Tag: party kids

Easter Entertainment

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Here are some brilliant Easter themed children’s activities indoors and to give the little Kids a break from scoffing a pile of Easter Eggs!

Springtime Easter Nests

This Easter recipe is so simple for the children to make and requires no oven! The favourite bit is licking the bowl afterwards!

Ingredients:

150g Shredded Wheat (Cornflakes or Rice Crispies are just as yummy)

250g chocolate

3 tbsp golden syrup

1 bag of Mini Eggs

How to make:

  • Melt chocolate in a saucepan over a low heat

  • Stir in syrup and and rice crispies – watch out for taste testers!

  • Spoon mixture into cake cases, top with a Mini Egg (or two) and leave to cool

  • Enjoy!

 

Egg Decorating

Egg decorating is so much fun and keeps kids entertained for hours. You can use paints, glitter, stickers and anything crafty that you can get your hands on but first you need to blow out the contents of the egg. Here’s how to do it –

  • Pierce a small hole at both ends of the egg and blow into the egg (do this over a bowl) and the contents of the egg will come out.

  • If the egg appears stuck, then swirl it around and blow again.

  • Finally hold your finger over the bottom hole and place the top under running water, shake the egg and blow again.

  • Leave the egg to dry and then they’re ready to decorate.

Indoor Egg and Spoon Race

The key for this activity is to use coloured plastic eggs, or if you are heading down the more traditional route then boil the egg first so that it’s hard boiled otherwise this could end up as quite a messy children’s activity. Arrange the children at the start line with an egg and a spoon each, and when you say go the children race to the finish line without dropping their egg. If they drop it, they need to start again! You could make the race more difficult by adding obstacles!

Easter Egg Necklace

Easter Egg necklaces are so fun and easy to make and keep the little ones amused for ages. All you need is some string, plastic eggs and a grown up to make a hole through the egg so that string can be threaded through!

We hope that the children enjoy these fun child friendly activities and have a brilliant Easter despite our great British weather!

Favourite kids party games

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  1. Pin the Tail on the Donkey

This is a classic party game that is great for indoors and can be adapted for any party theme (age 4+). You can buy ready prepared kits for this game or if you would rather make your own all you need is a picture of a tailless animal along with enough tails for each child, a blindfold and some pins to attach the tails. Each child takes it in turns to pin the tail as close to the point where the tail should be, whilst blindfolded. Alternative themes include pin the jewel on the tiara for a princess party, pin the turtle for an underwater party game and pin the patch on the pirate for a pirate party.

2) The Chocolate Game

This game is great fun and a chance for children to eat as much chocolate as they possibly can with a knife and fork! Get the children to sit in a circle and in the middle place a board with a large unwrapped bar of chocolate, a knife, fork, hat, scarf, pair of gloves and a die. The die is passed around the circle and whoever rolls a six has to quickly put on the hat, scarf and gloves and try to eat the bar of chocolate with a knife and fork. Meanwhile, the rest of the circle continue rolling the die until another six is thrown and the next child then takes over. Adapt this game for younger children by using chocolate buttons instead.

3) The Doughnut Game

Another messy challenge is the doughnut eating game where children have to eat a suspended doughnut without using their hands or licking their lips! You can hang a doughnut for each child by creating washing line out of string. The child who uses their hands or licks their lips is out of the game. This game also works well with apples.

4) Apple Bobbing

Apples are also essential for the ‘bobbing’ game where children take it in turns to try and retrieve a floating apple with their teeth, with their hands tied behind their back. Fill a large tub with cold water and place enough apples for each player. Children can then either bob for the apples together or individually, but the player to get the apple first or quickest is the winner.

5) The Flour Game

Definitely one of those games that will bring inevitable chaos but it is a simple game that children aged 5 or older will love. Firstly you need to make the ‘flour cake’ by tightly compacting flour into a medium sized mixing bowl. Then turn this out on to a board and top with a large chunk of Mars bar. Each child takes it in turns to slice away sections of the flour cake ensuring the chunk of chocolate remains at the top. The child who eventually topples the chocolate from the top has to find it with their teeth.

