Archive for Party basics
The Party Hat
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s not Christmas without those colourful little party hats that kids love and adults grudgingly wear. I think there’s something great about sitting there looking like a dill, just as everyone else is too. The kids love to see us get into the spirit of the occasion.
This year, when the kids are driving you nuts in those days leading up to Santa’s arrival, why not give them something to do? Why not let them make their own party hats this year?
You don’t need a lot of equipment and it doesn’t have to be messy. All you need is some paper plates, a stapler, scissors, colourful paint, glue and cotton wool.
This little video will show you how to make them and how good the end product can look.
How to Make Christmas Party Hats —powered by eHow.com
Simple Halloween Costumes
Posted by: | Comments
Oh no! The kids want to join in on the Halloween festivities. Where do you start?
Halloween costumes don’t have to be over the top or expensive. A little thought and creativity and you can come up with something fun and simple and easy on the wallet from wardrobe basics or a trip to the Op Shop. Plus you can enlist the kids to help you make their own costume to add to their enjoyment of the event.
How about a scarecrow? A flannelette or checked shirt, rolled up jeans with patches, (you can tack them on with some cotton and take them back off again easily enough) and rope for a belt. Pad the shirt and jeans a little with some newspaper or plastic bags and stuff straw in the sleeves and jean cuffs. A bit of makeup on the face and there you have it. Cheap and simple!
Great for kids of all ages, why not dress up as a mummy? Wrap the ‘body’ in white bandages (rolls of gauze), use splotches of green paint for ‘mould’, paint on white make-up for the face and hands with “age lines” drawn on. Add a stiff legged walk and outstretched arms and BOOOOO!
Most little girls love to dress up as a princess or a fairy, and it’s not hard to rustle up a pretty dress, sparkly shoes, a tiara and a wand from the wardrobe and a few cheap purchases. Don’t have a tiara? They can be bought cheaply at $2 shops or made with some pipe cleaners and tinsel. Wands are easy to make with a piece of dowel, wrapped in ribbon and topped with a paper star or the Christmas Tree topper! Some glitter on the cheek bones and gloss on the lips and your wee girl will be the belle of the ball.
A little time and creativity and your little trick or treater will be as unique as your imagination allows. If only dealing with the post Halloween sugar rush was this easy!
Bedtime Stories For Sleepover Parties
Posted by: | Comments
Probably the one thought that makes every parent shudder when it comes to planning a sleepover party is getting a houseful of kids to actually go to sleep. After an afternoon and evening of games, food and laughter you don’t want to be lying in bed awake at 3am listening to giggles and whispers.
It is a good idea is to try and settle the kids down with a bedtime story or two. This will make them sit (or lie) still and be quiet and hopefully get them ready for going to sleep.
So what do you read to them when it is bedtime?
Well there are a few things to consider.
• What is the age of the children? Make sure you choose age-appropriate books or they will quickly grow bored and loose interest.
• Select stories suitable for either boys or girls.
• If you have had a party “theme” perhaps continue the theme with the bedtime story.
Here are some possible story suggestions which will entertain them.
• Stories by Enid Blyton have captivated kids for years and continue to do so.
• Harry and the Dinosaurs First Sleepover will be popular with younger boys.
• Classic Treasury of Best Loved Bedtime Stories or similar books like this are full of wonderful stories the kids (and adults) will love.
If you are really stuck visit The Children’s Book Council of Australia website for a list of winners in different age groups for “Book of the Year” award.
Pop into your local library or bookstore and have a browse around. You can also take along with you the birthday boy or girl to help them choose a book they think their friends will love and this can become a special memento of their sleepover party.
Holding A Baby Shower
Posted by: | Comments
Baby showers are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the impending arrival of a new little babe into the world or even to celebrate the birth itself, depending on when it is scheduled. Traditionally showers were only for the first born child however of course for many, showers are now held for every child regardless of their position within the family.
In Australia, invitations are usually sent out and the mother is “showered” with baby related gifts on the day. Similarly to that of a children’s party, games are played and often they are taken directly from that of a child’s party. Pass the parcel, food tasting, egg and spoon races, hopscotch and singing of children’s song are known to be favourites of such an event.
Food wise, cake and other delicious finger food is generally served and often the parties are themed. Pink or blue is an obvious theme if the sex of the baby is already known, otherwise you can select a theme which is suitable for either gender. Suggestions include a basic nursery theme such as stars or the alphabet or you can go so far as to select a character such as Winnie the Pooh or the ever popular Beatrix Potter characters.
