Category: Ideas

Top attractions to take your children in the holidays

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There are some amazing attractions around the country ranging from historic buildings to zoo and gardens.  So if you are planning to visit somewhere this summer and have a little money in your pocket, where are the top paid visitor attractions around England?  Here we look at the top 10 for children’s entertainment and fun family days out.

Tower of London

The historic castle standing on the banks of the River Thames has been one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country for generations.  It stands within the Tower Hamlets borough of London and was originally founded in 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest.  It is also home to the Crown Jewels, the queen’s famous collection of jewellery and gems.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is the Gothic abbey church within the City of Westminster and to the west of the Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament.  It is the traditional coronation and burial places of the British royalty.

St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of London and stands on Ludgate Hill, the highest part of the City of London.  It is dedicated to Paul the Apostle and the originally church was founded back in AD604.  The current building was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the late 17th century in English Baroque style following the Great Fire of London.

Flamingo Land Theme Park & Zoo

Flamingo Land combines a theme park, zoo and resort near the village of Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire.  Major attractions include Hero, a suspended flying rollercoaster and Pterodactyl, a vertical swing.  In the zoo part are animals as diverse as camels, zebras, giraffes, parrots and meerkats.

Windermere Lake Cruises, Bowness

Windermere is the largest lake in the Lake District and the Lake Cruises are a great way to see the most of it.  There are a range of cruises running from 45 minutes in length to three hours and even an all-day option.

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is named as the best zoo in the UK and the 7th best in the world and is also one of the largest zoos in the country.  There are over 400 species to be seen and in excess of 12,000 animals so something for all tastes from cute and cuddly to creepy crawlies.  The zoo is the most visited wildlife attraction in Britain with over 1.4 million visitors every year.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is an international important botanic research and education institution.  Based in Kew, in Richmond-upon-Thames, the famous gardens have much to see but has a serious purpose as well.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is arguably the most recognisable prehistoric monument in the world and is found 8 miles north of Salisbury in Wiltshire.  The standing stones are part of a larger complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments including burial mounds and is believed to date from 3000BC onwards.

ZSL London Zoo

ZSL London Zoo is the oldest scientific zoo in the world and opened in 1828 to study animals.  Today there are some 800 species represented amongst the 19,000 animals who call the zoo home, meaning it is one of the largest collections in the UK.  It is separated across a number of special sections including the Gorilla Kingdom and the Rainforest Life.

Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, is the meeting place of both houses of the British parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords.  It stands on the north bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster, beside Westminster Abbey.  At one end is the iconic clock tower nicknamed Big Ben.

A guide to family surfing

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When someone starts talking about surfing, the mind turns to California or Hawaii with huge waves and plenty of sunshine.  But the truth is, here in the UK we have some excellent spots for a surfing family fun day out and the weather does cooperate sometimes – but even when it doesn’t this can be a good thing!

The Equipment – Boards and Wetsuits

The first and most crucial part of your surfing equipment is the surfboard.  There are three main types of board but only two of these are suitable for beginners.  Foam boards tend to be the most forgiving and are ideal to learn the basics such as standing up.  Most surfing experts will recommend a pop out board for beginners.  These are made from plastic and come in many shapes and sizes – when it comes to selecting your first one, make sure you go big.  The bigger the board, the more volume it has to help surfers stabilise so boards that are 8-9 feet for an adult beginner are ideal.  Smaller boards may look cool under the arm but are harder to paddle and there’s less chance you will catch a wave with one.

The wetsuit is the next crucial piece of equipment when surfing in UK waters if you want to retain feeling to your extremities.  Getting the correct fit of wetsuit is very important and seeking out a local supplier is the best bet – get expert advice to make sure you get the right wetsuit for everyone is the best idea and saves money as it ensures you get the right suit from the start.