6) Pass the Parcel

An all time favourite party game that is a must and best for ages 3 +. You can pre-prepare the parcel beforehand and ensure the present is wrapped in many layers, each layer with a sweetie attached. Sit all the children in a circle and when the music starts they pass it around until the music stops. Whoever is holding the parcel at this point must tear open a layer and the music begins again. This continues until the last layer and the child who removes this wins the prize

Everyone loves Toy Story

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Blast your children’s party off to infinity and beyond with some fun Toy Story party ideas! Whether you’re looking for Toy Story party supplies, invitations, decorations, food ideas, party favours or games, we’ve got some ideas the whole family will enjoy.

Toy Story Party Planning & Invitations

In addition to basic children’s party supplies, like plates, cups, napkins, and decorations, you may want to consider purchasing, borrowing, or renting the following items:

 

  • Cowboy hats or Woody costumes

  • Plastic space helmets, wings or Buzz Lightyear costumes

  • A moon bounce

  • A pony

  • Toy Story action figures

  • Buzz Lightyear blasters

  • A mini claw machine with toys inside

  • Arcade games like skee ball, electronic basketball, bowling, foosball, plastic darts or air hockey

  • Toy Story movies

 

Put your guests in the party spirit with custom made kids invitations for your party. Here are some fun ideas to inspire you:

 

  • Ask guests to bring their favourite toy for show and tell!

  • Include a gold coin in every invite and say they are for the Planet Pizza arcade!

    Toy Story Party favours

Thank your guests with a variety of cool party favours! To find a large variety of Woody and Buzz party favours, visit the store and click the “Party favours” tab or the “More Fun Stuff” tab. Some of the favours we have include:

 

  • Mini Slinky Dogs

  • Buzz Lightyear flyers

  • Army men

  • Toy Story 3 stickers and temporary tattoos

  • Toy Story punch balloons

  • Cowboy and cowgirl hats

  • Fun-shaped candy and lollipops

 

The circle of life

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If your kid can’t stop singing “Hakuna Matata” then it may be time to invite your favourite little animals over for a royal children’s birthday celebration! Below are some ideas for you to pounce on including suggestions for Lion King invitations, decorations, food, favours and free games.

Lion King Party Planning & Invitations

In addition to basic jungle party supplies, like plates, cups, napkins and decorations, you may want to consider purchasing, borrowing or renting the following items for your Lion King party:

 

  • The Lion King on DVD or Blu-Ray

  • The Lion King stuffed animals

  • Animal costumes such as our lion headband.

  • A petting zoo

  • An animal shaped pinata

 

If personalised invitations just aren’t your cup of tea, you can invite your favourite little animals to join your pride for the day with creative handmade invitations! Here are some Lion King invitation ideas you can make yourself or with the help of the kids.

 

  • Record a video of your child singing one of the songs from the Lion King. At the end of the song your child can say “please come to my Lion King party” along with the date and time. Copy the video onto a CD and mail to each guest.

  • Mail each invitation with a small Lion King figure or a CD of songs from the movie.

  • Dress your child in a Simba or Nala costume and take a photo. Upload the photo to your computer to make an invitation by using photo software. On the front of the invitation you can add the words “I Just Can’t Wait to Turn 5!”

    Lion King Party Decorations & Food

Turn your home into a jungle fit for a king with the following Lion King decoration ideas.

 

  • Play music from the movie in the background to add ambiance.

  • To create a jungle canopy, hang a lot of green, lime green and brown crepe paper streamers from the ceiling.

  • Use silk potted plants and flowers to decorate the floor and table of your Lion King party.

  • Place Lion King figurines and stuffed animals around the room.

  • Draw Simba on brown craft paper to hang around the room. You can use the symbol Rafiki draws on the tree as your example.

 

In addition to pizza, chicken fingers, hamburgers or hotdogs, you can add some Lion King themed food into the mix. Here are some fun food suggestions that will tame your ravenous lion cubs.

Lion King Party favours

Thank your guests with roaring party favours! Some of the favours can include:

 

  • Mini stuffed animals

  • Animal wind-up toys

  • Jungle animal stickers and temporary tattoos

  • Fun-shaped sweets

Diggerland Devon

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Have you ever wanted to drive a real JCB Digger or dumper truck? At Diggerland in Devon you can do just that. You can ride, drive and operate real, full size construction machinery which provides a truly fun day out for all the family. The park is aimed at children between 4 and 14 years of age, however visitors of all ages can enjoy a great day out! There is a comprehensive Diggerland Ride Height Chart on their website, which indicates the suitability of all the rides they offer.

