Author: kiddy@admin

Barbie Birthday Party

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Throw your Barbie girl and her friends a dream Barbie birthday party that will have everyone tickled pink. Read on for our suggestions on Barbie party invitations, decorations, favours, games, and more.

Barbie Party Planning

Of course everything needs to be pink, pink balloons, pink invitations, pink tablecloths and a pink cake.  Make sure you have Aqua playing ‘Barbie Girl’ in the background too!!

Barbie means everything girly and fun, Barbie doesn’t have a care in the world all she wants to do is look fabulous!!

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

Bouncy castle

Pink feather boas

Weather permitting paddling pool (for a fun barbie bubble bath)

Hair accessories

Bubble bath

Pink bubble gum

Barbie tiaras

Sunglasses

Makeup and nail polish

Barbie clothes and accessories

Another great cheaper idea is to let the kids play dress up (just like Barbie) Get lots of grown up ladies clothes and let the kids have fun being a mini adult.  Scarfs, hats, handbags will be a great addition to a Barbie party. If you are feeling brave why not set up a makeup station where the kids can have fun experimenting with makeup. Make sure you have lots of makeup wipe handy!!  This bit of the party will keep the guests amused for ages!!

Pokemon party

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Do your kids love to follow the adventures of Pikachu and Ash? Maybe they love to watch the TV show, play the video game, or trade the cards? Then throw them a unique party with Pokemon Party Ideas! We have ideas for everything from invitations to activities that will make it as easy as possible to plan the perfect children’s party

Your first decision will be where to host your Pokemon Party. If you host the party at your own home, you can be a little more creative with decorations, activities, and food that fit your theme. However, many choose to host the party in a different location, such as a restaurant or recreation center. For a Pokemon Party, you may want to base your location on your child’s favourite Pokemon product. If he or she loves the video game, hold the party at an arcade. If your child is more into the movie, attending the movie theatre or renting a projector and watching the movie outdoors might be more fun.

Basic party supplies include tableware, such as plates, napkins, cups, and cutlery, as well as a tablecloth, streamers, and balloons. You can stick with the basics, or add other items to fit your theme. For example, for a Pokemon Party, you may also want to consider renting or purchasing the following:

  • Pokemon Trading Cards
  • Pokemon DVD, Video Game, or Board Game
  • Pokemon Masks

Put a smile on the kids faces by sending them home with party favours that fit your theme. You could give one large favour, such as a Pokemon DVD or game, a Pokemon backpack, or movie tickets; or combine smaller favours such as wristbands, sweets, stickers, and Pokemon cards in a nice favour bag.

Minecraft party

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Minecraft has swept into the hearts and devices around the world, and you’re tasked with creating a Minecraft world in your own home for a party. But have no fear! Minecraft is a great children’s party theme, with tons of opportunities to make your Minecraft party shine. With such a blocky style, it’s easy to build your party area into a one of a kind world for your birthday gamer.

Personalise your party to show off the special day you are celebrating. Customize messages on invites, labels, activity mats, bag tags and more.

Minecraft is a world made of coloured blocks so your decor will mostly contain square-shapes. In the game, there are many different worlds you can create and explore, so getting an idea of which worlds you’d like to include in your party will help you tackle the decor aspect much easier. Whether it’s snow, desert, water, grass, or sand, you’ll find some great tips to throwing a one-of-a-kind Minecraft party in your home or outside.

  • You can coordinate solid blue, green, and black tableware and decorations with Minecraft brand elements to pull the whole look together.
  • Make a Minecraft party backdrop by taking square shaped paper plates and sticking them to the wall with sticky tack or non-damaging tape.
  • Use our stone wall backdrop to set the scene.
  • Take or make cubed cardboard boxes and cover with duct tape, construction paper, or tissue paper grass. Poke two small holes in the top and hang them from the ceiling with fishing line.

Party favours are a part of the party fun, and with a Minecraft themed party, you’ve got lots of options to choose from. You can even make it a personalised gift, with either a themed name tag or another individual character. Carry your theme through your party favours to make it feel complete.