Other important start up equipment includes a leash or leg rope is also useful to have as this attaches from the board to your ankle and means you don’t lose your board when you fall off.   Wax is also useful to have if you are aiming to spend any time on the board and ignore all those ideas that it goes on the bottom of the board to make it go faster.  The idea of wax is to go on the top of the board for traction.  Select a wax designed for cool or cold waters so that it responds correctly to the British seas.

Preparing to Surf – the Weather and the Tides

Once you have your equipment, then you are ready to surf, right?  Wrong because the next step is to understand a little about waves, wind and tides as well as selecting where is the right place to go and start.

All beaches have waves but some will be delicate and dainty and others will be huge and monstrous.  The weather has a big impact on the type of waves that hit the beach and a windy day might sound great but is better for kite flying than surfing.  Understanding the tide at the beach you have chosen will also help, particularly if there are areas of rocks that need to be avoided.  Most beaches will have signs on them with relevant information on it as well as on websites and the Met Office are always good for an idea on weather conditions.

When choosing a beach also factor in the safety aspect.  Look for beaches that have lifeguard cover in case anything goes wrong and even better, if there is a surf school based there you can either join in or at least know it is good spot to try out.  The RNLI also work hard keeping an eye on everyone in the water and their website lists all beaches that have their lifeguards on them.

Where can you learn to surf?

If you really aren’t certain that you or the kids will take to surfing, then getting a few surfing lessons can be a great option.  There are hundreds of surf schools around the country and most will include the basic equipment needed to start out so people don’t need to spend money on equipment until they have tried the sport.  Basic surfing skills can be learnt in as little as a day but a series of lessons will allow a fuller sense of the sport and let kids see if it is ‘the one’ for them.

If jumping into the sea to try out surfing is a little intimidating for anyone, then there are also a few indoor surf centres around located across the UK.  If you live in Wales or planning to visit Wales during the Summer Holidays you could consider the Cardiff International White Water centre, which has a special surf machine for complete beginners to try as well as experienced surfers to practise when the weather is bad. Indoor Surfing can also be carried out at the LC at Swansea.

Lake surfing is a modern creation and a great example is Surf Snowdonia, a fresh water lagoon the length of six football pitches with a two-metre-high barrelling wave running from the centre to the ends. A great place to learn to Surf if you are a little intimidated by the Sea!

Popular Surf Beaches

Whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales there are plenty of beaches where you can go Surfing. The most popular Surf Beaches are;

Longsands Bay, Tynemouth

Ideal for beginner to expert level, the best swell direction is coming from the northeast.  There are lifeguards on duty in summer and both lessons and board hire can be arranged at the beach.

Saltburn-on-Sea, North Yorkshire

Good for intermediates but also fine for beginners, the surf is generally fairly mellow either side of the pier and there are excellent reefs as well.

Newgale, Pembrokeshire

Fine for beginners but intermediate onwards only in big swells.  There is a surf shop on the beach offering equipment hire and lessons as well as daily surf reports and there are rarely crowd problems here.

Watergate Bay, Cornwall

Suitable for beginners through to experts, the beach has been created as a ‘ski resort on the beach’ with surfing just one of the lessons on offer.  It has been the premier water sports spot in Cornwall since the 1960s so can get a little crowded.

Pease Bay, Borders

Great for beginners and one of the new hotspots of surfing in Scotland.  There are good breaks and a lovely beach as well as challenges for more experienced surfing.  There is also a surf shop offering hire and lessons nearby.

Tips

There is a certain etiquette when surfing and it is important to learn this before starting on the waves to avoid offending anyone.  Many beaches will even post a list of what is expected from those using the beach and while they are mostly common sense, knowing who has right of way is a good one to get to know!

School Holiday changes

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It can be hard to keep track of everything as a parent whilst trying to plan activities with the kids so here is a roundup of the big recent stories.

Lincolnshire breaks the mould

Two schools in Lincolnshire have become the first to change from the traditional summer term.  White’s Wood and Mercer’s Wood Primary Academies in Gainsborough have confirmed that when the school term ended last week, their children would have a four-week holiday instead of the normal six weeks.  Their opinion is that this will both help with learning and allow parents to take their kids on holidays during off-peak times.

