Dragon Training 2015

Each year during the summer my sister and her kids come to visit. In 2011 for Indy's birthday we did a National Treasure party with an elaborate treasure hunt. Everyone had a great time and of course I loved all the crazy detail that went into pulling off such an event. A few years went by and the kids started asking for another treasure hunt. I chose the wonderful world of Harry Potter. Each child was sorted, selected a wand and then followed clues that led them through classes such as Herbology, Rhunes, Care of Magical Creatures. (I am planning on getting the pictures soon for this and posting in more detail)

This past summer we embraced the How to Train Your Dragon craze. All the kids became vikings with the gear, a new viking name, and a dragon. After all this fun they had to complete all the training activities.

Everyone decoded their name using the stones above and then they received an engraved tag with the viking name on one side and the English translation on the back. We had all sorts of names: Echo, Snort, Slurp, Hum, Click, Smooch, Whistle, and Gurgle to name a few.

After getting their viking name they chose their dragon.
In the sandbox we created a nesting ground with dragon eggs.

We tossed sheep to show our viking strength.

We faced our fears by eating Dragon Toenails (bugles dipped in chocolate), Dragon Dung (no bake cookies) and Dragon Spit Fish (gummy fish in slimy jello). I was so proud of the kids for trying all the "gross" foods.

Each kid had a helmet, a shield, a dragon, and a viking name tag. Each time they completed a training/activity they would get a gem to add to their shield.

The kids had to save a nest of eggs that needed to be moved to the hatching ground. Using spoons they carefully transported the eggs to safety. Their were a few other activities such as target practice, a team building game and an art activity.

We ended all the fun with a mock battle using Genuine Imitation Dragon Flame (silly string).
I think the whole event was a success and now I just have to figure out what craziness
I will be creating next summer.