Since this July saw the 150th birthday of Confederation in Canada, a Canadian History themed party might be appropriate.
COSTUMES
Pretty much anything associated with Canada & its past – including kids coming as Canada Geese, loons, moose & beavers!
For some ideas, visit:
http://www.sweet-juniper.com/2012/10/now-voyageur-halloween-2012-part-1.html
http://golddetecting.4umer.net/t7426-prospecting-attire-what-a-prospector-wears
https://www.halloweencostumes.com/child-canadian-mountie-costume.html
http://www.karnival-house.co.uk/suffragette-fancy-dress-costume-for-girls-p-12086.html
http://maplelea.com/anne-of-green-gables-outfit
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/501916308/dresspapoose-set-native-american?ref=related-1
DECORATIONS & OTHER PARTY ITEMS
If your local shops don’t carry anything that fits this theme, try:
http://www.partycity.ca/product/waving+canadian+flag+party+supplies.do
FOOD
As always, be mindful of guests’ allergies & religious observances.
Apple Juice
Milk
Bannock: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/bannock-recipe-how-to-make-a-northern-staple-1.3112436
Beef Or Salmon Jerky
Hamburgers
Poutine: https://www.seasonsandsuppers.ca/authentic-canadian-poutine-recipe/
Kraft Dinner (Yes, it’s Canadian)
Pea Soup (Be warned, some kids won’t like it.)
Corn On The Cob
Blueberries (I know other places have blueberries, too, but Canada has more.)
Beaver Cupcakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTI8EaUhdOE
Beaver Tails: http://www.dinnerwithjulie.com/2016/06/29/homemade-beaver-tails/
Butter Tarts
Nanaimo Bars: http://www.kraftcanada.com/recipes/nanaimo-bars-89644 (If nut allergies are a concern, the walnuts can be left out without compromising the recipe in any way.)
Maple-Leaf Shaped Cookies or Store-Bought Maple Creams
Maple Fudge
Pancakes (with maple syrup, of course)
Cake Ideas:
http://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/coolest-beaver-birthday-cake/
http://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/cake-decorating-instructions/
http://dwaynerjames.deviantart.com/art/Voyageur-Canoe-Cake-188713152
http://littlemisskate.ca/recipe/kit-kat-canada-day-cake-recipe/
CRAFTS
Basket Weaving
Bead Projects
Sugar Cube Igloos: https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/canada-day-igloo-craft
Dreamcatchers: Younger Kids : http://www.tinyfry.com/make-dream-catcher-kids/
Older Kids: http://www.easy-crafts-for-kids.com/native-american-crafts-for-kids.html
Log Cabins: Have kids make log cabins out of craft sticks or dowels.
Railway Mural: Tape long, long, piece of paper onto wall. Have some children crayon in scenes of lakes, plains, & mountains while others make railway ‘tracks’ out of construction paper to paste onto mural once completed.
Other Possibilities:
http://www.dltk-kids.com/canada/mtotem.html
https://snapguide.com/guides/make-a-mini-snowshoe-craft/
http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mplatebeaver.htm
http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mbeaver.html
http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mscissorskills-loon.htm
GAMES & ACTIVITIES
Basketball: Though Canada wasn’t where basketball was first played, it was invented by a Canadian. (So was Superman – so kids can come dressed as him, too.)
Lacrosse
Street Hockey / Ringette
Canoe Race: Fill a large tub with water. Give each child a plastic canoe & a straw. See who can propel his/her canoe to the other end of the tub first.
Obstacle Course (Outdoor Activity): Have kids navigate around rocks, shrubs, and logs while portaging ‘canoes’ (large, long boxes that two or three kids can fit under).
Shoot The Rapids (Summertime Outdoor Activity): Set up a Slip ’N Slide ® so kids can pretend to be shooting the rapids.
Snowshoe Race (Outdoor Activity): Rent or borrow enough kid-sized snowshoes for kids to race each other across the yard. (Barring that, tie tennis rackets to their feet.)
Trading Post: Set up a trading post, complete with blankets, pots & pans, ‘sacks’ of flour or meal, tinned goods, toy rifles, bolts of material, to be purchased with plastic animals representative of Canada or strips of fake fur that you’ve hidden around the house or yard. (Emphasis the fake bit, to encourage the idea that that was then, this is now, and now we are trying to get away from that trapping-animals-for-their-fur thing.)
Can-Can Dance: Have kids do the Can-Can, like the Klondike dance hall girls.
Pan For Gold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shkKInSsiiU
Maple Syrup Taffy Making (in lieu of snow, you can use shaved ice): http://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/blog/how-to-make-maple-taffy-on-snow/
Haystack Jump (Outdoor Activity): If you have a big yard, and can get hold of a load of hay, kids love jumping into piles of it.
Singsong: A song session with traditional Canadian folk and pop songs kids such as, for younger kids: ‘I’se The B’y’, ‘Donkey Riding’, ‘Frere Jacques’ (technically originated in France, but France was one of the founding countries so…), ‘The Log Driver’s Waltz’, ‘The Blackfly Song’, ‘The Hockey Song’, and ‘This Land Is Your Land’ (Canadian version). For older ones: ‘Ô Canada! Mon Pays! Mes Amours!’ ‘Northwest Passage’ (traditionally sung A Capella), ‘Farewell To Nova Scotia’ ‘Both Sides Now’, ‘Snowbird’, ‘I Believe In The Power’, and the like.
Time Travelling With Kids 