The government welcomes the change and said it was aiming for all schools to be able to set their own term dates in the near future.  This is also a move to help combat the fining of parents for removing children during term time.  The kids will return to class on 19th August and will have two extra weeks added to terms in September and November as well as in May. 

Easter holiday clash

Parents in Dacorum, Hertfordshire, are facing a complex Easter holiday schedule after many of the secondary schools elected to split up the traditional Easter holidays.  Their plan would involve a long weekend for Easter then returning to school for four days before then having two weeks off.  But it seems that the primary schools in the area, despite being in favour of the change, didn’t put it into place.

What this means for parents is that if they have a child in both primary and secondary schools, they will be facing a different holiday period for each with only a week overlapping.  The schools normally get together each year to organise holidays under the new county council model but somewhere the communications broke down and now parents will find themselves in a potentially awkward position over time off at Easter. 

No fines for Carmarthenshire parents

Good news for parents of kids in Carmarthenshire schools after the council announced that next year there would be no fines for taking kids out on pre-booked holidays.  The move comes after the announcement of new school holidays and terms times from the Welsh Government that were in conflict for those already published by the schools in the area.  The mix up included October half term being a week earlier and the return from the Christmas break also being a week earlier.  Even the January 2017 term will be slightly different.

The confusion led to the county council saying that pupils would not be fined for not attending school for holidays booked in those times, when the parents thought the kids were due to be on holiday.  However, the move has yet to be signed off by the government in Cardiff so parents are advised to speak to the school directly if holidays are being affected.

Inset days used to save parents money

A school in Newport has come up with a new way to help ease the pain of parents wanting to take their kids on holiday but finding that peak times are too expensive.  Eveswell Primary School have said they will use their five teacher training days all together at the end of the Whitsun half term in June 2016 to allow parents to make use of cheaper holidays

Unusual UK days out for the family

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A La Ronde

A La Ronde is a historic house with a difference – well a few of them actually.  The house is found near Lympstone in Devon and is now owned by the National Trust.  It was built in the 18th century for a pair of spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter and has sixteen sides to it.  It also has unusual diamond shaped windows and a shell gallery that contains nearly 25,000 shells collected by the two women across their lives.  There are also extensive gardens to explore that are grade II listed in their own right.

Brimham Rocks

One look at Brimham Rocks and you feel like you want to keep out of the way in case it falls off but being that the rock has been balanced there for a very long time, it is highly unlikely.  The rocks are found on Brimham Moor in north Yorkshire and were caused by the water and wind erosion to create strange and unlikely shapes.

Chislehurst Caves

Chislehurst Caves is a popular tourist attraction during the day, 22 miles of tunnel under the south-eastern suburbs of London.  While called caves they are manmade and parts date back as early as the 1250s.  For a family day out idea that’s a little different, there is now the chance to stay with night in the caves, said to be so haunted that only one person has managed to complete the challenge.  From druids to smugglers and murderers, the caves are filled with the spirits of the deceased and the challenge of staying with them for a night isn’t to be undertaken by those of a nervous disposition.

Creekside Discovery Centre

The Creekside Discovery Centre is located in one of the most famous beach combing spots in the UK, the Thames estuary.  It holds a variety of sights from wildlife to the remains that travel down the river from the urban areas such as London.  Each day when the tide goes out the area can be combed for interesting sights and for unusual walks.  The centre can provide waders, waterproofs and walking sticks to help enjoy the experience to the full.

Forbidden Corner

The Forbidden Corner is an attraction with a difference a short distance from Middleham in North Yorkshire.   The site is home to a unique labyrinth including chambers, tunnels and follies as well as plenty of surprises.  Brave the temple of the underworld or conquer the tricky paths around the massive glass pyramid while admiring the amazing statues that line the way to help and hinder.  The park started out as a fir tree wood back in 1979 with features being added over the years to make a fascinating and challenging place to visit.

