Labor Day Party Ideas That Won't Break Your Back

Paint Savvy

Labor Day Party Ideas That Won't Break Your Back: Backyard Parade and Shish-Kebabs

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Like the idea of a Labor Day Party without the labor?  A backyard parade and Shish-Kebabs keeps it simple (no indoor cleanup required!).  Better yet, with this party plan all you provide is the raw materials and the partiers do the work.                                        

Part 1: Float Festival for the Kids                                                                     

A week before party-time, send out evites to the kids letting them know about the parade; this gives them time to dream up their float ideas and prepare accordingly.  In the evite, include suggestions for floats and float materials, such as:

Float Materials:
* wagons
* skateboards
* wheelbarrels
* bicycles
* hula hoops

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Float Ideas:
* marching band
* dancers..create a dance that is inspired by the work your parents do
* pet floats...be a veterinarian or pet groomer
* dress up as what you want to be when you grow up and dedicate your float to it

Encourage the kids to incorporate the theme of work into their float.  Let the kids know that all they need to do is bring the float materials, and you will have float decorating supplies available the day of the party.

For the day of the party: be sure to have gathered as many float making materials as possible, as well as the following materials for float decorating:

* red, white and blue streamers
* red, white and blue balloons
* string, tape and glue
* poster board and construction paper
* markers and tempura paint
* face paint
* noise makers

Set up several float making stations with the above materials.

Part 2: DIY Kebabs                                                                                                    

A week before the party:  Send evites to the adults.  Let them know you will provide Shish-Kebabs, hamburgers/hotdogs and drinks, and ask them to bring a side dish, salad or dessert.

Kebabs are an easy way for everyone to custom make their own creations.  All you need to get is the skewers and a variety of fresh ingredients (most of which can be found pre-washed and cut) such as:

* grape tomatoes                                                               
* pineapple
* bell peppers
* onions                                   
* mushrooms
* tofu
* zucchini
* garlic

Basic Balsamic Baste:
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
2 TBS balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper

Throw the 3 ingredients above into a blender for a quick and easy baste that everyone can put on after they have assembled their skewers.

If using wood skewers, soak them in water for an hour before use to minimize charring.

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                                                       photo © Janeseptember | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos