images πŸ™‚ Thanks so much!! πŸ™‚

  6. C&MB
    September 11, 2012 | 5:08 pm

    I used E-6000 glue. It is the most awesome glue ever.

  7. 4boyzmom
    September 16, 2012 | 12:00 am

    I really have to say that your cake looks fantastic! 1st time??? You must be kidding! LOL

  8. irene k
    September 22, 2012 | 1:46 am

    The link for how to make the bows isn’t working! I really would like to make some. Can you post how?

  9. Sean
    September 24, 2012 | 2:13 am

    Was wondering if you used a template for your candy wrappers in Photoshop. If so, where can I get them and what version of Photoshop are you using?

  10. jennifer
    September 25, 2012 | 6:21 pm

    yes can you please share those candy wrapper and water bottle templates

  11. Dee
    September 27, 2012 | 2:35 pm

    My 8 DD is having a Brave party and I have been trying to plan something nice. Oh thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas!! You are right, there are hardly anything out there for Brave parties right now, but bet your brilliant party will be the one everyone copies! πŸ™‚

  12. Dures
    October 3, 2012 | 3:31 am

    wow, I am so impressed by all your ideas. Extremely creative – esp that you only had 2 weeks to get all of this done. I’d love to borrow some of your ideas for my child’s party in a month. Thank you!!

  13. secondcareerteacher
    October 12, 2012 | 8:34 am

    My daughter loved Brave. These are some really creative ideas! And your cake looked great!

  14. Karen
    October 13, 2012 | 8:38 pm

    Beautiful job! Would you be willing to share your files for all of the labels? I just love ’em and they would be perfect for my lil girls party πŸ™‚

  15. Ashley
    October 14, 2012 | 9:49 pm

    thank you for these ideas, these are awesome πŸ™‚ we r planning a brave party in november and needed some fresh ideas. I love this!!

  16. Karen
    November 3, 2012 | 10:53 pm

    Amazing party. I was wondering if you’d share the silhouette file. I’d love to use it for our upcoming party. Of course I’d credit you in my inevitable blog post. πŸ™‚

  17. Mary
    November 18, 2012 | 1:17 pm

    Hi! I’m from Monterrey,Mexico.

    I’m a pinterest fan, and I was searching for brave party ideas for my little girl’s next bday party, she also is turning 8 this November 2012. I really liked your ideas for the party, I was woundering if you can tell me where can i get the printables for the chocolates and cookies, invitations.
    Thanks and hope you can write me back.
    Mary.

  18. Heather
    December 28, 2012 | 10:54 pm

    I was researching Brave party ideas and found your site! So creative!! I absolutely LOVE the wisp lollipops – I am going to borrow this idea, but of course I will link to you when I blog about it πŸ™‚ So awesome! And to think you only had TWO weeks!!

  19. Susan
    January 7, 2013 | 3:09 pm

    You did an amazing job! Of course my 3 yr old wants Merida because her older sister loves it! I would love to know how u did the candy wrappers. Are they off a site or do I have to make a template??! I’m not the most experienced computer person so any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much!

  20. Julie
    January 15, 2013 | 12:24 am

    I don’t know about the last person that commented but I’d be willing to purchase some of your jpg artwork, maybe she would be interested in purchasing too!

  21. Vana
    January 19, 2013 | 7:09 pm

    Hello,
    I love your ideas for the Brave theme birthday party. I would like to know where I could get those lime green plastic pins that you have the favors in.
    I can’t seem to find them anywhere.

    Thank you,
    Vana

  22. Vana
    January 21, 2013 | 4:50 pm

    oops…I mean lime green plastic bins/buckets – not pins.
    Thank you,

  23. Lilly
    January 24, 2013 | 12:36 am

    Thanks so much!!!!!!!!

  24. Kate
    January 25, 2013 | 1:41 pm

    My daughter already told me she wants a Merida party this summer. Thanks for doing all the planning! You ideas are perfect so now I don’t need to reinvent the wheel! Thank you so much! You’ve saved me SOOOO much time. I love ALL of it!!!

  25. Cari
    January 29, 2013 | 2:37 am

    I would love to know where you got the labels for the water bottles, chocolate and the symbol. Your ideas are amazing and my daughter wants a Merida party this year, so I was hoping to borrow some ideas from you. Thanks so much!!!
    Cari:)

  26. Tiffiny Felix
    January 29, 2013 | 1:33 pm

    I’m so happy to have found this! Thanks for all the great ideas!

  27. Jeanette
    January 31, 2013 | 7:36 pm

    I agree, you have great ideas. My niece wants a Brave party too and all I’ve found so far are the typical princess favors. I especially like the bags with the bear cookies. Can you let me know how you did the labels for those and the water bottles? and the small chocolates?

    Thanks!

  28. Nora
    February 7, 2013 | 3:28 pm

    I love your ideas! They are great and your daughters party looked amazing. I wish my daughters birthday was in the summer. πŸ™
    Do you share your labels? How do you find printable versions ?