Gnome Magic

The gnome has been the standard for garden decorations for generations but at Gnome Magic in Colchester, Essex, there are enough of them to enchant or spook even the hardiest garden.  In fact, there are 800 of the little characters dotted amongst the plants on the site to make for a walk in the park with a difference.  There is even a gnome painting facility as well as tea rooms to relax after the walk, or de-stress if all those little eyes were a bit too creepy!

Avoid School Holiday Traffic

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So it’s the school holidays and the weather is good so you plan a day trip somewhere that the kids have always wanted to visit.  However, there is a problem, so has everyone else and the traffic will likely be a nightmare.  Bank Holidays or a sunny day when the schools are off can see thousands of parents are looking for ways to entertain children and set out to popular tourist attractions to spend a day with the kids.  So what can you do to avoid the traffic jams?  And, how to do you keep the kids occupied if you do hit traffic?

Plan Ahead

The first step is to plan ahead – sit down the night before and check the route you are going to take.  The Highways Agency is a good site to check for information on road works on major roads and there are various other traffic sites for different parts of the country that are regularly updated.

Another aspect of planning is to check the weather forecast.  Yes, you want to know if the weather is suitable for the trip you have planned but also will the weather have an effect on the traffic?  If you are going to an indoor venue, there will be more congestion on the roads if the weather is poor.  Alternatively, if you are going somewhere outdoors and it is going to be particularly hot, areas such as the coast will be busier than normal.

Look at avoiding rush hour, as there are far more vehicles on the road at this time of day and prepare an alternative route to the one you intend to take in case something occurs while you are travelling.  Some satellite navigation systems have alternative routes programmed into them or they can even suggest a different route when requested.

During the trip

When you are on the road, tune into the local radio to keep track of any incidents.  The BBC operate radio stations in every area that give traffic information and most modern car radios have the facility to seek out traffic updated.

A smart phone can also serve a similar function if you have someone in the car that can monitor it, which many of the kids are more than able to do nowadays!  Motoring organisations such as the AA are a good place to see what is happening and the Highways Agency do update their site with incidents as well.

The best Theme Parks in the UK

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Ask a kid where they want to go and a theme park is probably one of the first places they come up with.  Theme parks also offer activities and fun for kids of all ages from the special rides for little kids right up to the white-knuckle rides that even adults think twice about riding.  Some of them even have animals as well so a double-up on the unmissable stakes.  Here we look at the top 11 Theme Parks in the UK in no particular order.

Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Alton Towers is the UK’s biggest theme park, located in the grounds of a 15th century country estate.  It opened in 1980 and has a total of eight high-speed roller coasters, 11 thrill rides and a number of other rides including those suitable for the little kids.  Add to that the new Cbeebies Land, an aquarium, cable car, monorail and even gardens to explore, there is more than a day’s worth of children’s entertainment.  There are even two hotels on the site including one that features a giant pirate ship as its downstairs area, which the kids will love.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire

Blackpool Pleasure Beach may be one of the most well-known spots in the country but doesn’t lack for rides despite its urban location.  There are 40 rides in the park including five steel roller coasters, five wooden ones and plenty of family-friendly rides as well.  For the smaller kids there is a Nickelodeon Land while older kids will love the Ghost Train and Go Karts.  The Big Blue is the pleasure beach hotel but the central location means there are plenty of other accommodation options too.

Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey

Chessington World of Adventures has a staggering range of things to do from the thrill rides and roller coasters to the zoo and a Sea Life centre.  Nor is the zoo just an add-on – it has over 1000 animals including gorillas and tigers spread over eight different zones.  One of the notable rides is the Dragon’s Fury, an unusual roller coaster that spins around a half kilometres track encasing the Land of the Dragons zone.  There are two hotels within the park and a monorail system to get around.

