Wendy Legendre asked:

Pirate themes have always been a fun choice for parties, but even more so now with the popularity of the blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. Johnny Depp has certainly given new life to the fantasy of playing a pirate, adding fun and comedy to the already exciting seafaring adventures. So, why not plan an adventure of your own this year and host a swashbuckling fun pirate party.

Make a list of friends and acquaintances you would like to invite to your pirate party and assign each one of them their own pirate name. Use online pirate lingo translators to create fun names like Butterfingers Alena and Ian Deadbones.

Include pirate wording on your invitations and print them on aged paper. If it’s a costume party, be sure to include that information also.

Ahoy thar Mateys!

Ye`re invited t’a pirate party

(date, time and location)

Take Note Ye Scalliwags…

Dress like a buccaneer if ye dare.

We have PRIZES fer best pirate costume.

Roll up the printed invitations and tie them with some burlap twine. Put each invitation in a bottle and attach a pirate label with the pirate name of the invited guest, along with an aka mention of their real name. (Mini champagne bottles work well for this.) Pour some sand or salt in the bottles along with a few small seashells and the invitation. Hand deliver the invitations to friends or use plastic bottles instead so that you can address and mail them.

If you have the creativity and means, decorate a room with old chests, barrels and tables made from weathered wood. Borrow or buy uniquely shaped bottles from second hand shops and flea markets. Clean them thoroughly and fill them with party beverages like cola and gingerale. Label them with fun pirate stickers, like “Non-Groggy Pirate’s Rum”. Mix up a disgusting variety of liquids like vinegar, cherry juice and hot sauce and label the bottle, “Drink if You Dare.”

Pirate-themed games and activities will make your party complete.

. Set up tables for playing cards and “Liar’s Dice”.

. Throw in a “Pirates of the Caribbean” trivia competition and then watch one of the movies.

. Have guests try and decipher the meanings of various pirate words.

. Send your guests on a pirate scavenger hunt that leads to a treasure chest of delicious treats.

. Instead of bobbing for apples, try searching for a candy eyeball in a gooey mess of jello and pasta.

. Challenge your guests to a sword fight dual on a low balance beam (use safety precautions).

. Hand out pirate coins to use for various challenges and bets throughout the night and give a prize to the person with the most coins at the end of the party.

When it’s time to send your guests home, a great favor to give is a game of “Liar’s Dice”. Print and roll up the instructions and place them in an opaque cup (They have great antique looking one’s at the dollar store). Include 5 dice, some chocolate coins, candy eyeballs, and whatever treats or trinkets you wish to include. Wrap the cups with clear cellophane, tie with burlap twine and finally, attach a pirate sticker or thank you tag.

So, what ye be waitin’ fer? Start plannin’ yer swashbucklin’ fun pirate party.

David Mann asked:

Although the origin of the pirate flag is unknown, it is generally thought that it was invented to strike fear in the hearts and minds of their enemies. The pirate flag, or “Jolly Roger” as it often called, was likely intended to scare their potential victims into a speedy surrender.

The origins of the name “Jolly Roger” are difficult to establish. It is likely derived from the fact that devil was often referred to as “Old Roger”, and so the flag suggested the wrath of the devil. The classic skull and bones design was also often used in the Captain’s log to indicate the death of a sailor. This flag was an important part of the pirate’s armory, and is considered one of the earliest forms of psychological warfare.

In popular legend, it seems that every pirate flag consisted of a skull above two crossed bones. This was generally not the case, as the Captain and his crew often wanted their own flag. While it is true that most pirate flags had the skull and crossbones on them, they often had other images such as skeletons, swords, hourglasses, goblets, and hearts.

One of the most famous pirates was “Black Bart”, otherwise known as Bartholomew Roberts. He was originally from Wales, and in his 4 year career captured well over 400 ships and accumulated incredible wealth. It is said that he was a brilliant, fearless, and innovative seaman. His fleet scoured the seas looking for treasure, and he inspired fear and dread in governments and citizens alike.

The governments of the Caribbean islands of Barbados and Martinique were keen to see an end to his seafaring activities. In 1720, “Black Bart” captured the governor of Martinique and hung him from the mast of his ship. The flag he would fly represented the personal vendetta he had against the islands and its inhabitants. His flag consisted of an image of a man (presumably Bart) with a flaming sword in hand, standing with a skull under each foot. The letters “ABH” and “AMH” were inscribed under the skulls, and stood for “A Bahamian’s Head” and “A Martinicans Head”.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Lily Morgan asked:

The world of miniatures is not restricted to dollhouses and railroad sets. Collectors with a fancy for high seas adventure will find exactly what they’re looking for with Pirates of the Spanish Main. This unusual strategy game combines the best of miniatures collecting with game playing.

Launched by Seattle-based Wiz Kids Inc., Pirates of the Spanish Main is a is a tabletop game that players must partially construct to take part in. The game is sold in kits that include two three-dimensional ships, a terrain or island card, a treasure or crew card, rules and a die. Players must construct their ships prior to starting the game.

How The Game Is Played

Once players have at least one kit created, they can jump into the fun of this game. The rules included with each set explain how the cards and die rolls work for engaging in naval battles. The style and stakes of the game can change as more ships and cards are added to a collector’s set.

As players grow their fleets by purchasing more kits, actual game play can become a bit more complicated. While the basic style of play is meant for two people, it is possible to add more players when multiple sets are picked up.

The series has more than 60 different ships and more than 50 cards for treasure and crews. As British, Spanish and pirate ship fleets are constructed by players, however, it is often necessary to turn to the company’s Web site at http://www.wizkidsgames.com/PIRATES/ for detailed instructions on multi-ship battles. The company does offer a number of different games in the Spanish Main style. Collectors can also engage in battles as Pirates of the Crimson Coast, the Revolution, the Barbary Coast and more.

