Category: Children

Party in the Park

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So you’ve decided not to have a group of kids tear up your house this year by having your kids birthday party at a local park. Good move, but you’ve still got to come through with fun activities and entertainment for you child and his energetic friends. A mix of timeless children’s games, outdoor activities, simple craft projects, and making safety a top priority are the keys to a successful park party.

Classic Kiddie Games

Have the kids play those age-old outdoor games you remember playing as a kid. Play circle games, such as “Duck, Duck, Goose,” or “Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?”. Being at a park means there is plenty of room to run around without fear of the kids running into anything. For 2- or 3-year-olds, lead them in simple games like “Ring Around the Roses,” or “London Bridge.” With a battery-operated CD player, you can have all the kids play musical statues. Other classic games for preschoolers include, “Red Light, Green Light,” where the kids run on green and must freeze on red; and “Red Rover,” where they have to run from one side of a designated area to another without getting captured. Keep it non-competitive to avoid tears and tantrums by keeping everyone in the group even when they get caught.

Encourage Outdoor Children’s Activities

Bring an old sheet from home to play parachute with the kids. You will need a few other parents to help you hold the corners. Have the children fill in between the adults, holding onto a piece of the sheet. Lift up the sheet and let the kids run inside to sit under it as the “parachute” comes back down to earth. When they get bored with the parachute, break out the bubbles. Bring non-toxic bubble solution, large baking pans to pour it in, and kid-friendly over-sized bubble wands with soft handles. You can also have the kids toss oversized, lightweight bouncy balls to one another. If there is a sandbox at the park, hide a few soft, rubber toys in the sand. Give toddlers little plastic shovels to find the buried “treasure.”

Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts are an ideal way to keep the kids out of your hair while you are setting up the food or birthday cake. Spread a huge sheet of craft paper on a picnic table. The kids can gather around and draw pictures anywhere on the sheet using non-toxic crayons. You could also write out the birthday child’s name in bubble letters and have the kids colour them in.

Avoid soft play

Bouncy castles are popular for outdoor children’s birthday parties, but when used improperly, can lead to serious child injuries, according to a study on inflatable bouncing injuries encourages parents to keep their children under 6 years old away from bouncy castles. Save yourself and the other parents some anxiety by skipping out on one for a toddler or preschool birthday party. Plenty of other activities will keep the kids entertained. Small, inflatable slides that have just two or three steps and a short slide can present an alternative.

The Roman Baths

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Plan a family visit to the Roman Baths and explore this amazing historic site in Bath, featuring the remains of one of the finest spas of the ancient world and temple ruins.

Family days out activity trails for different age groups can be collected at reception and include the Roman Baths Trail for under 7s and the Meet the Romans Trail for older children. Audio guides help bring the complex to life, available in eight languages, with one specially for children narrated by

Michael Rosen.

Costumed Roman characters are quite likely to stop and talk to visitors, giving insight into Roman Britain. You might meet a Roman lady and a slave girl, a Roman soldier and armourer, a priest, travelling merchant or two stonemasons during your day out.

Baby carriers are free to borrow and baby changing facilities are available. During organised school trips children can handle original Roman material. From 2019 the Archway Project will include a new Learning Centre.

The Roman Baths are also an amazing party venue at weekends for children aged 6-11 years with party packages including activities such as dressing up as Romans, finding hidden treasure in sand containers and exploring secret tunnels.

The Great Bath is the centre of the complex and lies below street level. From the Terrace festooned with Victorian statues of Roman emperors and governors of Britain, visitors have a wonderful view of the Great Bath.

Another feature is the Sacred Spring where mineral-rich water at a temperature of 46˚C rises each day, as it has for thousands of years. Objects were thrown into the Spring as offerings to the goddess, including thousands of Roman coins.

A Family Ticket is for two adults and up to four children. A Saver family ticket to the Roman Baths, Fashion Museum and Victoria Art Gallery is also available.

 

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!

 

Woburn Safari Park

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Enjoy a safari adventure in over 300 acres of beautiful parkland at Woburn Safari Park – home to more than 1,000 wild animals. Take unlimited repeat circuits of the Road Safari, before you continue your journey in Animal Encounters and enjoy lots of free children’s activities in the leisure area. You’ll learn all about the wild residents with fascinating keeper talks and demonstration and there are plenty of fun activities to keep kids amused.

Meet adorable Asian elephant calf Tarli, spot the Amur tiger cub siblings Mishka and Milashki in Kingdom of the Carnivores and of course, don’t miss the three little bears exploring their new home and showing off their climbing skills in the trees! You’ll also get up close to giraffe, monkeys, lions, antelope and rhino on your adventure through the Road Safari.

The Foot Safari is home to a host of animals including a friendly mob of meerkats, lemurs, squirrel monkeys, sea lions, penguins, birds of prey and recent additions; bush dogs and agouti. Peddle across Swan Lake on a swan boat, take the Great Woburn Railway through the deer paddocks and let the kids burn off some energy in the indoor play area, the Mammoth Play Ark.

On offer in the Park also is a Go Ape Tree Top Adventure Experience (for children 10+ and minimum height of 1.4 metres and a separate charge applies). It will certainly be a day to remember.

 

Free family days out

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The Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow

Inside this gallery and museum there are many collections to inspire and educate the kids. Spread out over 22 themed galleries with over 8,000 objects, you will see fine art, natural history and world cultures. .

