Harry Potter Birthday Party – Decorations

Platform 9 3/4 and Hogwarts Express:  I had suitcases and trunks along with Hedwig (and cage), Scabbers, and Crookshanks at the front door.  I also had a chalkboard with the message “Wizards Welcome – Muggles Tolerated”.  Using a spring load rod and ring clips I hung backdrop with a brick design and the slit already cut – the for the kids to walk through.  I made a Hogwarts Express sign with cardboard and paint.  Once ‘aboard’, the kids changed into robes and selected a wand.  I used graduation gowns and ironed on Gryffindor badges to make the robes and I used hot glue and paint on large chopsticks to make the wands. (include picture of sign, wands, robes)

Defense Against the Dark Art class:  Brick patterned plastic sheeting that looked like castle stones to cover up the junk on my bookshelves.  I set up Wizard’s Chess, keys with wings, greenery to represent Devil’s Snare, and a plush Fluffy – the three headed dog on this table.  This is where the kids decorated  their treat boxes, so I also set out glue, Harry Potter stickers, washi tape, luggage tags with their names, and brass fasteners. 

Potions:  Outside, I set up three folding tables.  A head table for me and all the extra supplies.  I had a cauldron, glass bottles with cork stoppers that were filled with colored water, and lots of vinegar, baking soda.  I had brooms leaning up against a potions sign (add photo).  The tables were set with gold paper trays holding all of the ingredients they would need.  (Coke, mentos, Root beer, glow in the dark powder, Elmers glue, paper cups, glass jelly jars, tongue depressors, etc.)

Great Hall:  I set up the dining room table with a tablecloth, cloth napkins, gold chargers, candelabra, stemmed (plastic) cups.  Nearly Headless Nick was looking on.  (a cardboard knight cutout taped to the door) 

Bathroom:  There’s a TROLL in the dungeon sign, with a picture of the troll – hung on the bathroom door.