Fact Number 543 about me: I love Harry Potter.  I know, me and everyone else, right?  Well if you have a little one (or a not-so-little one) who also loves Harry Potter, I’m here today to pass along some GREAT party ideas!  I found these over at one of my favorite blogs, Hostess with the Mostess.  Be sure to check out the  HWTM site for even more Harry Potter birthday ideas!

I LOVE these Hogwarts invitations, and they’re so easy to make! These are simply invitations printed out on parchment paper and sealed with a wax seal (available at your local craft store).

This next idea is so creative. Darn that Hostess with the Mostess! She suggests dropping a few drops of food coloring in plastic cups and letting it dry.  Cover the drops with ice, and then when it’s time to serve, pour in a clear drink.  As it moistens the dry food coloring, the drinks will *magically* change color!

And I love these simple, but cute little favors!

Of course, you could make your Harry Potter as simple or complex as you like. Here are a few more ideas I thought of:

Simple: Have kids ride around on broomsticks. Complex: Stage an all-out Quidditch match. Rules for Muggles are here.

Simple: Pass out plastic Harry Potter-esque glasses as a party favor. Complex: Pass out Hogwarts House scarves as a party favor.

Simple: Give each kid a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. Complex: Set up a whole candy bar with “magical” candy dessert table.  You can find a lot of the candy here, but you can make your own as well!

Simple: Give the kiddos a Harry Potter trivia quiz. Complex: Set up a “Goblet of Fire” scavenger hunt complete with knowledge and physical challenges.

Simple: Have the kids dress as their favorite Harry Potter characters. Complex: Hire the cast of the Harry Potter movies to make an appearence at your party…okay this is getting a bit out of hand, I better be off to bed! Night!