Those drivers that are brave enough and comply with the height restrictions can have a go on the exclusively designed Mini Land Rovers or negotiate the course on the JCB Robots. As well as that and unique to Diggerland, visitors can ride the world famous ‘Spindizzy’, where they sit in the bucket of a JCB and be elevated and spun around. More relaxed visitors can ride on ‘Skyshuttle’, which lifts you 50 feet into the air to enjoy awe-inspiring views across the countryside.

The youngest visitors can have lots of fun driving on the Diggerland Train, with their very own steering wheel! There is also an indoor play area which will challenge them, an outdoor play area, pedal tractors and a sandpit. Some of the rides and drives require adult supervision and children who do not meet the height requirement need to be supervised as well.

Diggerland Devon has a campsite to make a weekend of it. Set in the stunning grounds of Verbeer Manor, surrounded by the beautiful, picturesque Devonshire countryside, it is adjacent to both the Diggerland Adventure Park and Diggerlakes, where families can go fishing for carp.

For an action-packed children’s birthday party, let children climb over, drive, ride and operate a variety of diggers, while all the time feeling like a real grown up in a muddy construction themed adventure park! The birthday child will have their very own dedicated Diggerland Host who will ensure they all receive the very best VIP treatment from the moment they arrive to when it is time to say goodbye!

 

Autumn adventures with kids

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Devil’s Dyke, West Sussex

Five miles north of Brighton, Devil’s Dyke offers stunning views, from a working farm nestled among rolling hills to old chalk pits, and is vibrant and colourful all year round. In autumn the hills are transformed into a breath-taking haze of purple.

Stourhead, Wiltshire

The house has some stunning interiors and interesting history, being one of the first houses built in the fashionable Palladian style. The Walled-Garden is a fabulous place where you and the kids can explore the selection of plants and statues on display. The world famous 18th century landscape garden is truly breathtaking with a beautiful lake at its centre and fascinating temples and grottoes to explore.

Moors Valley Country Park, Ringwood

Located in the New Forest, by Ashley Heath and covering 1000 acres, there is something for everyone at Moors Valley Country Park. You can walk, cycle, go on the authentic narrow-gauge steam train or even “Go Ape” on the fantastic tree top adventure! There is plenty of fun to be had in the children’s play areas and you can relax in the restaurant.

Burley, New Forest

What better way to experience autumn than by exploring this vast forest? It used to be the home of white witch Sybil Leek in the 1950’s… perfect for Halloween visits! There are plenty of walks in Burley, meaning you can take in autumn’s changing leaves, and pay a visit to their tea rooms for any rumbling tums!

Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

The gardens and estate are world famous at Stourhead. In autumn it’s a great place to see the huge range of colours on the trees and crunch through the mountains of leaves. There’s lots of fun children’s activities that the family can try including Tree Climbing Experiences.

Dinefwr Park, South Wales

Dinefwr’s historic parkland is famed for its abundance of wildlife and stunning valley views, making it a fab place to take in some stunning views during autumn. This is a great location for spotting wildlife, as well as a seventeenth-century mansion and medieval castle. There’s also a kid’s woodland play area where they can let off some steam and the adults can relax (or join in!).

Carding Mall Valley and the Shropshire Hills, Shropshire

This area, which covers around 2000 hectares, is renowned for having outstanding natural beauty and is hugely important for wildlife, as well as landscape, geology and archaeology. Follow the stream up to the dark-blue reservoir, and you will finish at the beautiful Lightspout waterfall.

The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Throughout the year these lovely gardens are full of life and colour. There’s also a magical giant treehouse that the kids will love exploring, which is one of the largest in the world! Cross the wobbly rope bridges (suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs) to find a tree tops restaurant.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan; St Austell, Cornwall

The Lost Gardens of Heligan cover over 200 acres. You can walk through the jungle where there are tropical trees, colourful plants and vibrant foliage creating an exotic oasis; it’s hard to believe you’re still in Cornwall!

 

Birthday Parties for tweens

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Birthday parties are fun at any age, but selecting a theme for a tween can present an interesting challenge. Children this age are no longer interested in “little kid” stuff, and yet they still might enjoy some young activities like going to the zoo and watching cartoons. Planning a birthday party for a tween should include age-appropriate things that are enjoyable and fun to do.