    Nora

  29. Pratima
    February 11, 2013 | 10:44 am

    This is awesome. I was looking for some ideas and come across your link. Fabulous!!! my daughter is turning 9 and want Brave theme party. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much for sharing your party ideas.

  30. April Doherty
    February 23, 2013 | 9:54 am

    I absolutely LOVE everything you did! You are very creative, I especially love the goodie bags w/ the clan crest & the little chocolate teddy grahams was so cute. And the cake I would have to say is my favorite, great job! The attention to detail is phenomenal. My daughter will be turning 1 next month and this is her favorite movie. I want to thank you for giving me some ideas, I want to throw a little Brave birthday party for her ^_^

  31. Christina S.
    February 27, 2013 | 6:21 pm

    I love these Brave designs. My daughter would like a Brave theme for her 5th birthday party. I wish I were as creative as you!

  32. Liesha Geddes
    March 6, 2013 | 3:38 pm

    We are doing a brave theme for our young women’s camp this year. I would love it if you could share e candy bar printable. Thanks!

  33. Lori
    March 11, 2013 | 10:03 am

    Hi,

    I came across Skip to My Lou’s bow and arrow set first, but glad I found yours because I like the eraser tips better than the foam tips. I can’t, however, fit the erasers onto the 3/8″ dowel rods. I’ve pushed and pulled and squeezed….no luck. Any tips? Thought about purchasing the next size smaller (dowel rods), but concerned that the erasers will then be too big.

    Thanks!

    Lori

  34. C&MB
    March 11, 2013 | 10:54 am

    Maybe the erasers are a bit on the smaller size? i used e-6000 on the tip of the dowel and then put the eraser on it to help hold it. It was a snug fit but it didnt pop off or too large. Sorry its not fitting for you πŸ™

  35. Emily Stosich
    March 22, 2013 | 4:10 am

    Hi I am having my daughters Brave party this weekend and I love all of your ideas. I am using the cotton candy wisps. I am not creative and don’t know how to make those tags. Could I buy the printable image from you? Or do you know where I could find one?
    Thanks!!!

  36. Ladena
    March 26, 2013 | 11:44 am

    Looks like an awesome party! Where did you find your Dun Broach Clan symbols? I can’t find clip art for these anywhere.

  37. C&MB
    March 26, 2013 | 2:09 pm

    I googled dunbroach clan and then traced that logo in silhouette program to cut out πŸ™‚

  38. Christy
    April 2, 2013 | 8:07 pm

    My soon to be five year old first requested a Rapunzel party. Pinterest is crawling with ideas for Rapunzel. But, to my dismay, she now has her heart set on a Brave party. Your collection of ideas is by far the best I’ve seen! You planned an awesome party! Thanks for sharing. πŸ™‚

  39. Eden
    April 5, 2013 | 10:44 am

    Hi! Where did you get your gum balls and gum ball containers?

  40. C&MB
    April 5, 2013 | 2:09 pm

    Gumballs came from sams club in a very large container of colors and the pipettes I got online here – http://www.sks-bottle.com/340c/fin712.html the round ones πŸ™‚

  41. Crystal
    April 17, 2013 | 3:09 am

    Can I buy the printables from you?

  42. […] in the hole game- was a game my husband made for my daughters Brave party. I removed the title and replaced it in vinyl with the snake title. I love how versatile this game […]

  43. laura
    April 27, 2013 | 1:08 pm

    How do I put the words on that pic of her and the wisps?

  44. Christina
    April 27, 2013 | 7:39 pm

    This is the far THE BEST Brave party. I love it. Can I purchase the printable also? My 4 year old birthday is coming fast and I really LOVE your designs.

  45. Dana
    May 17, 2013 | 8:33 pm

    You are so creative! I love the idea!

  46. Holly
    May 31, 2013 | 8:58 am

    I would like to purchase the printables. Please email me the details. Thank you!!

  47. rebecca at thisfineday
    June 21, 2013 | 12:19 am

    Love this idea!!! My girls are so into Merida. I especially love the bow and arrow- I sooo need to make some. Thank you for the post!

  48. Miranda Lynn
    June 23, 2013 | 2:44 pm

    My soon to be six year old has been talking about having a brave birthday party since November (her birthday is in August!). While I had a few ideas – like a wisp trail leading to a cauldron, your post has pulled the rest of it together for me. Thank you for sharing the details of your fabulous party. Please message me with details on how to obtain your printable files. Thanks!

  49. Fanua Matagi
    June 24, 2013 | 7:24 pm

    Thank you for your comments on how you modified Skip to My Lou’s bow & arrow project. We followed the directions with your modifications and they were perfect! I guess the only modification we made then were making the strings longer. Made it less sore for the little ones when the string accidentally hit their thumbs or hands. We cut them about 41 inches long then knotted it about 38/39 inches. It was tight enough to still work.
    Thanks!

  50. Jess
    June 28, 2013 | 4:48 pm

    I would also like details on how to obtain your printable files. I would be happy to pay for your time that you spent making these wonderful printables!!!

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