Crealy Park, Devon

Crealy Park is actually two sites, one in Devon and one in Cornwall.  The Devon site includes a range of water rides, swinging boat and even quad biking among around 60 attractions.  It is aimed more at the under 10 age group and doesn’t have the big thrill rides for the older kids.  There is a Dino Jeep virtual ride that takes kids through the dinosaurs that most will love as well as a Roman themed roller coaster.  A small zoo includes friendly faces such as guinea pigs and meerkats while there is a campsite next door as well as places for motorhomes.

Drayton Manor, Staffordshire

Drayton Manor is another theme park built on a former mansion site and contains a great mixture of roller coasters, thrill rides and rides for the kids as well as a zoo.  There is a dedicated Thomas Land for the little kids – dedicated to that famous little tank engine.  For the older kids there is The Shock Wave, a coaster where you stand up and loop through a Zero-G roll as well as a double corkscrew.  There is a four-star hotel on the site as well as plenty of nearby camping options.

Flamingo Land, Yorkshire

Flamingo Land was named for the former bird residents of the Yorkshire Zoological Gardens that the site started out life being.  Situated between York and Scarborough, the park is now filled with thrill rides, roller coasters, kids’ attractions and the best zoo in the northeast.  The zoo has many famous animals including white rhinos, tigers and giraffes while one of the newest ride is called Hero and is a vertical position tower similar to the Air ride at Alton Towers.  Accommodation on site is varied as well including everything from luxury lodges to camping spots.

Gulliver’s Land, Buckinghamshire

Gulliver’s Land is a combination of theme park, water area, farm and a campsite so there is something for kids of all ages.  It is aimed at children from the age of two to thirteen and everything is aimed at children, with no alcohol on site for example.  Lilliput Land is particularly special for the under-fives with rides such as teacups and a cycle monorail.  There is no on-site accommodation but its central location means there are plenty of options nearby.

LEGOLAND, Berkshire

LEGOLAND used to be one for the younger kids but not anymore and most adults will admit to loving a chance to play with those famous bricks.  There may not be the white-knuckle rides of many of the parks but there are plenty of great rides for the kids to enjoy and Miniland will fascinate young and old.  Using nearly 40 million bricks, this is a series of detailed models of scenes from around the world with animated cars, boats and scenery included.  Even the on-site hotel has a completely Lego theme to it that the kids will love.

Paultons Park, Hampshire

Paultons Park is on the edge of the New Forest National Park and is home to over 60 rides and attractions as well as Peppa Pig World, a must-see for the little kids.  There is a period themed garden with a real Victorian carousel contrasting with the brand new 4D cinema.  There is also a beautiful African themed gardens area to explore after the rides.

Pleasurewood Hills, Norfolk

Pleasurewood Hill has recently undergone a major refurbishment meaning the site now has four roller coasters as well as thrill and kiddies rides.  Animal shows include a sea lion show and a parrot show so something for the animal fans.  For the thrill seekers, HoBs PiT is said to be the scariest ride in the UK, travelling through an abandoned mine.

Thorpe Park, Surrey

Thorpe Park is located on an island raised from a former gravel pit near both the M3 and M25 motorways.  From wet rides to thrill rides and even seven roller coasters, the park is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise while the new Angry Birds Land is great for younger kids.  Stealth is one of the fastest coasters in the UK, reaching over 80mph while Saw – The Ride is based on the horror franchise and is typically billed as the ‘most terrifying coaster’ including a hall of horrors and vertical drops.  Accommodation comes in the form of shark-theme hotel that rises out of the lake within the park.

Make summer holidays educational

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School Holidays has there ever been a more magical combination of words to a child’s ears? A time to play, a time to explore and a time to learn?

Most children will balk at the idea of studying during the half term. With friends outside beckoning in the park and plenty of cartoons on the television, school work may be the last thing on your little one’s mind. That said, there are plenty of ways to incorporate education into a fun and exciting day out for children or afternoon at home.

