Everything comes up roses--and pansies and zinnias--at this party, which celebrates a year of growth right at the grassroots level. Filled with flowers and hands-on gardening, this theme will be an especially blooming success for kids with spring or summer birthdays.

THE HIT OF THE PARTY:

When reader Chris Edwards threw a "Flower Power" party for her six-year-old daughter, Natalie Cutcher, the best part was when each guest got to transplant a small impatiens into a little pot to take home. "They loved having their own special plant to take care of," Chris says.

DECOR:

If weather permits, set up a table in the backyard and add a floral tablecloth and a vase of wild flowers as a centerpiece.

FUN & GAMES:

--Put On Face Paint. As Guests Arrived, Chris Painted Flowers On Each Girl's Cheeks And A Bumblebee On Her Nose.

--Make Gardening Hats. Using Tubes Of Fabric Paint, Guests Can Decorate Inexpensive Plastic Gardening Visors With Flowers, Designs And Their Names.

--Have A Watering-Can Relay. Give Your Crew Two Watering Cans And Have Them Form A Line Between The Hose And A Kiddie Pool. See How Quickly They Can Fill Up The Pool, Water Brigade Style.

FAVORS:

Fill tiny flowerpots with seed packets, flower stickers and gummy worms.

EATS:

If you want to go all out with the garden theme, serve garden burgers, salad with edible flowers and sunflower seeds. Top it off with our cheery sunflower cake.

SUNFLOWER CAKE

1 baked 9-inch round cake
16 Twinkies
5 cups yellow icing
Mini Hershey Kisses

Place the Twinkies along the outer edge of the cake. Frost yellow. Dot the center with Kisses for sunflower "seeds."