Karate Kid Bash

Earlier this week, Victoria Beckham was on "The View" discussing possible birthday party ideas for her son. She mentioned a martial arts theme and that got my gears working! This would be an awesome theme for kids enrolled in martial arts classes or celebrating the various degrees of belts.

Create an Asian inspired tablescape with a red tablecover. Buy black plates, cups, and cutlery for contrast. Check out this beautiful cake (pictured above) by Paula Surrette. You can find Asian-inspired tea votive holders just about anywhere.


Decorate your home or party room with streamers and balloons in black, white, and red. I came across this cool "black belt bash-in-a-box" kit at Shindigz (pictured left). You can find an assortment of paper lanterns from Party City and Oriental Trading Company.

For entertainment, ask a martial arts or self defense instructor to do a short demonstration or teach a short class to young guests. Kids can practice their round house kicks on this inflatable kick post (pictured below) from Birthday in a Box. Once the children wear down from roughhousing, pop in a one of the following movies:

Kung Fu Panda (one of my favorite Disney movies as of recent, "Ka-Doosh!")

Karate Kid (BTW, I'm excited for the remake featuring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan!)
Karate Kid II (girls can kick butt too!) 
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the one from the 90s, not the latest ones)
Mortal Kombat (PG13)
Street Fighter (PG13)
Dragonball Evolution
Romeo Must Die (I love Aaliyah, but this movie is rated R though)

Of course you can rent Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan classics like Enter the Dragon or Rumble in the Bronx, but those movies might be a bit mature as well.

Buy small chinese takeout boxes for giftbags, fill them with ninja figurines, stickers, and fortune cookies.  Below I have included some suggestions:

Clockwise: Fortune Cookies (Oriental Trading Company), Karate Party Blower (Birthday in a Box), Karate Stickers (Birthday in a Box)