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Kentucky Derby Playdate

We might not be able to sneak away to the infield at Churchill Downs to watch the horses run, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun while watching the most exciting 2 minutes in sports.. The Kentucky Derby!

Here are a few ideas on throwing a party and getting the kids involved in the fun!

You can’t even say Kentucky Derby without thinking of 2 things: Hats and Mint Juleps. While we can’t offer up real mint juleps to the kiddos (obviously,) we do have a yummy little “mocktail” that even you will want to sip on..

Kentucky Derby Mint Squeeze:

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 2 cups crushed ice
  • 1/2 cup prepared lemonade
  • Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
Directions:
  1. In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar and 1 tablespoon of chopped mint. Stir and bring to a boil. Cook until sugar has dissolved, then remove from heat and set aside to cool. After about an hour, strain out mint leaves.
  2. Fill 2 cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice. Pour 1/2 of the lemonade into each glass and top with a splash of the sugar syrup. Garnish each with a mint sprig and a straw. Serve on a silver platter.

Hats! What an easy activity to keep the kiddos busy. Hit up the dollar store for some blank hats – they are shaped kind of like cowboy hats, but once they are embellished no one will be the wiser.

Set out some craft glue and any type of embellishment you can think of: Buttons, Ribbon, Sequins, Feathers, Fake Flowers, the crazier the better! Let the kids go to town decorating their own Derby Hat – Maybe even award a prize for the best one.

Another item you can find sometimes at the dollar store is a Stick Pony – Pick up a few or encourage guests to bring one from home and host a Stick Pony Race! The winner will receive a “Blanket of Roses” Made from Red felt and Tissue. Super Easy.

 

If you want to incorporate some math skills, set up a little window and have children guess or choose which horse they think will Win, Place or Show. Use fake money and make up some tickets from colored construction paper that match the silks of the racers.

 

Do you have any Derby Traditions you do that incorporate the tiny humans? Share with the class, we would love to know!

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