Mall Scavenger Hunt

For a girl’s party, choose activities that you know she and her friends would enjoy. For example, you can set up a scavenger hunt at a local mall. Some items to include on the hunt list might be a picture of a woman in red heels, a receipt for one pound and a stranger’s autograph. Make sure each team has an adult supervisor as a safety precaution. Top off the girls’ day with a jewelry-making party, where the girls can put themselves in custom-made necklaces and bracelets.

 

Sports Parties

If your child likes to play sports, consider centering the theme around a favoured sport. You can take the group to a party at a local sports centre. There, your child and friends will be able to play basketball, tennis and other indoor sports. Some sports centres also include a pool. Another sports theme involves taking your tween and a friend to watch their favourite team play. These fun sporty children activities sure to be something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

 

Sleepover Parties

Having friends sleep over is a fun way to spend a birthday, and you can help make the night extra special by selecting activities that you know your child is going to love. Make it a movie night by renting films. For snacks, order pizza, or cheeseburgers and hot dogs. You could also make a sundae bar for the kids to dress up their ice cream treats with a variety of sauces, sprinkles and other toppings. Other activities may include board games and rounds of karaoke.

 

Roller disco Parties

Roller disco parties can accommodate both large and small groups. Many rinks offer special birthday party packages that include group discounts for pizza, drinks and skate rental. Many skating birthday parties also feature games on skates, like a limbo contest and a variation of musical chairs in which participants must skate to a particular area of the rink when the music stops playing. For those who do not like to skate, many rinks also have an arcade. These parties allow your birthday kid to skate and socialize with friends in a fun and safe environment.

 

Birthday Party Ideas Aged 10

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As your child grows older, kids birthday ideas also need change. At the age of 10, your child has their own ideas and preferences which you need to be sensitive about and incorporate. The child may want to have a more sophisticated and less kiddy party than what he or she has had in the past. Be supportive of their ideas and offer guidance. Here are some tips for 10 year old birthday party ideas.

1. Choose the Right Location

Location is important and you need to find a location that is not only fun, but highlights the child’s personality as well. While your home is a good location, your 10 year old might want to have a different children’s party venue. The local cinema, park, café and tea house are just some of the locations you can consider. If you have a bigger budget, the zoo, skating rink and miniature golf facility are all good locations. Find out what your child wants and choose a fitting location.

Prepare Food and Birthday Cake

10 year olds are at an age when they are craving for independence and they might have their own food ideas. The party can be turned into a fun activity where the kids make their own pizzas and decorate their own cupcakes with different toppings. You can also bake cakes and have the kids involved in cutting out the shapes. Make sure that the snacks are healthy and always ask the parents about allergies.

1. Artist’s Party

If your child is interested in art, you can plan for an art themed children’s party. Have the kids create individual projects or come up with a group project. When creating the invitation, make sure that you highlight that the theme so your guests will be appropriately dressed.

Game: Pictionary is a good game which allows the kids to show off their artistic side. You can arrange the kids into groups and play artful charades.

2. Dress Up Party

Kids are always mimicking adults and characters so a dress up party is a fantastic children’s birthday party theme. These are still kids so make the party simple. You can also have the kids come to the party as different characters. This way you have less of a headache planning for foods that you can serve. Coming up with a theme makes it easier for the other mums to pick appropriate outfits for their young ones.

Game: You can come up with a game where the kids can come up  plays based on the theme of the party.

3. Movie Night

Movie night is a good idea for a birthday party. Kids this age are feeling more grown up and want to have a less childish party. Make sure that the movie is age appropriate and you can ask the child to pick the movie. Also include the movie in your invitation so the parents are aware. During the party, serve junior mints and popcorn.

Game: Movie Trivial Pursuit is a good game and you can divide the kids into two teams. Keep the game simple and select current movies as well.

4. Silly Science

If your kid is into science, you can have a science themed party. The party still needs to be cool and fun since children can get bored easily. You can come up with a chemistry theme and serve foods such as test tube sweets, Oreo molecules, smoky cupcakes, an exploding desert fountain and much more.

Game: Science Facts. Divide the kids into two groups and quiz them about fun science facts. You can also make the party more exciting by allowing the kids to wear lab coats and experiment.

