Costumes & Accessories (28)

Caveman Party

Table of contents

Introduction

For those with a love of prehistoric times or just a bit of a party with a difference, this party theme is especially for you: the Caveman party. We all know cavemen as those characters from popular television series like the Flint Stones or those individuals who used to hit each other over the head with heavy clubs and drag each other around be the hair. Whatever your definition of a caveman party, you'll agree that's it's a time to dispense with modern formalities and go back to your prehistoric self.

 

Below you'll find a couple of ideas to help you organize the ultimate caveman party including suggestions for invitations, decorations as well as foods. But first, a little scientific information on the caveman...

 

Cavemen as we know them today more often than not refer to the Neanderthal, a member of the Homo genus of which traits were noticed as early as 600,000 years ago. The last sign of Neanderthal existence is noted as being 22,000 years ago. They are described as almost human size (males standing an average of 5'5" tall) with an enlarged cranium. It is the latter fact that lead to the belief that they may have had bigger brains than contemporary homo sapiens, but scientific measurements proved otherwise, if only marginally.

 

The name itself comes from the area where the first remains were discovered in the Neandertal valley, which is a small valley of the river Düssel in the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This valley, in turn, was named after Joachim Neander, a theologian who lived in the area. However it needs to be said that not all Neanderthal remains were subsequently discovered in Germany.

 

Evidence of Neanderthal activity have been found across Europe and Asia as well, with areas of noted interest including France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Croatia.

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Caveman Party Invitations

Whether you're an actual living caveman or just a modern guy/gal looking for a good old time (in the literal sense of the word), you'll be needing invitations to let the other cavemen and cavewomen know they are invited. For this purpose we've put our heads together and come up with a couple of ideas which you may use at your own will. Should you need any of the items or materials required, simply pay a visit to the appropriate store in your area or purchase it off the internet. Oh, and remember to include the following details so that all your cave buddies will come prepared:

  • Party Name: Give your party an exciting name. Here's an example: “Stone-Skull Jim's Cave Pounding”

  • Salutation: Here you can invent a caveman names for your friends. An example would be “Saber-tooth Alex & Club-throwing Lilly”

  • Date & Time

  • Venue/Location

  • Dress Code

  • Contact Details

  • Additional information…

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Caveman Design

The Caveman Design is an easy and cost-effective invitation to make that will simply require the use of a computer as well as a printer. Should you not have either of the two, get in touch with someone who does and won't mind you using theirs.

 

Use some clip-art or download a couple of images from the internet (with permission) that you feel will represent your caveman party the best. If you are short on ideas, simply think about some of your favorite caveman films or television series or log on to the internet and make use of your favorite search engine.

 

Once done, use the computer with the appropriate software installed to edit the image and position it on your invitation template. Remember to include the details as mentioned above and also to use the appropriate font (something stone-like).

 

When your invitation design is finished, simply have it printed and get ready to deliver!

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Engraved Rock

For this image you will need... rocks, and as many as there are guests you'll want to invite. In addition to the rocks, you will need to find someone capable of doing a little bit of rock engraving for you. If you don't know of any one in your area, simply log on to the internet and do a quick search using your favorite search engine.

 

Before you have the rocks engraved, ensure that you have all the details in place. Remember, you'll want to have a rock engraved for each of the guests or couples that you plant to invite, so at the very least the names will change on each invitation.

 

Once everything has been done, get ready for rock delivery!

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Engraved Club

For those who don't want to use rock, why not use some wood? This idea is exactly like the Engraved Rock, with the only difference being the material used. If you want to combine the two invitations it could be a good idea to have clubs (large, cone-shaped pieces of wood) engraved for the guys and the rocks for the girls.

Caveman Party Dress Code

Well what could be easier than dressing like a caveman? For both men and women.. it will simply be some fur to cover all the essential bits. But of course fur is expensive and, give current conservation climates, not something you'd really want to be seen with. As such, thick, brown material will do:

 

For Him: A piece of cloth that ties around one shoulder, leaving the other bare.

