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    Home » Parties

    How to Host a Kid-Friendly Derby Party

    Updated: May 3, 2022 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 5 Comments

    When we host Derby parties in our home we love to invite everyone in the family! If you’d like to host a kid-friendly Derby party, I’m sharing all of my best Derby Party ideas with you today! Living in Louisville, Kentucky one thing is for sure, you celebrate the Kentucky Derby every year like it’s a national holiday 🙂

    crowd at churchill downs

    Even though I didn’t grow up here, I feel like I’ve embraced Kentucky as my home and find myself every year looking forward to the Derby and all of the great festivities leading up to it.  It’s the most wonderful time of the year… at least here in Louisville.

    Table of Contents
    • Family Friendly Derby Party Ideas
    • Derby Part Food
    • Derby Party Games
    • Decorating Ideas
    • Party Ideas

    Each year we celebrate, sometimes we have people over, sometimes we go places.  Last year  I found out that 2 of our dear friends who moved away would be in Louisville on Derby Day, and I knew it meant we were having a Derby Party.

    Family Friendly Derby Party Ideas

    Our Derby parties are pretty informal.  Usually just good food and good friends and lots of time to chat and let the children run around wild.  Sometimes I imagine my house smiling when it is full of friends.. (even though I know homes can’t smile). Luckily a friend of mine was taking photos last year (as I always forget when people are over), and I “borrowed” them from her blog 🙂

    image collage, food, and girl outside

    Here are a few photos from our Derby Party- like I said, super informal, along with some Kentucky Derby ideas I’ve shared before on this blog.

    lucky tshirt

    (Sparkly Lucky T-Shirt Tutorial)

    Derby Part Food

    • For a knock off recipe for the Derby pie check out Traci’s Blog
    • Since we’re all teetotalers – no bourbon in our mint juleps, here’s our “kid-friendly” julep recipe.
    • Hot Brown bites made with this recipe, but with plain toast
    • Derby Pie-inspired cupcakes! You can thank my 16 yr old daughter for this delicious idea!
    cupcakes on plate

    Derby Party Games

    paper on table cloth and kid holding paper and a bag

    To make it fair (especially when dealing with lots of little kids), draw names for horses. Then pass out prize bags to the victors! Put each horse’s name running in the race in a bowl and have each party attendee pick the name out of the bowl.

    3 gift bags on table with flowers

    Have 3 prizes ready, one for Win, Place & Show.

    Decorating Ideas

    image collage of derby decorations

    Wreath purchased at:  Dees

    image collage of derby decorations

    The horse was made by:  Yard Birds, a local company

    If you decorate a bit for the Derby in the mood, you could make some placemats or a table topper!

    Free pattern for a Derby Jockey Silks Table Topper - cute idea for a Kentucky Derby sewing, craft or decorating project!

    Derby Placemats

    GO Baby GO banner

    Last but NOT least, it’s not Derby without a fabulous hat!! I got a new one this year, and let me just say- you’ll see me coming!

    Learn how to make kids’ Derby hats with our free tutorial

    kentuckyderbycenterpiece

    Win Place Show DIY Kentucky Derby Centerpieces– link to a full tutorial!

    Party Ideas

    Kentucky Derby Party Ideas and printables on polkadotchair.com

    Derby Party Ideas with Free Printables Including FREE PRINTABLES of the Derby Sign, Derby Banner, and the Win Place Show Ribbons!!

    Kentucky Derby Party Ideas and FREE Printable Derby Party Items & Games

    Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby Party: Includes links to Derby Trivia Sheets & MORE!

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    DIY Kentucky Derby Wreath – tutorial

    DIY Gold Foil Artwork Tutorial (and free printable) on polkadotchair.com

    My Old Kentucky Home DIY Foil Artwork Tutorial 

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. kelly says

      May 01, 2012 at 3:26 pm

      those mini hot browns are calling my name…

      my BIL and SIL always have my niece’s birthday party on derby day- so we’re always in louisville on derby day, but never for derby. grr!

      Reply
    2. sandra says

      May 01, 2012 at 6:56 pm

      Can I come to your Party it looks like so much fun? We were in Louisville a few years ago for a couple of days and really loved it there but we couldn’t stay for derby. Have fun I will watch it on TV.

      Reply
    3. SewinglyShanna says

      May 09, 2012 at 1:45 pm

      I live in Bardstown so not far from the festivities. I love Louisville during Derby.

      Love the cupcake ideas.

      Reply

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