Take it outside 

Summer is here, and there are plenty of learning opportunities in the back garden, in the park or by any body of water. Going for a splash in the creek can yield the magic of frog spawn, and an excellent time to revise biology. Inspecting new buds and fresh grass are great times to explain photosynthesis, and a visit to the petting area yields a perfect opportunity to talk genus and species. No matter what science or nature topic is being covered in class, chances are the great outdoors is your ultimate study buddy.  

Inside learning fun.

All child friendly attractions and museums offer special half term programmes for children of all ages, usually at no charge. Keen to explore history? A museum may be for you and your brood. Perhaps a jaunt into the belly of whale? Definitely the Natural History Museum Arts and culture? How about the Tate? Even niche topics such as human pathology and zoology are covered in the UK’s fascinating museums. What your child learns in a museum will complement and contextualise their studies – and provide for a good family day out.

Make a Game of it 

Turning an otherwise dry or dull subject into a fun game is the perfect way to bring schoolwork alive. Family living room quiz shows with fun prizes, board games and even small skits and plays can all turn a topic they are bored of into a fun and exciting play activity. Before you know it, they’ll be begging for their Shakespeare lessons. 

Get Crafty 

Fancy snuggling up indoors during half term instead of venturing outside? A fun way to encourage revision is to provide a table filled with exciting craft supplies – pipe cleaners, sparkly stickers, crepe paper and more – and help your kids to create wondrous masterpieces related to their studies. It’s easy to sneak in some stories and facts while colouring a Georgian mansion or building a model ship. They’ll be learning and they won’t even know it.

Rainy day indoor activities

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On a sunny day, children can play outside or go to the park but when it’s raining, everything seems grim and dull. Wet weather in the school holidays can drive parents crazy, especially for those on a budget and for many that mean’s a day in the house.  How you keep the kids entertained without spending a fortune?

Cupcake Creations

Doing a spot of cookery with kids is great fun and they will enjoy serving up their creations to the rest of the family.  If you aren’t the most confident home baker, then most supermarkets sell bun making or cupcake making kits that need just a little water and an egg.  The kids get to do most of the work with a little supervision and will love arranging the decorations on the icing once they are cooked. 

Cooking, Creating and Painting

As well as edible projects, you can also make salt dough in the kitchen.  This uses 2 cups of plain flour, 1 cup of salt and up to 1 cup of water to make dough that can then be cut with shaped cutters or just by hand.  It is baked in the oven at a low heat for around three hours and can be then be painted with acrylic paint, varnished and glittered.  This activity is great for making decorations or beads to then be strung together. 

Make a Den

There aren’t many kids who don’t love the idea of having a den in the house and a rainy day is a great opportunity to do this.  Get some kitchen chairs together, hang bedding and blankets over them and secure everything with clothing pegs.  The kids can then play inside with their favourite toys and games and will probably be very difficult to get out come bedtime! 

All Children like a Good Treasure Hunt

With a little preparation, a treasure hunt around the house is a great children’s activity idea and will be great fun, with a little treat as the treasure.  Set up clues that have them thinking things through without being too difficult and send them up and down stairs as much as possible – a bit of hidden exercise while in the house.

You could even integrate a little learning into the treasure hunt, ask them a mathematical problem or how to spell a word. 

Marble Runs

Creating marble runs is a brilliant way to get the kids thinking.  Stockpile old toilet roll holders, margarine tubs and anything else they can put together to make a run for their marbles.  It won’t be long before they are becoming ever more inventive and trying to guess where the marble will go.  Just watch out they don’t end up under your feet!

Entertaining the youngsters

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So, the kids have stopped playing with their Christmas presents ages ago and they’re board. Would you like some ideas on how to entertain them?  We’ve come up with some great places to take them and also some DIY at home children’s entertainment for hire.

A day at the museum
London museums open their doors on weekends, and at the Science Museum there’s a fab exhibition on the birth of the space age; great for any budding cosmonauts.