If you are looking for some fun and inspirational ideas for baby shower favours, visit Martha Stewart. Ranging from flower power to cherries and chocolate, your guests will undoubtedly appreciate your efforts.
Whatever you decide on, it is important to remember that the aim of the shower is to provide a fun and relaxed environment for the mum-to-be.
Birthday Cards For Kids
Posted by: | Comments
Most children’s birthday cards are boring. They have the standard princess, unicorn or cake on the front with a simple and unnecessarily dull message inside.
No wonder they throw the cards away without a second look. Give them something a bit more exciting this year. We’ve had a look around and come up with these great finds.
Well you didn’t think I’d forget our cards, did you? We don’t stock dull cards. Ours are full of life and colour. They suit ages 1 to 10 and each age has the choice of a card for a boy or girl. You’ll notice that the designs are all age appropriate, too. We know kids love them because we’ve seen their faces when they are given one.
Thinkcards has a great range of cards for all occasions but we love their children’s range. It’s small but clever.
The Charlie and Lola cards use characters that look just like those in the popular cartoons of today. They are quirky and because the cards have both male and female characters in them, they will suit both boys and girls. This one will even suit a hippo.
While you are there, have a look at the Pango cards. The little devil caught our eye. The cards are boldy coloured with simple graphics but the best part is that the main figure is actually a magnet. Your child can put it on the fridge and keep it.
3. Yahoo Kids
Yahoo Kids is a fun site that allows kids to create their own e-cards. Often, getting an e-card is more exciting for the junior generation than getting a card in the mail.
The cards are bright and funny and all your child has to do is to enter the name and email address of the recipient and click.
Cards can be very expensive. At Shop 4 Toys you can buy birthday cards for only $2 each. They have cards to suit newborns to tweens.
Party on, Dude!
The Pinata
Posted by: | Comments
A Piñata (pronounced pin-yar-tah) is made from paper mache or cardboard in the shape of a popular or traditional character or animal and then filled with wrapped lollies, small prizes, toys, balloons and confetti.
Piñatas are one of those kids party basics that every birthday party should have but they are also popular at adult parties such as Hens or Bucks nights, weddings and anniversaries. Piñatas are also a novel and unique idea for a corporate event such as a product launch, meeting or motivational conference.
Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to make your own piñata including a video.
Many people believe the piñata originated in Mexico. In fact, the origin of the Piñata is somewhat disputed. It is thought that Marco Polo took it from China to the West and it spread from there. Others believe it originated in Italy, Greece, Spain or Portugal. Nowadays, the popularity of piñatas is slowly spreading throughout the world.
To play, hang the piñata from a clothesline, ceiling or a tree. Make sure there is adult supervision and ensure everyone stands well clear. Everyone takes a turn, after being blindfolded and spun around 3 times. They then use a broomstick or bat and try to hit the piñata.
Once the piñata is broken the guests can collect the goodies that fall out. A simpler way for young children to play is not to use a blindfold, rather the children line up and take it in turns to try and “smash” open the piñata.
Here is some information on how to make a pinata including a video for you to watch. If you don’t want to make one, why not look at our clever pinata designs which are flat packed and ready to fill? They will save you time, money and lots of glue!
Kaboodle Kits for Kids – Cooking Parties
Posted by: | CommentsIf there is one thing kids love more than cooking, it’s cooking with their friends! The Kaboodle Kids Cooking Kit is not only great as a birthday present but also as the basis of a fantastic birthday party. They love to get messy knowing that there will be something tasty at the end of it.
Here are some helpful tips for running a cooking party:
1. Keep the numbers small. Depending on the size of your kitchen and the age of your guests this party idea is better suited to a small group of 2 to 6 children. (2 kits would be needed for higher numbers)
2. Accept before hand that this is going to be a messy activity and there is no way around it. Flour fights are inevitable and fun, especially if started by mum!
Games:
The Kids Cooking Kits feature a gingerbread man recipe card and cookie cutter. Here are some fun games to compliment the Gingerbread man theme.
1. ‘You Can’t Catch Me, I’m the Gingerbread Man”. You can put a twist on the classic game of Red Rover by having the children on the sideline yell out “Run, run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me I’m the gingerbread man” before trying to outrun the chosen chaser.