  • Use coloured paper bags or boxes and glue or draw Creeper, Golem, or Ghast faces on them.
  • Fill smartie tubes with red, green, and blue bubblegum labelled as “TNT,” “Diamonds,” or “Slimeballs.”
  • Small blind bags of Minecraft collectables also make great favours.
  • Make your own Minecraft boxes to fill with small favour items with this simple template.
  • For older children party poppers labelled TNT make a great party favour as well!
  • Paint or tape Creeper faces on lime green buckets so your attendees can take a character from Minecraft home!

Minecraft is all about building a world, so why not include some building creativity during the party? Having the kids (and family) create a make-and-take craft is a great  way to keep the kids entertained and add one more keepsake to the pile of party favours.

  • Tape bracelets are a fun craft that’s quick and easy!
  • Pick up some inexpensive blank T-shirts and have the party attendees make their own Minecraft shirts use heat transfer vinyl or fabric paint.
  • With a little pre-planning, you can make some fantastic Minecraft creatures from simple items such as toilet paper rolls and small boxes.

Safe Face Painter parties

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Hiring Face painting at kids parties is becoming increasingly popular. Face painters of today are artists using cosmetic-grade paints and creating designs so amazing they go viral! When booking a face painter for your birthday party, corporate event, grand opening, or anything else, make sure you’re getting not only a great artist, but a safe and sanitary experience.

Do you do background checks?

If you’re dealing with an agency who hires multiple artists, ask if they do background checks.

Here’s some other questions to get the most information from your face painter;

Are your paints vegan or cruelty-free?

Kids love animals, so why not ask? An increasing number of makeup brands contain no animal products and are not tested on animals.

Can you cater to my special needs?

From autism to to non-English speakers, make sure the professional face painter you hire can accommodate to your needs.

What kind of paint do you use?

This is a “trick question.” A professional face painter will be using FDA-approved cosmetics that we call “paint.” It’s hypoallergenic and safe for kids, Make sure they don’t say craft paint, acrylic paint, or anything else not made specifically for skin.

What’s your sanitation like?

Face painters must sanitize their brushes between dips and only use one sponge per child. (Face painters often use sponges for bigger areas.)

Are you insured?

All professional face painters are insured against accidents. This is especially important for corporate parties or company events.

How do I take face paint off afterwards?

It should be pretty easy, but some brands are easier than others. The face painter you book should be able to walk you through the removal or cleanup process.

 

Outdoor Birthday party ideas

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For summer birthdays or just a fun get-together, kids love a good party! Why not take advantage of the (hopefully) summer weather and have the party outside? Get going with these 4 fun outdoor kids party ideas!

1. Animal Party

While we’re all fans of furry creatures, sometimes the thought of having them inside is a little daunting. That’s why animals are the perfect addition to an outdoor party! Does your kid dream of riding a pony or holding a hedgehog? A children’s animal party can deliver! Most petting zoos or pony parties only need a small amount of space outside, like your garden. Reptile shows are great for Jurassic Park or jungle-themed parties. The animals are usually enough to hold the kids’ attention, but animal games can be a just as fun!

2. Outdoor Movie Night Party

Would you like to give your kid a drive-in movie party under the stars? Bring it to your Garden! Your kids and their friends of all ages will love being able to pile onto blankets in the grass and watch a family-friendly flick. Rent an outdoor movie screen or make your own by stringing up a white painter’s canvas.  Set up a movie snack bar with popcorn and classic sweet choices. Set up tin buckets filled with ice and bottles of pop to bring out the nostalgic vibe. Outdoor kids party ideas don’t have to be complicated; sometimes it’s just about spending time together!