 

Circus party theme

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Does your child love the circus? If so, why not have a children’s party theme based on the circus..

INVITATIONS;

Use white card and envelopes.  Use red cardboard paper to make a big top for the front of card.  Square base and canopied top.  Square base to be glued on sides and bottom, top to be left open to create a pocket for admit ticket.

DECORATIONS;

Keep decorations simple.  Use red/white crepe paper to make a canopy (big top) .  Hang paper clown faces from the ceiling.  Bright tableware can be placed around the cakes.  A lion cake and a clown cake for example.

GAMES;

Put felt tips, glitter, glue etc. around and lots of coloured card paper so kids can make their own circus/clown pictures.

A must would be to have a ‘face painter’ which can paint each kid’s face, take a picture and print each one off before the party ends and stick it in onto their party bags.

Another game could be throwing darts at different coloured balloons.  Whatever colour they pop, they get to pick from that “colour” toy pile. Each toy in different coloured bags so the kids know which one they will win from.

Then an elephant game where the kids have to hook a ring around their trunks. Each child puts on an elephant mask and tries to pick up hoops with the end of their nose.  Of course no themed children’s party is complete without the clown piñata.

PARTY BAGS;

No party is complete without party bags so fill them up with sweets, colouring pens, and candy floss bags.

 

A children’s party with a difference

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Farmer Palmers Farm Park, Poole, Dorset

£14.95 per family

This lovely farm offers so much fun for little (and big!) animal lovers alike. You’ll get to see live milking demos, pig races, have a go on a bouncy castle and more! Tickets include one child, two adults, food and drink, a tractor ride and full use of the park… which would normally retail at £35 each!

AMF Bowling, Various Locations

From £7.99 per child

What could beat a round of bowling for a fun, competitive and much loved classic children’s birthday party? Fab food is all included in the price too!

Go Ape, Various Locations

From £17 per child

Swing, zip, balance and jump your way through the trees on the Tree Top Adventure courses, suspended high above the forest floor. Younger adventurers will love Tree Top Junior, a lower and easier version.

Adventure Wonderland, Christchurch, Dorset

Various Price Packages Available

With over 30 fab rides and attractions, Adventure Wonderland offers lots of fun for everyone! Battle it out on the Battle Boats (be prepared to get wet!), go on the Dragon’s Drop Mega Slide or even go see some adorable animals in the Cuddle Corner Farm.

Mattel Play! Albert Dock, Liverpool

£15 per child

With over 13,000 square feet of themed exciting children’s entertainment, including well known characters such as Thomas and Friends, Fireman Sam and Bob the Builder, kids will love exploring this amazing play centre! Yummy party food is included.

The Rainforest Cafe, Piccadilly Circus, London

£15.50 per child

Bringing together the fascinating sights and sounds of the jungle, this fab cafe is the perfect place for a wildlife mad partygoer! See the animals brought to life, experience thunderstorms and, of course, eat lots of super yummy food too!

Go Air Trampoline Park, Ty-glas Avenue, Cardiff

£16 per person

With 60 minutes of pure trampolining fun in their open space, 40 minutes in their dedicated special party room, socks, invites AND food (you’ll get either a choice of Papa John’s pizza or a delicious deli sandwich), Go Air is the place to take your active little ones looking to blow off some steam on their big day!

Funky Monkeys, Cityside, Belfast

From £8 per child

With jungle themed play rooms, an interactive kitchen area, car track with crazy coupe cars and more, Funky Monkeys will not disappoint and is sure to provide lots of fun on your little monkey’s big day! There’s a range of party options available to suit all needs, so be sure to check out their website!

Waterworld, Newquay, Cornwall

From £17.99 per person

With a 6 lane 25m pool, tropical fun pool, 2 water flumes, cannons, tippers and a snake fountain, this is the perfect place to host your pool mad little ones party! Prices include unlimited pool use, small buffet package, free return for the birthday child, 50% off future visits for all guests and more!

Sea Life Centre, Great Yarmouth, Norwich

From £10.50 per child

Sea Life is fab for aquatic mad little ones! Price includes entrance to the centre, a dedicated VIP tour by one of the crew, hot meal, free local annual pass for the birthday child, free downloadable invites and more!