Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Subscribe
Save Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight

      35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight

      One pan, pot, skillet, or Instant Pot is all you need to for these no-fuss family dinners, including salmon, pasta, pot roast, chili, and so much more. Read More Next
    • The Best 2021 Bedroom Paint Colors

      The Best 2021 Bedroom Paint Colors

      Explore the best 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint experts. Read More Next
    • The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When

      The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When

      Our printable checklists will tell you what you should be doing every day, week, month, season—or every once in a while—to keep your home in ship-shape year round. Read More Next
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners

    Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners

    When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. All can be made in 45 minutes or less.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    Four Simple Tasks to Complete Right Now to Make Your Entire Home a Little Greener

    Four Simple Tasks to Complete Right Now to Make Your Entire Home a Little Greener

    Our experts share the to-dos that will can make your home so much more eco-friendly.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year

    The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year

    Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts

    How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts

    Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    How to Plant a Beautiful Perennial Garden

    How to Plant a Beautiful Perennial Garden

    Create a living work of art with a variety of flowers and plants, colors, and textures.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor

    How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor

    You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

    How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home

    Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home

    Start by carving out a designated work area in your space.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE

    How to Start a Virtual Book Club

    From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice.
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Entertaining
  3. A "Charlotte's Web"-Inspired Birthday Party That Celebrates Spring

A "Charlotte's Web"-Inspired Birthday Party That Celebrates Spring

By Alexandra Churchill
April 09, 2019
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
charlottes web childrens party girl wearing straw hat posing in front of photo booth
Credit: Billye Donya
Join the rollicking fun inspired by one of literature's most beloved classics: a party scene that celebrates spring, baskets of apples, cake, and a surprise appearance by one small piglet.
Start Slideshow

1 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
charlottes web childrens party girl wearing straw hat posing in front of photo booth
Credit: Billye Donya
Get More Kids' Birthday Party Ideas

E.B. White's Charlotte's Web

 is a story of friendship between two unlikely characters—a pig and a spider—and yet, it's so much more. Turn the pages, and read along: It evokes pastoral imagery of rolling fields, red barns, animals grazing countryside, and apples by the bushel. There's a host of charming personalities from Charlotte the spider to the geese and the gander to the flock of sheep, and little Fern Arable, a girl who rescued Wilbur the pig's when he was born the runt of his litter. Over the years, this 1952 novel is as entertaining for children as it is nostalgic for adults, hence the inspiration for this family-friendly party set in springtime.

"The inspiration for this Charlotte's Web birthday party started with the new farm forward collection from Daydream Society, specifically those super cute barn plates," says Royale Ziegler of But First, Party! "And since I had so much fun designing the Peter Rabbit-themed baby shower last year, tying this barn theme to a classic and beloved children's book like Charlotte's Web seemed like the perfect fit." 

Hosted in the great outdoors, Royale invited children and their moms for a day in the sunshine. There were hardcover books as party favors, whimsical illustrations, and child-friendly activities like coloring and playing dress-up in denim overalls, straw hats, and paper props in front of a backyard barn. At the table: a platter of vegetables fresh from the farm, small berry pies, and pretty-in-pink pig macarons. As the sweet ending: a cake decorated to look just like Charlotte's web. The gathering itself emulated a famously penned quote of Charlotte's: "You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing."

1 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Salutations!

charlottes web childrens party stationary suite
Credit: Billye Donya
See More Stationery Sets

"Some Pig. Humble. Radiant." These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. The invitation suite by Proper Letter includes cheerful illustrations reminiscent of the originals by Garth Williams: Wilbur the pig leaping for joy and Charlotte's spindly web in the page's corner with her quote, "Salutations are greetings; it's my fancy way of saying hello."

2 of 24

3 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Wise Words

charlottes web childrens party book lover place cards
Credit: Billye Donya

From Paper Elation, each guest received a library card—printed vintage typewriter-style—with a different quote from the book. They paired perfectly with the "book lover" cards and calligraphed place cards. The pink gingham pattern was hand painted.

3 of 24

Advertisement

4 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Literary Inspiration

charlottes web childrens party pink book with bow and flowers
Credit: Billye Donya

No party would be complete without a gift of the story that inspired it all: a gilded hardcover copy of Charlotte's Web. As a nod to E.B. White's New England roots, guests also received chewy goat milk caramels from Vermont's Big Picture Farm.

