Flashback 1960's ... with a group party kit, wigs and glasses, Smiley Face Paper Goods. Felt Hippie Hats! Glow Necklaces, Tie-dye Bandanas, VW Beetles! This theme is good for kids & adults! Get them dancing with Hippie Music! Every age group loves 1960s Retro Theme parties! Be sure to let your guests know to wear their best Retro 1960s outfits and make a game of it by awarding prizes.

1970s Disco Party:

Go back to Disco with a 1970s Disco party. Tie-dye paper goods, psychedelic fedora hats, disco ball earrings! And 1970's Disco party favors! How about a Disco Starter Kit! Disco Music will set the mood! Be sure to let you guests know via the invitations to wear their favorite Retro 1970s Disco outfits to your Disco bash!

Decorate the party room with bean bag chairs, lava lamps and a dance floor. Put together a dance mix CD.

Popular drinks and foods of the Disco era:

Harvey Wallbangers, Chablis, tequila sunrise and the pina coladas. Snapple began in the 1970s.

Granola became very popular in the 1970s. So did Orville Redenbacher popcorn, Bugles, Chips and Dip, Chocolate Fondue and Hamburger Helper. Hot dogs and hamburgers are a hit at any party.

1960s, 1970s Retro and Disco Party Games, Ideas & Activities

PIN THE SMILE ON THE SMILEY FACE – Using a large yellow face (buy one or create it yourself with construction paper) and smiles cut out of black construction paper. Blindfold each participate as his/her turn arrives, spin, point in the right direction, and watch your smiley get really happy! (All ages)

DO THE HUSTLE – Divide the guests into two equal teams. Use masking tape to mark off two starting lines, and secure two inflatable smileys in place about 10-15 yards away. Line teams up with a disco wardrobe at the starting line. At the signal to begin, the first player on each team quickly dresses up, runs the course, and then returns the wardrobe to the next player. First team to complete the course wins. An Afro wig, love beads, fringe vest, and hippie glasses would be good for the costumes. (Ages 4-11)

MAKE LOVE, NOT WAR GAME – Give each player a bag or goodie box with 10 pieces of candy in it. Have bags labeled with players' names, so they don't get mixed up. Let players know at the start of the game exactly when the game will be ending—this game can be played throughout an entire party if you so choose. Object of the game is to catch fellow players saying one of the following words or phrases:
DISCO, FUNKY, GROOVY, SMILEY FACE, PEACE, YEAH BABY
To help players, post words prominently on a board where they can be seen often. If someone is caught saying one of the words on the list, that person has to give up a piece of candy from their stash. The player with the biggest haul of goodies at the end of the game is the winner! (Ages 7 – Adult)

TIE-DYE – Purchase plain white cotton boys or men's t-shirts from a discount store- most come in three packs, and cost less than $2.00/shirt. During a teenagers party, you could tie-dye the shirts in brilliant colors. In addition to the dye, you'll need to have plenty of rubber bands, rubber gloves, and extra adult helpers on hand. Do this activity toward the beginning of the party, so the shirts can be hung up to dry. If the weather permits, hang a clothesline outside. If not, hang a clothesline in the basement, kitchen or laundry room. As each shirt is completed, hang it to dry on the line. When all are completed take a group photo with the masterpieces hanging behind you. For a little variety, try using white boxer shorts or tank tops, as both are very popular right now, and can be purchased inexpensively in the men's underwear section. (Ages 7-adult)

DAISY CHAINS – Young girls will love to create "wreathes" for their hair using fresh daisies. (Girls age 5-12)

DANCE 'TILL YOU DROP – If you weren't around to do the Hustle, the Bump and the Bus Stop the first time around, find a friend or neighbor who was and recruit him or her. Teach these popular and simple steps to your party guests and enjoy the fun! (All ages)

Retro 1960s/Disco 1970s CHARADES - Using Retro and Disco era themes, play Charades using Movies, music, People, Fads and Foods of the 1960s or 1970s.

More great 1960s Retro and 1970s Disco party games and ideas- click here!

PINATA FUN – The smiley piñata can do double duty... he'll hang as a decoration until you are ready to use him. A universal favorite for everyone's 1960s Retro or 1970s disco theme party ! (Ages 3 and up)

NAME THAT TUNE – This one is for the grown-ups only. You'll need a CD player and some compact discs with a compilation of hits from the 60's and 70's. Play the first few bars, and see which guest can name that tune the fastest. Keep track of points and award the winner with some music from the past. If your group is large, play a variation on this game. Using AM Top 40 hits from the 1960's and 1970's, list song titles on one side of a page, and Artists on the other side, & make enough copies for all guests. Challenge guests to match as many as possible. To get you started, here are a few:
Hooked on a Feeling ... Blue Swede
The Night Chicago Died – Paper Lace
Hitchin' a Ride ...Vanity Fare
Beach Baby – First Class
Sky High – Jigsaw
Seasons in the Sun ... Terry Jacks
Billy, Don't Be a Hero – Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
Chevy Van – Sammy Johns
Dancing in the Moonlight ... King Harvest
Rock Me Gently – Andy Kim
Afternoon Delight ... Starland Vocal Band
One Tin Soldier, The Legend of Billy Jack – Coven
Shannon – Henry Gross
Dream Weaver ... Gary Wright
Puppy Love – Donny Osmond
One Bad Apple ... Jackson Five
My Baby Loves Lovin' – White Plains
If ... Bread
Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
Fill a page, and let the contest last throughout the party! For the winner…a greatest hits CD!

1960s Retro or 1970s Disco Trivia! Create a Trivia game using facts from the 1960s/1970s. Top Movies, Music, Actors and Actresses, News Headlines of those decades.

1960s Retro and 1970s Disco Party Food Ideas

This is a tough one, and we would welcome any input you have on some foods that stand out as memorable or worth recreating from the 60's and 70's. We recall that the fast food industry was just in its infant stage. McDonald's™ was a "new" craze, and Burger King was just getting started too. Families just didn't frequent restaurants and fast food joints as often as they do today. When we think of a typical 1960's or 1970's meal, one word comes to mind. STARCH! A true meat and potatoes period in time, with Holidays being the time to roll out the special Jell-O™ mold. It was inevitably green, and filled with things your mother otherwise never served.

Fondues were very popular in the 1970s - cheese fondues for appetizers, Mexican chicken fondue for main course and chocolate fondue for dessert. 1960s parties favored theme buffets and barbecue. International themes were also very popular. The foods served were generally "Americanized" versions (Lasagne with American cheese; Chinese ribs with ketchup). The 1970s saw appetizers such as guacamole, meatball dip, mini kabobs, pineapple cheese balls and drinks such as peach daiquiris & pineapple fizz.

Serve pizza, loaded hoagie sandwiches, a Mexican taco bar, heavy appetizers…your options are unlimited. Feel free to showcase your own personal preferences, talents, style. The only thing that wouldn't be appropriate for a retro theme would be a formal meal. No good china allowed here!

If the party is for a child & you are serving dinner, let the birthday boy or girl choose his/her favorites. Unless you are having a sleepover party, avoid scheduling a party around meal times. Snacks, birthday cake and ice cream along with beverages is plenty.

Find 1960s Retro & 1970s Disco Party Recipes - Click Here!

Flower Power Cake

1960s, 1970s, retro, disco, flower power, groovy, supplies

Smiley Face Cake
1960s, 1970s, retro, disco, flower power, groovy, supplies

Using the above 1960s Retro and 1970s Disco Themed Ideas should help you plan a perfect event... but if you need any more ideas, contact us today! Retro themes and Disco themes get hotter every year and every age group enjoys hosting one of these themed events!

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