3. Kids Olympics Party

Cabin fever may be setting in after all the April showers and being stuck in school, so get the kids outside and burn off some energy! Tap into their competitive side and set up a Kids Olympics party! “Active” is the name of the game with this theme. Discus throws (using Frisbees), obstacle courses, balance beams, or hula hoop contests are great choices for a Kids Olympics Party. You can also encourage teamwork with relay races. At the end of the party, give away small prizes or even have a medal ceremony to bring the festivities to a close!

4. Just Add Water Party

Looking for a way to cool off in the summer heat? Just add water! Have your guests bring their swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen for a day of fun in the sun. Activities like Slip n’ Slides or sprinklers are easy ways to add a little H2O to your outdoor party. Water games are always a great addition to outdoor kids party ideas. If all else fails, pass out squirt guns or water balloons and let the battle begin!

Budget toddler parties

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Let us help you find budget-friendly alternatives to an over the top toddler birthday party..

  1. Dance

Toddlers love to dance and parents love to watch. Hire a Children’s Musician for a birthday celebration that will keep a smile on everyone’s face! Since it’s a Dance Party and the centre of the party is music, you don’t really need a theme. Go to your local party shop, grab some brightly-coloured party supplies and arrange them on a white table cloth to bring it all together. Give your cake a musical theme and congratulations, This party is a success!

  1. Sensory Party

If your tiny guests are in the early stages of exploring, consider throwing a fun party centered around helping them explore. Find large, shallow clear boxes at your local diy shop. Fill them with different textures and colours, such as shaving cream, sand, water, marbles…anything you can think of. Place them in an area that will be easy to clean, hand out plastic art jackets and let them go to town.

  1. Princess and Superhero Parties

There is no doubt that you have glass slippers or capes haunting your dreams right now. That is one of the many perks of toddler parenting. Even though you’re well aware that they may not remember their early years, you still want to make their birthday special. Cut your budget by making your own crafts!

  1. Circus Party

Even without elephants or acrobats, you can still bring the circus to your garden! Think small-scale entertainment and keep decorations simple with a red, white, and yellow theme. Frost your cupcakes with red and white icing and arrange them into coordinating stripes, then top them off with tiny yellow flags made from toothpicks and card stock. Create your own Puppet Show stage using cardboard boxes and paint. There will be so much to do that toddlers can run free and have a good time! Hire a Face Painter or a friendly Clown.

No matter what your budget is, it is always possible to have an extra special fun party. With a little hard work and some creativity, use your budget savvy to make the best party of the year and still have enough leftover to treat yourself. You’ll need it! Make your  kid’s birthday one you will all remember and include some birthday traditions.

Star Wars party

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Now that the Force has awakened, no doubt you have a kid in your life begging for a Star Wars birthday party! We have some great ideas to help you throw the ultimate children’s party celebration.

Spacey Decorations

Luckily, recreating “space” isn’t too complicated! Use a black tablecloth or sheet and splatter with white paint to add a galactic feel. Hang it up as a backdrop for food/cake table or for a photo booth! Lay out black plates, cups, and cutlery, and blue and black balloon bouquets as centrepieces. There are tons of resources for printable garlands.

Finally, try gathering some white paper lanterns and using gray paint to create the Death Star ship.

Fantastic Food and Drink

You can get really creative with the snacks at your Star Wars party, and this is a great opportunity to use puns. (Even if the kids don’t appreciate them, it’s fun!) Party foods like Obi Wan Kabobies, Yoda Soda, and Padawan Popcorn are all great choices. Use your clever wit and put your own sci-fi twists on old party favourites.

As for your Star Wars birthday cake, you can have one made by the pros with expert detail or you can take the DIY approach. If you opt for making your own, there are some pretty simple designs that the amateur baker can try, like this awesome BB8 cake. Cupcakes are also a great option, and you can include multiple Star Wars characters.

There are a lot of kid-friendly games that you can incorporate into a Star Wars birthday party. Create lightsabers out of pool noodles! Set up target practice with Nerf guns to take out the toilet-paper roll Stormtroopers. Add some “Jedi Training” with a galactic bean bag toss and a “laser” obstacle course made out of streamers. Or, Pin the Bun on Princess Leia, anyone?