4 of 24

5 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Characters Come to Life

charlottes web childrens party book cut out and pig stuffed animal
Credit: Billye Donya
Get More Gift Ideas for Kids

In the kids' gift baskets, Royale included a few clever references to Wilbur the pig: "I also was blown away by the folded book artwork from Happy Little Gifts, which was coupled with cute pink pig plushies from Maileg."

5 of 24

6 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Inspiration on a Platter

charlottes web childrens party paper farm themed servingware
Credit: Billye Donya

Daydream Society provided the tabletop essentials, including these charming barn plates. "Our 'On the Farm' collection was inspired by everyday farm life and classic Americana, we wanted the designs to feel fresh and modern," founder Mary-Kevin Stuart explains. "The collection was designed in collaboration with Lindsey Balbierz, a talented illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York. Working with independent artists to create unique and differentiated products is what we love most about what we do!"

6 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Welcome to the Barn

charlottes web childrens party outdoor photo booth with barn illustration backdrop
Credit: Billye Donya

The Zuckerman farm is the backdrop of Charlotte's Web, and also this party. Here, the barn was made to be larger than life: "The barn backdrop was printed onto fabric using the artwork from the collection," Royale explains. On on side, a bright red tractor; on the left, a beaming sun—both were hand-painted, cardboard renditions of the plate's illustrations.

7 of 24

8 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Farmer's Flowers

charlottes web childrens party flowers on table with barn backdrop in background
Credit: Billye Donya
See More Beautiful Spring Centerpieces

For the kids' table, Royale asked for the help of a florist friend Barrett Prendergast of Valleybrink Road. "Her floral aesthetic is so right for this concept: very organic and in the bundle style," Royale says. "She used a variety of blooms that most can find at their local farmers market and recreate at home." This centerpiece is filled with blooming ranunculus, chamomile, and other leafy greens.

8 of 24

9 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Fresh Delivery

charlottes web childrens party outdoor photo booth with tractor cutout and flowers
Credit: Billye Donya

For the outdoor décor, Royale sourced farmer's tools and supplies. On the lefthand side, stainless steel milking buckets and pails make eye-catching vessels for sunflowers, sweet pea, lavender, and paper-bundled bouquets.

9 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Country Charm

charlottes web childrens party outdoor photo booth with crate of apples and pig stuffed animal
Credit: Billye Donya

On the right, she stacked wooden crates with more milking pails (billy balls, dahlias, wheat spikelets, lisianthus, acacia, and geranium), bails of hay, bright red apples, and added a stuffed toy piglet. 

10 of 24

11 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Apples Aplenty

charlottes web childrens party candied apples
Credit: Billye Donya
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Who could resist a shiny red apple—particularly, one coated in this bright candied glaze? Each child found their own handheld treat at their seat, and each apple was tied with a bow of gingham ribbon.

11 of 24

12 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Place Settings

charlottes web childrens party paper farm themed servingware on wooden table
Credit: Billye Donya

For each child, the wooden table was set with colorfully illustrated plates from Daydream Society, cups, and birchwood cutlery ideal for little ones.

12 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Farm Fresh

charlottes web childrens party crudite on top of red striped towel
Credit: Billye Donya

A generous platter of vegetable crudités was laid out for snacking: baby carrots, radish, romanesco, cherry tomatoes, baby sweet bell peppers, baby zucchini, snap peas, asparagus, and a dill yogurt dip for garnish. Barrett selected small vegetables that looked like they were just gathered, leaving on the green tops on carrots and radish, "to give it an organic, just picked feel."

13 of 24

14 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pig Out

charlottes web childrens party pig macaroons
Credit: Billye Donya
Learn How to Make French Macarons

Lauren Lowstan of A Sweet Savory baked all of the sweet treats and desserts, including these French macarons made to look like Wilbur the pig. With their pretty pink hue and squiggly features (look closely at one, and you'll see the teeny-tiny snout and flopped ears), could help but smile back? Hogging them, encouraged.

14 of 24

15 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Berry Beautiful

charlottes web childrens party miniature berry pies
Credit: Billye Donya
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Small treats for small hands. Baked with cutouts in the crust, these miniature cherry pies betokened the heartfelt sentiments of Charlotte and Wilbur's story.

15 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Friends Gather 'Round

charlottes web childrens party women serving children outdoors
Credit: Billye Donya
Get More Party Table Ideas

For such a beautiful spring day at the park, Royale hosted her four-year-old son Stellan, Barrett Prendergast and her son Costa (also four), and little friends Saffron (five), and Ever (four). The wooden kids' table with bench-style seating was a rental from Teak and Lace.