But if you don’t fancy going out albeit only in the garden, build yourself a bubble-powered rocket fuelled by indigestion tablets. We are sure you will be able to find a great children’s entertainer. The right entertainer will keep them amused for hours.

A Prima ballerina
Make a budding ballerina’s dream come true with a performance of The Nutcracker by the English National Ballet. 

Our suggestion: You can book ballet dance shows, with a prima ballerina teaching your child and her friends a ballet class, hair and makeup techniques and even giving a private performance. Move over Angelina mouse!

Ski Sunday
Take the kids to an indoor snow centre like Snow-Dome in Tamworth – and of course other dry ski slopes are dotted about throughout the UK, where they can toboggan, snowboard and freestyle to their heart’s content. 

Why not hold a ski party! For inside parties, hire an ice sculpture and watch on a big screen some snow-boarding.  For outside events, hire an ice rink and even a snow machine if budget will allow. And, of course, you’ll need suitable music – a Snow Patrol tribute band perhaps?

Fun at the circus
Circus acts are definitely cool this year, and there are some excellent circus shows on offer this year. As the summer holidays are fastly approaching Circus tents will be popping up all over the country which will include trapeze artists, clowns, jugglers, aerialists and acrobats. 

Hopefully we’ve given you a bit of inspiration and made you think that next time, instead of you going to the fun; the fun can come to you… Have a great weekend!

Party Invitations made easy

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The invitations to any party are very important. This is one of the first things you should do when planning a children’s birthday party. So here are some great top tips for how to go about your invites.

Ready Made Options –
This is perhaps the perfect time to point out that you can get some great templates on the website for anyone that is stuck for ideas. Many of them can be printed off for free. 

Don’t Hang Around –

It’s important that you give your guests plenty of time to respond to your invites and so you need to get them out in good time before the event. Depending on when your party is, (busy times such as bank holidays and Christmas may need longer) about a month before the occasion is probably best. This should give most people enough time to reply and will also mean the date is firmly in their diary should anything else come up.
Consider Going Straight to the Parents –  
Although it’s exciting for a child to receive an invitation to their friend’s party, children can often forget to pass these onto their parents. You may therefore want to hand the invitations directly to the relevant adults so that you get a swift RSVP. Alternatively, you could get your child to hand them out to their friends but do then check with the parents of the children, that they know about it, in case the invite never made it home. Another option is asking the teacher of your child’s class to put them in the children’s book bags.
Have A Crafty Day –   
If you would prefer to create your own invites rather than use the ones on our We party’s website, then why not have a craft day in order to do this. Set out everything you need to make your child’s own invitations and then work on them together. Kids find this very exciting. This way they can have a bigger say in their party and they can show off their arts and craft skills to all their friends.
Try to Include Everyone – 
When inviting children to the party, it’s often hard to know who should get an invite. The amount of guests that can come will obviously depend on the size of the venue and the budget you have for the party, but where possible it’s a good idea to not leave anyone out and simply invite the whole class at school. If you don’t then some children (and parents) are bound to get upset. Some schools actually ask that you do invite the whole class if you are giving out invites on the school grounds, so it’s an idea to check what the school policy is with this. 
Check All the Information Is Correct –  
Before you send out the invites check that all the information on them is correct. This sounds obvious, but the last thing you want is for people to show up an hour early because you put the wrong time on the invites. Make sure you have included the address of the venue, what time the party starts and finishes, what day and date it is on and whether there is any specific dress code in line with your party theme. You may also want to add that parents are welcome to stay for the duration of the party if you decide you are happy for them to do so. We’d actually suggest they don’t stay (if the children are old enough) because the background noise made by parents charting can actually mean kids can’t hear the entertainer as well and it has an adverse effect on the children’s party. Of course it’s understandable that you may want parents to stay but we’d suggest that if they do, you have a separate room for them to be in.