Author: kiddy@admin

Let it go…

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A Frozen Birthday Party is what most little girls want at the moment and were are here to help with inspiration on how to decorate your home or children’s party venue to make it that extra bit special.

Costumed characters are always great fun, these characters call also entertain the children whilst you get on organising the food.

Make sure you have tablecloths that look ‘Frozen’ for example you could have silver foil laid out with blue plates and don’t forget to have plenty of ice in jugs for decoration to really make it look authentic, or if your budget allows why not hire an Ice Sculpture for your centrepiece.

If you know of any singers in the family or friends, then they could sing a few ‘Frozen songs’ but if you don’t then why not hire a solo singer preferably one that can be Elsa or Ana for a few hours.

It’s all about the ‘wow’ factor when your little girl walks into the venue you’ve booked, she and her friends want to be transported into the world of ‘Frozen’.

Fairy lights can transform any dull church hall into something magical if it’s done in the right way. Battery powered tea lights are also very effective and safer!!

Tissue paper pompoms, honeycomb balls and paper rosettes also offer a great cost-effective solution to decorating any space. They pack the wow factor without much effort or cost.

Why not hire or make a Sledge where a photo opportunity would be great keepsake for all your guests.

​Another cool idea is to use white Christmas lights you may already have at home to create the “Frozen” atmosphere. And don’t forget the cute goodie bags or packaging to match your theme!”

Winter fun

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A winter weekend doesn’t need to be boring.  There are always some fun things to do with children, bowling, castles and crafts, there’s so much to explore!!

1.Find Wonderfully Wintery Spiderwebs

Go outdoors and find a frosty spiders web… then have a go at making your own using PVA glue and silver glitter!

2. Make Your Own Puppet Show

Why not have a go at making your very own puppet theatre? Better yet, use up your leftover Christmas cardboard to get super crafty and creative!

3. Make a Bird Feeder

Create a bird feeder using an empty yoghurt pot, lard and birdseed, and then take pictures of the birds as they feed in your garden!

4. Make Your Own Puzzle

Create your own puzzles for some family fun! Stick a family photo, or a child drawn picture, to card and cut it into shapes.

5. Go Bowling

As  a much loved and traditional family activity, bowling is the perfect place for some lighthearted competitive fun!

6. Explore a Castle

Go to a castle and be a knight. Don’t forget to make a shield out of card and foil before you go!

7. Create Shell Pictures

Collect shells and create fun pictures on the beach, or in the forest with stones and twigs!

Places to eat with kids

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Hangar Number 4, Warrington

This restaurant is all aviation themed! It’s actually located inside an old railway arch and has part of a plane inside! Your food is delivered on an airline trolley and kids meals are even served on airline trays. We hear that the food is really tasty!

Rainforest Café, London

Enjoy a meal at this restaurant surrounded by the rainforest and some really wild creatures. The sights and sounds of the rainforest make you feel as if you’re in the Amazon -there’s moving animatronic animals, waterfalls and the occasional thunderstorm! You can tuck into a huge range of international cuisine.

Inamo, London

At this Japanese themed restaurant you can order your food from the interactive menu that’s projected onto your table! Kids can enjoy a delicious bento box and during the summer holidays there are sushi making classes that they can join

The Library Restaurant, Norwich

This superb restaurant is located in Norwich old library. The dramatic interior has booked lined walls, lots of original features and lots of squishy sofas. You can enjoy a feast of brasserie style meals, whilst admiring the beautiful surroundings

Ed’s Diner, Countrywide

Experience what American diners would have been like in the 1950s in one of these funky restaurants. Settle yourselves into one of the booths and enjoy the retro atmosphere, complete with the 1950’s music playing from a jukebox. Pick from a range of retro burger kids meals and wash them down with a milkshake made with real ice cream.

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!

A rollercoaster of a ride

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Who doesn’t love roller coasters! Too often age and height restrictions prevent our little thrill seekers from the excitement and fun of twists, drops and loops. So here is a list of the best fun child friendly coasters aimed at keeping under 8’s happy!

The Rattlesnake – Chessington World of Adventures

This is a rattling rollercoaster ride and you’ll be in hysterics as you snake your way through the sharp turns, inclines and sudden dips of the old Mexican tin mine. Life sure has its ups and downs for little kids!

Twistosaurus – Flamingo Land, Yorkshire

This sensational spinning coaster creates rip-roaring, rotating fun. With its eye-catching dinosaur egg theme, Twistosaurus adds a fun new dimension to Flamingo Land’s extensive collection of family rides.