16 of 24

17 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Coloring at the Table

charlottes web childrens party coloring book pages
Credit: Billye Donya
Try Creative Party Favors That Go Beyond the Goody Bag

The dinnerware illustrations inspired the kids' activity: Illustrations of farm animals, the barn, and tractor were printed onto coloring pages for the kids to keep themselves entertained at the table. Kids could pick from their choice of eco-friendly twig colored pencils.

17 of 24

18 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Cake

charlottes web childrens party cake with frosting creating spider web
Credit: Billye Donya
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Charlotte's web inspired Charlotte's cake, courtesy of A Sweet Savory: This peanut butter cheesecake was drizzled with a spiderweb in white chocolate, then presented atop this hardwood maple cake stand by AHeirloom.

18 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sweet Slices

charlottes web childrens party woman feeding child cake
Credit: Billye Donya
Get More Kids' Birthday Cake Recipes

Even with candy apples and macarons for nibbling, the kids couldn't wait to earn their slice of this decadent dessert.

19 of 24

20 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Playing Farmers

charlottes web childrens party children posing with cardboard tractor
Credit: Billye Donya

Whether kids have agricultural aspirations or want a big red barn to call their own, the outdoor props made for hours of pretend play. Pictured here, duo Stellan and Costa take the wheel of the bright red tractor.

20 of 24

21 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Picture Perfect

charlottes web childrens party girl holding flowers posing in front of barn backdrop with pig stuffed animal
Credit: Billye Donya

The farm was a special place for an authentic, one-of-a-kind party that the kids would never forget. The Zuckerman barn backdrop plus a few of the outdoor decorations provided the set for kids to star in one-of-a-kind snapshots. Here, Saffron strikes a pose with a bundle of flowers in one hand and petting Wilbur with the other.

21 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Happy Smiles

charlottes web childrens party girl holding flowers posing in front of barn backdrop
Credit: Billye Donya

In keeping with the theme, kids and adults alike were all encouraged to attend dressed in their farmer best. Many of the children wore clothes from The Hey Gang while the grownup hosts chose their outfits from Midland and The Great. Here, Ever wears a pink dress, lace-up shoes, a wide-brim sunhat, and a big smile. The "Salutations!" doormat was made courtesy of Proper Letter.

22 of 24

23 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Squealing Surprise

charlottes web childrens party woman holding pig
Credit: Billye Donya

The biggest surprise? A small piglet, just like Wilbur! Kids were excited to meet the little character of Wilbur come to life. 

23 of 24

24 of 24

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sources

charlottes web childrens party children petting pig
Credit: Billye Donya

Event planning, Royale Ziegler of But First, Party! 
Photography, Billye Donya Photography
Partyware, Daydream Society
Flowers and crudite, Barrett Prendergast of Valleybrink Road
Desserts: Lauren Lowstan of A Sweet Savory
Rental, Teak and Lace
Stationery and doormat, Proper Letter
Cake stands and boards, AHeirloom
Folded book artwork, Happy Little Gifts
Book quote cards, Paper Elation
Children's wear, The Hey Gang
Womenswear, Midland and The Great

24 of 24

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Alexandra Churchill

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 24
2 of 24 Salutations!
3 of 24 Wise Words
4 of 24 Literary Inspiration
5 of 24 Characters Come to Life
6 of 24 Inspiration on a Platter
7 of 24 Welcome to the Barn
8 of 24 Farmer's Flowers
9 of 24 Fresh Delivery
10 of 24 Country Charm
11 of 24 Apples Aplenty
12 of 24 The Place Settings
13 of 24 Farm Fresh
14 of 24 Pig Out
15 of 24 Berry Beautiful
16 of 24 Friends Gather 'Round
17 of 24 Coloring at the Table
18 of 24 The Cake
19 of 24 Sweet Slices
20 of 24 Playing Farmers
21 of 24 Picture Perfect
22 of 24 Happy Smiles
23 of 24 Squealing Surprise
24 of 24 Sources

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Martha Stewart

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service
  • Media Kit
  • Sitemap
  • Martha's Blog
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • FAQ
  • Corporate
  • International

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Meredith Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

View image

A "Charlotte's Web"-Inspired Birthday Party That Celebrates Spring
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.