For Her: An elegant short skirt (just above the knees) and a matching top.

 

As for invitation purposes, you'll simply need to inform your friends that the dress code is “Caveman”.

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Caveman Party Decorations

Caveman decorations rely on a couple of simple items for authenticity:

  • Boulders in stead of chairs

  • (Fake) Animal hides on the walls

  • A couple of (Fake) animal skulls

  • A nice crackling fire

  • Some wooden/rock bowls

  • Appropriate wall art

Do note that some of these decorations might not be suitable for indoor parties, so you'll have to find appropriate substitutes if your venue requires them.

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Caveman Party Guest Arrival & Announcement

As cavemen didn't really have a language of their own (or none recorded in history), you'll be able to make up your own invitations. Just remember to use as many grunts and nonplussed facial expressions as possible. Here's an example:

 

“I.... uh, welcome Sarah! Oh, uh and Alan”.

Caveman Party Favors

Party favors for your cavemen guests should include anything that could make their lives a little bit easier and put them on the course toward evolution. Here are a couple of ideas:

  • The Wheel

  • Necklaces with bits of stone and shells

  • Leather pouches

  • Flint stones

  • Clubs

  • Bowls

  • Cups

All these and many more are available from the appropriate retailer in your area or directly off the internet.

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Caveman Party Activities

Caveman Baseball

They say the game of baseball originated in 17th century England. But who's to say that the cavemen didn't use their clubs to hit stones around for fun?

 

Invite your guests to a game of baseball, where a crude baseball bat (also known as a club) and a baseball (also known as a ball of string, a fruit, a bit of rolled-up material) can be used to provide hours of cavemen fun.

 

Remember that cavemen weren't necessarily the brightest of species around, so mistakes are definitely required! As opposed to normal baseball where the best team wins, here it will be the funniest and daftest to walk away with the prize.

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Caveman Art

Partake with your guests in some cave painting by providing them with some paint and paintbrushes made out of bits of wood, hair and leaves (or just buy normal ones). You'll also want to get each guest a couple of sheets of paper and some oven gloves.

 

The purpose of this activity is to paint a detailed image whilst wearing the oven gloves. See who paints the best, the worst and who delivers the funniest work of all and make it a rewarding experience.

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Invent the Wheel

Alright, you won't be reinventing the wheel with this activity, but it will be close. For this activity you'll need to get all sorts of bits and pieces. These can include wood, glue, string, nuts, bolts, etc.

 

The purpose of this activity is to have a competition to see who invent the most useful creation with the given materials. It might be prudent to pair those with a talent for this activity with those who may be proficient in something else. Be sure to award a a prize to the most creative invention.

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Hit The Target

Cavemen often had to rely on strength as well as accuracy if they wanted to survive. For this activity you'll need a couple of empty plastic bottles and something to use as a spear (for safety purposes, ensure that it has a blunt tip).

 

This game is played by placing each o the empty plastic bottles spaced evenly apart every few feet. An example would be: Bottle no.1 at 10 feet; Bottle no.2 at 20 feet; Bottle no. 3 at 30 feet, etc.

Once you've set up the playing field, you and your guests will have to take turns using the makeshift spear to hit the first bottle. Those who've hit the first bottle, can move on to the second, and so on. Those who haven't hit the first bottle have to keep on trying until they do.

 

Take care to ensure that none of your guests move closer to their target when its their turn to throw as this will constitute cheating. In addition, always remember to pay attention to safety and ensure that there is no one standing in front of the makeshift spear at all times.

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Food & Drink

Cavemen were carnivores and, as such, basically invented the barbecue. Treat your guests to an open-flame barbecue with some of the finest meats you can find. In addition, you might want to procure some greenery as well as snacks for those with a taste for something other than meat.

 

As for drinks you'll have to rely on modern conveniences such as beer, wines and liquors as cavemen basically just drank water.

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