TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF PARTY PLANNING

The key is to forward plan! Time passes fast so remember to start organising well in advance so you have chance to do exactly as you want to do….make it special because childhood years pass quickly!

Pass the Parcel  *  Musical chairs   *  Musical Statues  *  Musical Bumps

Squeak Piggy Squeak  *  Farmers in his Den  *  Sleeping Lions

Simon Says  *  Bingo  *  Pin the Tail on the Donkey  *  Find the Treasure

Chocolate Game - this is a favourite of our family.  A simple but fun and noisy game.

You need a large bar of chocolate, a hat, scarf and gloves, a knife and fork, a dice and it's pot.

On a table lay out the unwrapped chocolate bar, and put hat, scarf and gloves, knife and fork besides it. At the end of the table lay out the dice.  Arrange a line of players in front of the table, the first person goes to the table and keeps rolling the dice until a six is thrown!  Then the race is on, they have to put on the hat, scarf and gloves before picking up the knife and fork, they then struggle to get the wrapper off the chocolate first before being able to start to break off the chocolate with the knife and fork... no hands or other fingers allowed!    They need to be fast though, as whilst they were dressing the next player in the line has started to roll the dice, as soon as they roll a six, off come the hat, scarf and gloves and that player starts to put them on before the process continues.  As the player takes off the hat etc goes to the back of the line, the race is on to see if they are going to get another turn before the chocolate has been eaten!   So fast paced this game, that players will perhaps not be able to get all the hat, scarf and gloves on before they have to stake them off....Giggles and laughter abound, this game is a hit with both kids and adults.... give it a try and e-mail us to let us know what sort of fun you had!

Creative Ideas - Crafty parties are loved by all... the kids stay occupied and they take home a lovely memento from the party...

Let them make a windmill.... a face mask.... a hat ... a door hanger .... a bracelet... or a book mark !

Paint a pot  ... trinket box ....   treasure chest ....mug ....egg cup  or bird house!

Colouring activites for younger children are excellent.... everyone loves drawing!

Remember paints can be messy, make sure you provide aprons and that the paint is washable... perhaps suggest older clothes to be worn so no one damages their best party clothes!

SINGING AND DANCING

An excellent idea as all kids love to dance.... and older kids love to sing!

Put on a CD and get the other adults to help with all the actions to those cheesy old songs we adults love to hate!  For older children, if you've got a karaoke player ....push play and watch all the "stars" come out to perform!

PINATAS - a party favourite!

These are always a hit...literally!   Fill your pinata with sweets and novelties... let the kids take turns at hitting the pinata.... who will break the casing to allow the sweets and novelties to spill onto the floor?   Great Fun and they can add to the theming of your party.... look at the selection we have on offer... we will even send them out ready filled!

Lastly, don't forget THE BIRTHDAY CAKE, it always take centre stage when lit...

There are lots of designs from supermarkets and specialist bakers.... ibut f you have time, there is nothing more satisfying that making your childs own cake... and tasting it once the candles have been blown out!

There are many books available giving simple to more complex templates for birthday cakes.... if you're making our own and it's not a surprise, why not let the kids help decorate it with sweets....but remember to buy a few more than you need because there are always a few that "go missing"  before making the top of the cake!

 We hope this section has given you at least one idea.... even if it's just that brilliant chocolate game!

Planning a child’s special birthday party should be a memorable event… however, it can become very stressful with so many things to do and organise!