Finding The Pieces

Kits for playing Pirates of the Spanish Main are available in a number of locations. Most major stores, including Toys R Us, Kmart and Target carry kits. For collectors who want harder-to-find pieces, hobby shops are often able to accommodate. Pieces for the game, including cards and ships, are also traded among players. There are even Web sites established to help players trade or purchase rarer items from each other.

Alternative Play Options

While the traditional Pirates of the Spanish Main is meant to be a card and die-roll based game, there is an alternative for players who don’t want to collect or build their own fleets. Sony Online Entertainment has created its own version of the title for online players. Designed as a MMORPG, or massively multiplayer online role playing game, Pirates of the Burning Sea enables players to join one of four main loyalties – Spanish, French, English or Pirate. Once established in the game, players can join others in battles for control over more than 80 different Caribbean ports. They can also go on missions, try to build, capture or customize 158 different ships and more.

Designed as a MMORPG, or massively multiplayer online role playing game, Pirates of the Burning Sea enables players to join one of four main loyalties – Spanish, French, English or Pirate. Once established in the game, players can join others in battles for control over more than 80 different Caribbean ports. They can also go on missions, try to build, capture or customize 158 different ships and more.

Deb Bromley asked:

Kids parties have become the latest craze, and coming up with unique and fun themes and activities for children’s birthday parties and other events can be daunting. More and more parents are faced with the need to find new and creative ways to entertain throngs of classmates, neighborhood friends, and siblings of various ages.

One simple, low-cost, and very popular way to entertain children at any kind of celebration or gathering, indoors or out, is with a good old-fashioned treasure hunt. A treasure hunt is the one party game that truly promotes interaction, naturally evokes squeals of excitement, and leaves your party guests with lasting memories of their adventurous day at your child’s party.

What if your child doesn’t want a pirate-themed party? No problem! Treasure hunts aren’t just for pirates. Tradition has dictated that pirates are the great treasure hunters, but the fact of the matter is treasure hunts are loved by boys, girls, and grown-ups alike, and make a great addition to any party theme. Treasure hunts can be simply adapted with a storyline and a variety of decorations to fit into any party theme. This is the one area of planning where your child might already have a very clear idea of what they would like, and it would be wise to involve them in this decision, as it makes the party their own.

To adapt a treasure hunt for a princess-themed party, for example, you might announce that someone has stolen the princess’s jewels, and whoever finds them by following the clues will be rewarded with a share of the loot. You place a jewelry box overflowing with plastic beads, candy necklaces and rings, and other gem-like treats in the center of the party table, and have someone sneak the treasure away during the party before making the announcement. Other themes and decorations might revolve around the latest TV cartoon characters, superheroes, pop idols, a holiday, or your child might want to create their own theme.

That being said, be careful not to fall into the parent trap of spending a small fortune buying themed party goods. Consider purchasing just a few themed bright and colorful decorations and/or centerpieces, and then either complement them with less expensive coordinating party supplies and decorations, or make your own — there are plenty of great fun ways to put you and your child’s artistic talent to work to customize your party.

Some crafty ideas kids may love making or having at their party include authentic-looking weathered pirate treasure maps, princess crowns and jewelry, spyglasses made from paper towel rolls, pinatas (handmade or bought), cardboard hooks inserted into the bottom of styrofoam cups to wear on their hands like Captain Hook, paper or felt decorated pirate hats, and bejeweled and personalized loot bags, to name only a few.

Although it requires some time, creativity, and resources, you can make and stage your own treasure hunt game to play as a group or competitively in teams. Design and hide 10 clever clues that lead players step-by-step from one clue to the next, hidden amongst common objects, to ultimately discover the hidden treasure, which might be sacks of “loot” consisting of candy such as chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil, or party favors, toys, and other items valuable to children.

Alternatively, if you’re short on time, money, and party ideas like many busy parents and party planners, online sites such as Treasure-Adventure.com offer affordable complete treasure hunts with pre-made custom clues full of rhymes and riddles that kids love to solve, the design of which can be the most time-consuming and difficult part of preparing a treasure hunt.

Use creativity to build your party further around the hunt for a truly fantastic and memorable party that your child and his or her guests will talk about long after the party is over. Although the treasure hunt will likely be the main attraction since it is the most action-packed and engaging, don’t necessarily limit other activities that might complement the hunt such as a cannonball toss using bean bags or water balloons, “Walk the Plank” using a shallow pool full of plastic alligators and snakes, pan for gold using gold spray-painted rock nuggets, dress in costumes, hold a peg-leg relay, make a castle or pirate ship out of an appliance box, play “Blackbeard says,” etc. — the sky is the limit!

Treasure hunts are also not just limited to children or birthday parties, but are perfect for family fun night, slumber parties, classroom parties, picnics, and other group events. Treasure hunts bring parties alive with hours of challenging and fun entertainment, with the thrill of the hunt along with the solving of puzzles often being the most enjoyable and memorable part of the day. And don’t think you can’t top your last party. By using a variety of themes, new treasure hunt clues and decorations, and a little creativity, you can throw many more successful and unique parties for years to come that never go out of style.

“If you’re up to the challenge, spyglass and compass in hand, yer prize is in sight, so let the adventure begin!”

To purchase inexpensive ready-to-play treasure hunt games online and find more valuable information on treasure hunt party planning, visit Treasure-Adventure.com online at http://www.treasure-adventure.com. Games come complete with hiding guides to help you coordinate and pull off the perfect hunt and bring your party to life, come in a variety of themes such as for outdoor and classroom events, and the Treasure-Adventure.com web site also offers party supplies, free downloadable kids activities and games, party and craft ideas such as how to make an authentic looking pirate map, treasure hunting tips, and legends of lost treasure.