2. “Hot Gingerbread Man”. Here is another twist on a classic game. Pre-make a gingerbread man so that it has had time to cool down. Have the children stand around in a circle and toss the “Hot, hot gingerbread man” quickly around, with music playing in the background. Turn your back to the circle so that the game is fair, and stop the music. Whoever is holding the gingerbread man when the music stops is out. The last person left is the winner.
3. “Who stole the gingerbread man” – Set up a treasure hunt where children have to solve clues for hidden gingerbread men that you have pre-made.
Cooking parties are messy fun. With the help of Kaboodle Kits for Kids, they are now easy to do, too.
Personalised Books as Gifts
Posted by: | CommentsThis week I am happy to welcome Chris from JellyBean Books as our guest blogger.
My daughter Julia is nearly four. She loves books, but especially personalised 
books. She loves being the main character in a story with fairy tale characters that she knows, as well as new characters that instantly form a place in a young imagination.
Julia has quite a few personalised books which we read together. These are her special books. She received “Santa” for her first Christmas, “Teddy Bear Land” for her first Easter, and “God Loves Me” for her baptism. She also received “Little Mermaid” from her first birthday, “Beauty and the Beast” for her second birthday, and “Batman” for her third birthday. Each book commemorates a milestone in her life (and perhaps says something about her developing personality!)
Now that she can read her own name and is starting to read other words, it has become a great game to read a personalised book together.
To further personalise Julia’s books I have pasted a photograph of her taken at each of the milestones in the front of each book. Hopefully these books will be treasured for years to come.
Julia tells me that she wants “When I Grow Up” for her next book. As she has already decided that she wants to be a builder, a poet, a magician and a princess when she grows up, I think that this book will be perfect for her fourth birthday!
Halloween Party Food Ideas
Posted by: | Comments
Would you like to try some boo-tiful Halloween treats? Witch ghoulish recipes do you like the best?
If you are having Halloween party (and let’s admit it, dressing up and going all out does sound like a lot of fun!) set the scene with some yummy and fun foods with a scary twist! Whether for kids or adults, these ideas will suit all ages and your guests will think they are truly gruesome goodies.
- Toffee Apples – Apples are a traditional Halloween food, and the old-fashioned game of bobbing for apples is still popular now. Buy or make bright red toffee apples for an eye-catching terrifying treat.
- Halloween Spider Cupcakes – make cupcakes and allow to cool. Cover with black icing and use liquorice straps to make the legs then add green smarties for eyes.
- Bat wings – simply oven bake or BBQ chicken wings marinated in soy or other sauce.
- Eyeballs – a healthy treat, but they look truly scary! Get a dried apple ring (a bit wrinkly gives a good effect), a piece of dried apricot and a sultana or dried cranberry in the middle.
- Marshmallow Ghosts and Monsters – stick some marshmallows on some lollypop sticks and freeze for 15 minutes. Dip them in white melted chocolate (white for ghosts or mummies, add green colouring for Frankenstein and orange for jack-o-lanterns), then stick them in a Styrofoam block to set. As they are hardening, use black decorating gel to draw on some spooky faces.
- Halloween themed biscuits – use a basic biscuit recipe, but use Halloween–inspired cookie cutters, such as bats or ghosts, witches hats etc.
Use your imagination and you can re-create any of your favourite party foods into monstrous munchies
Party Wear for Boys
Posted by: | CommentsDressing girls to go to a party is relatively easy – a dress, some pretty shoes, a cute hairclip and they are ready to go. Trying to decide what to dress a boy in can be a little more challenging. The first thing you need to find out is what kind of party it is.
A kid’s party at an indoor playground or informal party at someone’s house will require an outfit a little more casual. Your boy must feel comfortable and be able to run around and play in whatever party clothes he wears. A “good” t-shirt and pair of jeans or nice longer-style shorts will be fine. He will look good and be free enough in his movements to have a fun time.
If the party is a little more formal, such as an adult’s birthday party or special anniversary, it is important that your child is dressed up just as adults do for such an occasion. They need to learn to distinguish between formal and informal both in terms of their dress and their behaviour. Kids love to look special and feel important and they must look good for all those photos!
Why not go special and go designer, made affordable at Preloved Kidswear where they specialise in recycling designer childrens fashion. Have a look . You might be able to find a trendy denim jacket such as Espirit or Osh Kosh, some classic jeans by JK or Fred Bare to team with some really nice shirts by Espirit or Fred Bare. Of course, there is heaps more on the website so have a look and save yourself the headache of finding something stylish but affordable.
Now for the present….