Nickelodeon Streak – Blackpool Pleasure Beach

This is one for the slightly taller under 8’s.  A spine-tingling ride in a sleek vehicle, this classic wooden coaster streaks down a super fast track is bound to be a highlight of your little one’s day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach!

Cat-o-pillar Coaster – Paultons Park, Hampshire

This purr-fect family coaster is perfect for your little daredevils. With swoops and loops around up to a height of 10 metres, it’s an ideal Fun introductory coaster for the under 8’s. Be aware the experience you have by sitting at the back is MUCH scarier for little ones than the front!!!

Wild Bills Runaway Train – Adventure Wonderland, Bournemouth

Bill’s wild and so will you be, with the kids delight and excitement on this runaway train ride as it dips and dives carrying its brave passengers twice round a track of loops and swoops. It’s a big screaming, arm waving, runawaying, swaying adventure!

Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure – Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Dive into CBeebies Land and join Captain Barnacles and crew as The Octonauts head on a Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure!

The Flying Fish – Thorpe Park, Surrey

Experience a fun, fast, first-time roller coaster with a trip on Flying Fish. Now a firm Family favourite at the park, Flying Fish is the perfect ride for young thrill seekers to earn their adrenaline apprenticeship.

Whilst most of the coasters we recommend will be suitable for under 8’s of all sizes, there are some for which a minimum height restrictions will apply. So be sure to check to avoid disappointment. All the coaster venues here have many rides for the under 8’s so we’re sure you will have an awesome day out, wherever you decide to go!

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

Simple kids party games

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Throwing a kids’ birthday party? We’ve rounded up some classic kids party games and given them a twist to make them even more fun!

Kids party game trends come and go, but if you ask us, the traditional ones never go out of style. Whether it’s running around outside playing sardines, bashing a pinata to reveal the stash of Haribo hidden inside, or dressing up in costumes and singing their heart out on a couple of plastic microphones, we defy you to find any kids that won’t get on board with at least a handful of these activities.

All of these game ideas require minimal set up, and you won’t have to break the bank to buy expensive prizes or treats. There’s something for all ages – we’ve road-tested these on quite a few mini masterminds, and found that most of them go down just as well with 13 years olds as they do with 3 year olds too!

And the best thing? You probably played these kids party games as a child, so after a quick jog of the memory, you’ll be fully equipped to lead a round of musical bumps and bob for apples with the best of them. Who knows, maybe the other mums and dads will even join in and wander down memory lane as well?

You’ve got enough to be thinking about when it comes to party planning, with the cake, the invites and the party bags, to name just a few, so let us take the hard work out of the games.

 

Here are some of the best cheap, easy and fun kids party game options we know… now the only decision will be whittling it down to your favourites!

Family days out in the South West

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Here we’ve rounded-up our top 10 favourite fun things to do in South West England with the family….

  1. Avon Valley Adventure Wildlife Park, Bristol

Come rain or shine, this adventure park is sure to hit the spot. With a range of children’s activities, from paddle-boarding, archery, a maze, trampolines, quad bikes, fishing and so much more you’ll have to keep coming back just to make sure you’ve tried everything! With rare and exotic animals as well as a falconry display, great days out have never been more effortless!

Best for: Choice

  1. Head4Heights, Cirencester

For those with a brave streak, check out this amazing adventure centre. Climb the totem-pole and freefall to the ground, or attempt the stairway to heaven and make the leap of faith back down to earth. Not for the small of heart, this day will have your children feeling like a true Indiana Jones. Test your limits on this adrenaline and fun-fuelled day suitable from age 5 and upward.

Best for: Thrills!

  1. Eden Project, St Austell

The Eden Project is an absolute must if you’re in the area. With huge iconic greenhouses and thousands of species of plants there is so much to see and do. Find out who WEEE Man is, take a picture with the giant bee, walk in the rainforest and ride England’s longest zip wire. This will be a day out with nature like no other. Make sure you book online for a 10% discount.

Best for: Making fun and education go together

Magicland, Cirencester

Gloucestershire’s largest indoor soft play area is perfect for younger children. Your kids can let off steam in the huge structure, while a cannon shoots foam balls around! With ball-rivers, zip slides, log ramps and a football pitch there’s plenty of space for everyone. Under 4’s and under 18 months also have special play areas. Once they’re all tired out, put them in Story Corner with interactive screens.

They also run regular special events so double check before you go!

