Are you looking for sorting ceremony ideas for a Harry Potter party? These are the best sorting hat ideas for throwing a magical party.
One of the best ideas for a Harry Potter party is a sorting house ceremony. Having thrown multiple Harry Potter parties over the years, we have always made sure to include a Hogwarts sorting ceremony.
If you are a Harry Potter fan, you know all about the magical sorting hat that the kids must put on when they get to Hogwarts in their first year. This hat talks and decides which Hogwarts house the kids will be sorted into.
At my daughter’s Harry Potter parties, we have done a sorting ceremony a few different ways. In this post, you will learn all about different sorting ceremony ideas for a Harry Potter party.
This post is all about sorting ceremony ideas for a Harry Potter party.
Ideas for a Harry Potter Party
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1. Harry Potter Sorting Hat
The talking sorting hat is one of the best sorting ceremony ideas for a Harry Potter party. This hat brings the magical feel of Hogwarts right into your home.
To have a sorting ceremony with this hat, we had everyone gather in the living room. Then, we placed one chair in the middle.
One by one, we called each person to take a seat in the chair. Then, we placed the Sorting Hat on their head and let it decide where they would be sorted. After being sorted, we gave each person a certificate that said which house they belonged to.
2. Sorting Hat Scratch Card
Another one of the sorting ceremony ideas for a Harry Potter party is scratch-off Hogwarts house cards. For my daughter’s most recent Harry Potter party, this was the sorting ceremony we did.
While she really wanted to use her sorting hat again, we were going to be playing a Sorcerer’s Stone game that needed equal teams. Because the sorting hat is random and not predictable, using the sorting hat would have given us lopsided teams.
This is when I decided to make scratch-off Hogwarts house cards so that we could ensure equal teams while still adding the element of surprise.
To do this, I created a printable with cards for each of the different houses. Then, I cut out each card and placed a scratch-off sticker covering the Hogwarts house.
Because I wasn’t sure exactly how many kids would show up at the party, I put them in labeled envelopes as soon as I covered the house, because once you cover the house, you won’t be able to tell them apart.
Then, when the party had started and we were ready for the ceremony, I counted how many kids were there. We had 18 kids at the party, so I took 4 scratch-off cards from two of the houses and 5 cards from the other two houses and placed them into a bowl.
Similarly to the sorting hat, we had everyone gather together. Then, we had each person come up and draw a card out of a bowl.
Then, they used a coin and scratched off the card to reveal which Hogwarts house they would be sorted into. If you would like to use this sorting ceremony printable, feel free to download and print it off!
3. Sorting Hat Cupcakes
Cupcakes are another fun idea for a sorting ceremony. To make sorting house cupcakes, first make whatever flavor of cupcakes you prefer.
Once your cupcakes have cooled, scoop a large hole in the top of each cupcake, making sure to save the cupcake piece that is scooped out.
Then, fill the hole with either red (Gryffindor), green (Slytherin), yellow (Hufflepuff), or blue (Ravenclaw) M&M’s or frosting. Next, place the scooped-out cupcake piece back on top.
To finish, pipe plain icing or frosting on the top of the cupcake to conceal the color inside. For an added touch, you can place a Hershey’s kiss on the top of the cupcake to look like a sorting hat.
At the party, let each kid pick out a cupcake. When they bite into the cupcake, the color will reveal which house they are sorted into.
4. Sorting Hat Quiz
A sorting hat quiz is another one of the sorting ceremony ideas for a Harry Potter party. Answer questions to find out which house suits you best.
Feel free to check out my Sorting Hat Quiz Post to get your free printable quiz. Then, answer all of the questions on the quiz by circling the answer that best fits you.
Once you have finished answering all of the questions, add up your points from each question to reveal which house you belong to.
On the second page of the printable, it shows which house you belong to based on your total score.
If you score 10-17 points, you belong in Ravenclaw, 18-25 points, you belong in Hufflepuff, 26-33 points, you belong in Gryffindor, and 34-40 points, you belong in Slytherin.
5. Sorting Hat Wheel
This is one of the easiest sorting ceremony ideas for a Harry Potter party. Have the party guests spin the wheel to find out which house they have been sorted into!
To make the sorting house wheel, you’ll need to download and print my Hogwarts house wheel below. I recommend printing it on cardstock because it’ll be less flimsy. Then, cut out the wheel.
If you don’t have cardstock, you could also glue it to a piece of cardboard.
Next, poke a hole in the middle and put in a game spinner like this. You could also use a game spinner from another game, such as Twister or Chutes and Ladders.
Another option for a spinner would be to use a paper clip and a brad (brass fastener). Make sure when securing the brad, you don’t do it too tightly. You want to make sure there is a slight gap in order for the paper clip to spin.
Feel free to download and print my sorting wheel below.
Other Ideas For A Harry Potter Party
Harry Potter Bingo – This Harry Potter-themed bingo game is a great party game! There are 25 unique cards, making it perfect for large groups.
Harry Potter Party Food – If you are throwing a Harry Potter party, you’ll want to check out these Harry Potter-themed food ideas.
Honeydukes Candy Dice Game – This would be a really fun party game! What kid doesn’t love candy?!
Harry Potter Party Favors – These are the perfect party favor ideas for a Harry Potter party!
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