Fool proof shield and sword making for a party please

[crace]

Help needed for a big fool... I want them to decorate wands, swords and shields for my daughters princess & knights party - help?

Eeek... swords...is that wise?

Hmmm true - shields then? We did crowns last year otherwise we could do that..

Yeah, shields or these goblets are good.

heraldic shields mean something. Could you cut sheilds out of card, and get the children to draw/stick things on tghat are significant to them/their family?

number of siblings maybe, whattheir surname means, something about where they live (draw trees?) or their favourite colours, activities, interests, popstars, depending on age

Goblets... ooh, great idea. Loving the shields as well. Is it best to get cardboard card or just card?

depends what you want to do with them. stiffer card better if you want to stick a handle on the back so they can hold them (just a strip of card long enough to get hand through taped at both ends to the back of the shield.

I may cut them out of a big cardboard box, paint them silver and let them decorate them with the above recommendations. They are only 4ish so it's just a quick craft

I bought some plastic wine glasses and stick on jewels as well, fab idea

I did shields for ds3 party - I used an old card board box - a strong one not a cereal type box - cut out various shapes, used thick elastic and a stapler to make handles and then covered with different coloured stick back plastic. At the party the kids stuck stickers on them. This was for 3-4 year olds. The girls made those tall pointed hats with net on as well.

I made a couple, old cardboard box, taped a cardboard handle on. Will paint silver and let them make a coat of arms on it and decorate with some "knight" stickers etc I have courtesy of ebay.

The thing is I despise party games... so I will do as much prep work for crafty stuff to keep them busy in lieu of pass the parcel anyday.

I will be doing pin the jewel on the crown, wands/goblets/shields/colouring, eating, running around crazy with music and balloons. Hopefully that's enough. Yes? I might do a stolen version of What's the time Mr Wolf with a treasure chest with choc coins they can add to their party bags.