Best for: Little ones

 

No easy task

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Any parent who has ever organised a bash knows that there’s so much to consider – the invitations, the venue, the food, the decorations, the party bags – and that’s before you’ve even thought about how to keep the crowds amused.

If you’re looking for kids party entertainment ideas and don’t have a clue where to start, don’t panic: we’ve done some research, and come up with a list of the types of kids’ party entertainers that have been the biggest hits with our lot – from real life Elsa and Annas, to puppeteers worthy of a much bigger stage.

There’s something to match every party theme and budget, as well as options that will suit a variety of age groups. Now your only task will be whittling it down to just one!

We’ll start with an oldie but a goodie. No one is not wowed by an animated performer pulling doves out of their pockets. Little ones will appreciate simpler tricks and a shorter show, as their attention spans tend to wane, where as older groups will love anything from card tricks to close-up magic. When you call, ask if they’ll include the birthday boy or girl in their big finale – they’ll love being the star of the show.

Animal safari

Got an animal-mad bunch on your hands? There are services across the country that will bring mammals, birds and reptiles to your bash for the kids to meet and greet. Typical animals include rabbits and guinea pigs, chinchillas, parrots, owls, and lizards, but do some research and see if there’s anything more unusual in your vicinity.

Princesses

You’ve probably seen the influx of Elsa and Anna characters floating around the party circuit recently, but they’re still a big hit in our houses, and you don’t have to limit yourself to just another rousing chorus of ‘Love is an Open Door’. There are entertainers who can take on all sorts of princess characters, from Cinderella to Thumbelina, and hopefully they’ll teach the kids manners worthy of royalty too.

Clowns or circus performers

Clowns have come a long way from the slightly sinister models of our childhoods. These days, they’re bright and fun, although they’re still pulling the same old tricks. If you want a more modern take, see whether there are any circus performers that offer party deals in your area – fire breathers, unicyclists and gymnasts all go down well, and some of them will even teach the guests some of their skills too.

Superheroes

Whether your kid is obsessed with Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman or just simply looks smashing in a cape, a superhero party is never going to disappoint. Bonus points if your chosen entertainer has an actual Batmobile, or can throw realistic Spiderman webs from their wrists.

Puppet shows are mostly aimed at younger parties, and for those, they work like a dream – there won’t be a peep for the assigned time slot, leaving you free to set up the buffet or wrap the pass the parcel. Punch and Judy is a classic, but there’s plenty of other, really creative versions on offer, so a unique idea that they’ve never seen before might be the way to go!

Entertain the kids when its raining

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It seems as soon as we get excited about the sunshine and make ‘outdoorsy’ plans, the rain clouds arrive! If you’re left wondering what on earth to do with the kids, we’ve come up with some great games fun to play in the comfort of your own home to keep kids of all ages entertained.

Play ‘Sardines’ – a twist on the traditional hide and seek

You’ll need at least four players for this game with one person hiding and the other players searching for the hider. When a player finds their friend hiding, they then need to hide with that player staying where they are until another player finds them and so on. The fun will continue until the last person finds everyone at which point everyone will be squashed like – sardines!

Board games

No one can get board of board games, ditch electronic games and play with traditional board games. Snakes and Ladders, Guess Who, Monopoly…which games keep your kids entertained?

Indoor bowling

This game provides hours of fun for children (and adults) and can even be as competitive as you like You can either buy an indoor bowling set or use empty water bottles set up in a line and a soft ball. Don’t forget – place some tape as a starting line so avoid any cheating!

Dressing up stories

Get the kids using their imaginations and write a story – it could simply be their favourite fairy tale changed! They then have to act out their stories complete with costumes and props. Of course, you’ll need to put your acting skills to the test and join in with them!

Alphabet fishing

A fun and easy way to develop letter recognition and early reading skills, and even better it’s perfect for those rainy days! All you need are some magnetic letters, sticks or chopsticks, string, and paper clips. Tie the paper clips to your string and then tie (or glue) your string to your stick. Pour the magnetic letters into a big bowl…and let the children start fishing! The ‘catch of the day’ is the kids need to make words with the letters they hook out

Build a den

Drape blankets and sheets over chairs to make a cosy den for the kids. They can read books, play games and even nap (if you’re lucky!) however the challenge may be coaxing them out of their secret fort at teatime!

It seems as soon as we get excited about the sunshine and make ‘outdoorsy’ plans, the rain clouds arrive! If you’re left wondering what on earth to do with the kids, we’ve come up with some great games fun to play in the comfort of your own home to keep kids of all ages entertained.