Library of Birmingham

This modern library, located in Centenary Square, has 10 floors with over 400,000 books just waiting to be explored, as well as a studio theatre and gardens… perfect for your little bookworms! Outside you’ll find the Amphitheatre, two outdoor terraces, children’s spaces and a panoramic viewing gallery. .

National Railway Museum, Yorkshire

With a collection of over a million objects, covering over 200 years of history, you and your family will be spoilt for choice! You’ll get to see giant halls full of engines and railway legends and kids can let off steam in the outdoor play area. You’ll also get to enjoy lively science shows, take a ride on the miniature railway or learn through the interactive exhibits! .

House of Marbles; Bovey Tracey, Devon

This working glass and games factory is open for people to visit. You can see some lass being made, or visit the games museum where you can see games from years gone by. On dry days you can also go outdoors and play skittles, chess, giant Jericho or even marbles in the Games Garden. .

Blakemere Village, Northwich, Cheshire

There are over 30 shops to be discovered here as well as plenty of activities for adults and children alike. The Barnaby’s Play Barn is a play area where the kids can let off some steam, with a separate area for the under 3s, and there are craft activities that all the family can join in.

Riverwatch Aquariums, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

If you’re little one is aquatic mad, this is the perfect day out! There are many different displays, including The Louch, a Rockpool, Deep Sea and Freshwater Environment. You’ll see aquatic animals such as starfish, lobster, crabs, eels, rays and some wonderful native species. .

Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall, Wales

Pistyll Rhaeadr is an enchanting waterfall in the Berwyn Mountains, just inside Wales. It is the highest waterfall in the UK as the water plummets 240ft from top to bottom. With many visitors returning again and again it is one of the most loved pieces of nature you could set your eyes on. It is sure to give you and your family a peaceful and tranquil day out. .

Corris Craft Centre, Machnlleth

Bring your little budding artists along to paint some pottery, dip candles, craft herbals or even make a unique bar of chocolate! For the kids there’s a small children’s play area so they can let off some steam, plus there’s a treasure hunt that they can follow around the centre. You can also see a variety of designers making their crafts in their studios! .

 

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.

 

5 yr old party ideas

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Around the age of 5-6 is when kids start to reveal their true personalities. They absorb so much information, are super opinionated and they know what they want. It’s usually the year they transition into Reception and go from being a “baby” to a little person with attitude. When it’s time to celebrate their birthday, now is when you can include them in the party plans to make their birthday party one they will talk about for years.
Pizza Party

 

Celebrate the birthday at school by offering to bring in pizza for your child’s classroom. Replacing ham and cheese sandwiches with pizza will make you the superhero of the day, and your child will enjoy the excitement of having you appear for lunch. Bring balloons and a cake to accompany your special visit. Use this in-class party to kick start the birthday bash over the weekend

Pyjama parties

 

Pyjama parties at this age are full of energy and fun and you’re likely to be worn out after a night of rambunctious 6-year-olds. Invite a few friends from your child’s class over for a sleepover. Set up plenty of arts and crafts activities for the kids to move from station to station as they are likely to bore easily. Use one station for colouring and creating, another for watching a show or movie and another for something active like pavement chalk writing, blowing bubbles or making water balloons.
Museum Madness
Explore a museum for an afternoon children’s entertainment. Book one of your local museum’s kids’ party packages to allow the kids to play and learn about the exhibits. Most museums that are equipped for children’s parties and entertainment and also include an activity room where the kids can draw, color or paint and may include a storyteller to discuss some of the cool displays in detail. Since these are the growing stages of the inquisitive years, this is a great opportunity for the kids to ask questions about what they are shown to get a better understanding of what makes things work.
Talent Show
Host a talent show for the kids to showcase their favourite talents. No matter if it’s singing, dancing or creating a masterpiece, allow each kid a chance in the spotlight. End your talent portion by bringing out the ice cream and cake and allow everyone to salute the birthday boy or girl before the party ends.

 

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.

 

Halloween Party Games

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These halloween games have become very traditional over years, but if you are stuck for fun ideas for the kids and all the family to play, then here are some ideas..

Apple Bobbing

A large bowl of water is placed on the floor (a baby bath is ideal for this if you have one). Without using their hands, they have to try and lift an apple out of the water using their teeth. Children can wear aprons if you have them and spread plenty of newspaper over the floor as this can get quite messy!

Dangling Doughnuts

Tie some doughnuts with holes in the centre using a length of elastic or string and hang them from a pole in a row. Without using their hands AND without licking their lips, the kids must munch through their doughnut. The first to eat the whole doughnut is the winner.

Watch out – this game can get quite messy!

Witches’ Cauldron

Fill a bowl or ‘cauldron’ with items that represent different body parts. Put things like peeled grapes in the box and pretend they are feeling eyeballs, linked sausages for intestines, cauliflower for brains, a balloon filled with water for a heart, liquorice laces for veins or jelly for liver.

Get the kids to sit blindfolded in a circle and take it in turns to pull out each item and guess what it is.

Pumpkin Lanterns

To create a true kids Halloween atmosphere you really need a pumpkin lantern, put it near a window or outside your front door or have it as centerpiece on your table. They are easy to make and pumpkins are cheap and plentiful at this time of year.

Mummy Wrap

Take your party and divide them into partners. You will need a lot of toilet paper. One person will be the mummy, and the other will be the wrapper. The object of the game is for the wrapper to cover toilet paper around his or her mummy, including their arms which are held out. The winner is the first person to be wrapped like a mummy in toilet paper.