Thomas Land at Drayton Manor

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Europe’s only Thomas Land attraction is welcoming a brand new ride this season to mark further expansion to the thriving attraction at Drayton Manor Park, Staffordshire.

James and the Red Balloon, set to delight kids, is based on the beloved Thomas and Friends character James and his naughty antics with a red hot air balloon. James will be joining the 20 other fun rides and attractions based on the popular series. Families can experience the magic of Sodor like never before as they fly up, up and away in their very own balloon.

The £250,000 ride, made by Italian manufacturer Zamperla, takes visitors on an adventure onwards and upwards to the lofty heights of 1.5 metres with a maximum speed of 5.5 RPM, a perfect ride for the whole family to enjoy. Families will get to enjoy extensive views of the park from the ride’s highest points, the perfect opportunity to plan which ride is next!

The successful multi-million pound Thomas Land was launched in 2008 and recently underwent a £2.5 million expansion, cementing its status in the hearts of UK families. The well themed attraction ensures visitors of any age are immersed in Thomas and Friends fun from the moment they step in the gates.

For those who want to plan a Thomas filled staycation, the Drayton Manor Park Hotel also extends the fun from Thomas Land into its halls with special themed rooms and a ‘Stay and Play’ package, perfect for those young and old locomotive enthusiasts!

James is the ideal ride. Fun for the whole family to enjoy and will act as a great stepping stone for those little ones looking for their next, thrilling experience and are looking forward to welcoming new and returning visitors once we open for the season.

To book tickets, or for more information about the park, visit Drayton Manor. Reduced prices are available for tickets bought in advance.

Free Kids Theatre

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The summer holidays will be fast approaching, and like us, we bet you’re stuck for ideas to keep the kids entertained without spending a fortune. Luckily for you, Kids Week 2018  are offering free tickets for kids to many top London shows this August .

Kids Week is run by Society of London Theatre and wants to encourage young people to get involved in theatre. Young theatre fans can snap up the free tickets on Tuesday 13 June at 10am, but you’ll have to be quick though as we expect the allocated tickets will sell out pretty quickly.

West End shows including 42nd Street, An American in Paris, School of Rock and The Wind in the Willows are among shows giving children free tickets this August.

They are among the 35 West End productions participating in the 20th annual Kids Week, run by the Society of London Theatre.

From August 1-31, children aged 16 or under will be able to attend participating shows for free alongside an adult paying full price.

Two additional children can attend for half price.

Other shows taking part include Matilda the Musical, Half a Sixpence, Aladdin, The Play That Goes Wrong, Wicked, Kinky Boots and Les Miserables.

Tickets will go on sale on June 13 at 10am.

A Square World

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Full House Theatre will stage dance theatre performance: A Square World this February for school children and families – for free.

A Square World is an honest, touching and quirky story of three friends and what happens when an unexpected change leaves one of them left out in the cold.

Together they decide to redefine the rules of the square world in which they live and soon discover their lives won’t be square ever again! This non-verbal story uses simple design and object manipulation to create an imaginative world where anything can happen.

This endearing and funny performance looks at the unfairness of being left out in a world designed for everyone else but yourself.

A Square Worlds has been funded by Arts Council England through the strategic touring project From Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones, headed up by Full house Theatre in partnership with Luton Culture. The project aims to enable more school children, young people and their families to see more quality family theatre in venues across the UK – including The Civic, Barnsley. Selected Barnsley schools will also be given the opportunity to have the piece performed in their school halls.

The Civic, Barnsley are offering Barnsley families the opportunity to see this high quality, fun and entertaining dance performance for free in Barnsley Central library on 15th February at 11:30am and 2:30pm. Barnsley will be the first stop in a wider UK community tour that will move on to Leighton Buzzard and Thurrock before touring schools throughout Bedfordshire with schools performances also scheduled for Bury St Edmunds, Barnsley and Thurrock.