Original Idea: http://partiesandholidays.blogspot.com/2009/01/drive-in-movie-night.html

I found this awesome idea on Pinterest (See link above) -  We went with the Cars 2 theme for my son’s 8th Birthday!  It was a HIT!!!

Supplies Needed:

Cars:
Moving Boxes -  Lowes or Home Depot 
Postal Paper
Paper plates
Spray Paint  (Black, Red, & Silver)
Construction Paper or Card Stock
Scissors
Tacky Glue / Glue Gun
Paper Towel/Toilet Paper Rolls

Aluminum Foil

Concession Stand:
Play Money (Party City)
Movie Themed Table Cloth (Party City)
Fun Sized Candy
Fruit Snacks
Juice Boxes
Movie Theater Popcorn
Movie Theater sized Candy Boxes (Walmart $1 each)
Popcorn Boxes (Oriental Trading)
Paper Bags

Menu:
Small Display Boards (Walmart)
Movie Themed Stickers ( Hobby Lobby & Michaels)

Other :  Cars 2 Movie
Cars 2 Tin (Old Navy)
Movie Tickets (Homemade)
Markers - Crayons -  Glue

Party Details:
Time: 3-5 hours -  This should give you enough time to design the car, watch a movie, play time, & cake.  Great for a sleepover as well!
I recommend doing the party for 4-6 kids - We had 10 children and it was a workout!  LOL!
For gifts we asked for donations for the Philadelphia Ronald Mcdonald house where our family stays often.  It was a hit and of course everyone we invited showed up! 

Cake:  Cars 2 cake was ordered at Publix. I think they have the best cakes.  We ordered half and half with buttercream icing.  It was DELISH!

Concession Stand:
Upon arrival each child is given a paper bag full of play money, stickers and precut items to design their own car.   All the kids had enough money to purchase their movie ticket, candy, popcorn and drink.  The kids had a great math lesson too!  They all let me know how much change they would get back from their purchase!  They loved that they had extra money to buy more goodies.  Limit ONE big candy purchase and ONE box of popcorn.  I offered alternatives - fruit snacks, fruit, etc. Don’t want to have too many tummy aches! 

Construct your cars:
You will need to do this a day before the party as the cars are very time consuming if you have alot of boxes to build.

I recommend buying the boxes instead of getting them from the supermarket -  They are about a buck - and they will all be the same size.

Tape boxes together with a heavy duty packing / duct tape
Cut off all but one side of the flaps. -  You will tape this down to create a table or “hood”
Cover boxes with postal paper - If you find boxes without the stores logo on them - you can skip this step
Cut a small hole in back of car for the exhaust pipe  (paper towel/ toilet roll painted silver)
Design your own Grill -  Paint or draw on yourself
Design your own Tail Lights -  Paint/draw on yourself or precut for children to glue on.

Paint paper plates black for tires.  My husband put a coin in the middle to give it that added touch.  You can save these for the kids to put on or you can also have these ready prior to the party. Have an older child or adult help the children glue the tires on. 
Cover a piece of scrap cardboard in aluminum foil for license plate.  They are easy to write on for personalization!  Glue on prior to party.

Party Time!!!!
We did our party from 12-5pm
12pm:  Children arrive !  We asked the kids to bring their pillow & blanket for comfort while they watched the movie.  Don’t forget to get emergency phone numbers from parents - and also ask if their are any food allergies!
12:30:  Break out the markers, crayons, stickers  & camera’s! Kids design their own cars !
Have them glue on the precut headlights, tail lights and tires.   Have them personalize their license plate! 
1pm: Start the line for the Concession Stand.
1:30: Start Cars 2
3:00: Play/Game time outside or in whatever you prefer! 
Good time to clean up the mess from the movie hour!   I was able to put all of the cars on the porch and vacuum my floor before the kids returned.
3:30:  Kids eat pizza, pasta salad, fruit or veggies
4:00: Dance Party!  Kids loved dancing and showing off their moves. 
4:30: Birthday Cake
5pm:  Parents arrive for some TIRED but WIRED kids!   All the kids took home their CAR as a souvenir! Great time had by all! Especially the birthday boy who repeatedly yelled BEST PARTY EVER!!!!!!!! 

Find me on Pinterest  :  http://pinterest.com/forabby