This year, a slew of animated movies will hit theaters, including Kung Fu Panda 3, Finding Dory, and Moana, offering lots of inspiration for family-friendly events and parties. From colorful decor and fun games to playful catering, here's a look at some ideas from past events that celebrate the kid within.
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Produce with googly eyes playfully represented the fruit-and-veggie characters in the Farm Heroes Saga.
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for King
For the Despicable Me 2 premiere in June 2013 at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles, the arrivals area featured a yellow carpet that was inspired by the color of the film's famous characters, the Minions.
Photo: Brandon Clark/ABImages
Guests also noshed on cupcakes decorated with the Minions' colorful faces.
Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages
In April 2014 at the #BeAFarmHero Urban Farming pop-up in New York, which promoted the launch of the Farm Heroes Saga video game, D.I.Y. terrariums contained mini versions of the game's characters.
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for King
Catering at the video game event included vegetable-heavy bites from Ilili such as bright-orange carrot mousse.
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for King
A trio of iLuminate dancers in L.E.D. suits performed at Alienware's laptop launch during the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June 2013 in downtown Los Angeles.
Photo: Tiffany Rose Photography
The red carpet area for Walt Disney Animation Studios' premiere of Big Hero 6, which was held at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in November 2014, featured a structure that resembled a mini Golden Gate bridge with Japanese torii gates. It was inspired by the movie's fictional city of San Fransokyo.
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
In August 2013, Target sponsored a prescreening party for Disney’s Planes, setting up a family-friendly experience on Hollywood Boulevard that featured stilt-walking jugglers dressed as air traffic controllers.
Photo: John Sciulli/Getty Images for Target
Visitors could also enjoy flight simulators, games, activities, crafts, snacks, and more in the Target Landing Zone space.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Target
When the Julius Jr. toy line launched in June 2014, an afternoon party in Los Angeles was filled with customized activities including photo ops with cartoon-inspired props, a D.I.Y. craft area, a cupcake-decorating station, a kids’ DJ, and a play area.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Saban Brands
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort celebrates the characters of classic Disney and Disney-Pixar films such as Finding Nemo, Cars, Lion King, and Little Mermaid. The resort includes 1,120 family suites and 864 standard rooms. It also has the largest swimming pool at Walt Disney World.
Photo: Matt Stroshane/Disney
The premiere for Disney-Pixar’s movie Inside Out, which was held at the El Capitan Theatre in June 2015, included fun, interactive games that tested fans' emotions. Namevents created the station.
Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
The Inside Out premiere featured cupcake displays inspired by the films five "emotional" characters—Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness.
Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
At the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay's “Big Night” event at the House of Blues in Boston in February 2014, highboys with chalkboard surfaces and baskets of colored chalk let guests doodle.
Photo: David Fox
Bold yellow spandex and custom logo slipcovers covered the V.I.P. tables at Fox’s 27th season premiere of The Simpsons in September 2015, which was held at the Krustyland area of Universal Studios in Los Angeles.
Photo: Dan Scott
Homer's favorite Duff beer was among the drinks offered at The Simpsons party.
Photo: Dan Scott
Instead of traditional floral centerpieces, designer Bill Fulghum decked tables with giant spools of cotton candy at the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario's annual fund-raising gala in April 2015 at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex.
Photo: Photagonist.ca
At the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario fund-raiser, guests dined on circus-theme desserts with dumbbells made from chocolate-covered marshmallow and monkey-shaped cookies.
Photo: Photagonist.ca
At the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario gala in April 2013, giant colorful pinwheels hung above diagonally arranged lounge furniture in shades of pink, yellow, and purple.
Photo: Caitlin Wickham/Photagonist.ca
