Category: Party

Harry Potter party theme

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Transform your child and his or her guests from Muggles to wizards with our Harry Potter Party Ideas! We have some fun suggestions for everything from invitations to children’s activities that will ensure a mystical birthday bash no one will forget!

Harry Potter Party Planning & Invitations

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

 

 

Invitations are an important part of your planning because they give the first impression of your children’s party to your guests. If you have the time to make your own invitations, here are a few ideas to consider for your Harry Potter Birthday party:

 

  • Fold a piece of cardstock in half to create a top-fold card. If you are artistic, draw the Hogwarts crest on the front. Underneath the crest, write, “You are Invited…”

  • Punch a hole in the corner of a card-style invitation and attach it to a magic wand. Ask your guests to bring their wand with them to the party.

  • Create a top-fold card and divide the front of the card into four squares. Write one of the Hogwarts house names in each square (i.e. Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff).

 

When it comes to food, your guests would most likely be perfectly happy with pizza or hotdogs. However, if you would like to include some Harry Potter themed snacks, consider these ideas:

 

  • Serve “magic potion”. Freeze cranberry and grape juice in ice cube trays before the party. Serve a colourless soda at the party, such as ginger ale or lemon-lime. Let your guests select their ice cubes, which will “magically” change the colour of their drinks.

  • There are a number of treats from the Harry Potter stories that are made from everyday products, such as ginger Beer, Choco Balls (chocolate covered strawberry mousse balls), Fizzing sherbet lemons, Rock Cakes (randomly shaped cakes with raisins), chocolate eclairs, and licorice wands.

    Harry Potter Party favours

Put a smile on your kids’ faces by sending them home with party favours that fit your theme. You could give one large favour, such as one of the Harry Potter novels or movie tickets; or combine smaller favours such as:

 

  • A magic wand

  • A book of magic tricks

  • Harry Potter stickers, pencils and stationery items

  • Plastic Harry Potter glasses

 

Hire some entertainment

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The Best Prima Ballerina Parties Barre None!

Take your child’s passion for ballet to a whole new level with a ballerina party they’ll be raving about for months. A professional ballet dancer will thrill with a real ballet class, a hairstyling session (with lots of sparkles!), tiara and wand props.

Marvellous Magic With Close-Up Magicians

Magic is really popular for kids, thanks to the new wave of TV street magicians, so a close-up magic show is perfect for a birthday party. Often combining conjuring tricks with an infectious sense of fun, a children’s magician will give your kids a show that’s amazing, amusing and absolutely unforgettable.

Crazy Comedy Jugglers

A Comedy Juggler is fabulous entertainment for a children’s party, combining amazing skill with a healthy dose of humour. And it’s not just juggling balls and clubs either –  jugglers have been known to juggle 7 objects or more objects at a time, a bowling ball, a small child and a chainsaw (well maybe not a small child!!)

Superb Storytellers

Once upon a time, there was a children’s party where every child was spellbound by the power of a great story. And that party can be yours, a wonderfully relaxing experience for both guests and parents that is hard to find in today’s busy worlds. Now that’s a true happy ending!

Children’s Themed Parties

Two hours of sheer delight, transporting kids into a make-believe world of fun and games. Led by professional children’s entertains such as, Children’s Themed Parties and Children’s Entertainers, and with optional face painter, you can choose from popular party packages that delight from start to finish.

 

Inspiration for a kids party

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Entertaining children at a party is hard work, especially if you’ve got a range of ages attending, they all want to play, and you’re trying to set up the food! So, why not let a professional children’s party entertainers delight, entertain and enthrall your children and their friends, while you relax and wonder how 20 kids could possibly eat all that food in one sitting.

Blow Up A Storm With Balloon Modelers

Balloon modelling is fascinating to watch, as long thin balloons are inflated then twisted at lightening speeds into anything from a monkey to a jetpack! The great benefit of hiring Balloon Modellers for any kid’s party is that every child gets something to take home, be it a hat, custom-made balloon jewellery, a backpack or a favourite cartoon character.

Face Painting For Children’s Parties

Transform your little VIPs into wild animals, butterflies, superheroes with the skill and artistry of expert Face Painters. Professional face painters will only use safe, water-based and hypoallergenic materials, so kids can wear their new look all party long and parents can restore them to angelic normality before bedtime!

Memorable Mime Artists

If your kids like Mr Bean, they’ll love live mime. Children just can’t take their eyes off a mime artist, fascinated as they conjure a world from thin air and pure imagination. Our Mime Artists Inc offer traditional style mime and also a silent clown act, for a wonderful show full of slapstick and comedy.

Meet The Animals In A Mobile Petting Zoo

With a Mobile Petting Zoo, adults and children can get close up to some of nature’s most fascinating exotic animals, ranging from cuddly meerkats and skunks to magnificent lizards, snakes and even giant hairy spiders! These exotic animals create a memorable and educational experience.

 

What Not to Do When Party Planning

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Sometimes the best way of doing something well is to learn a few things that you should avoid doing. By discovering certain practices and helpful pointers, you can make your whole party planning process a lot less stressful and you can ensure thing go as smoothly as possible.

Whether you are organising a celebration for your children’s party a party to wash away the winter blues, or an event for any other occasion; here are some things you may want to avoid.

Inviting Too Many Guests

The stresses involved on the day of your party are likely to be directly proportionate to the amount of children you invite. Whilst it’s often a good idea to invite everyone in your child’s class, to avoid anyone feeling like they have been left out, this will ultimately depend on the space you have available and the amount of other parents you have managed to rope into helping you out. If the party is going to be staged in a small room or you only have limited help available, it may be wise to restrict the number of little guests so that things are a bit more manageable on the day.

Eating too early

One of the most anticipated and important parts of any kid’s party is the food, but if you offer this up too early then you could struggle to regain order amongst the troops. Instead, it is a good idea to build up to the food and have it near the end of the event. This way if anyone spills anything down them they haven’t got to sit through the rest of the party in dirty clothes, and you won’t have to try and get them settled again before they go home to their parents.

Trying to Do Everything Yourself

Although you will be proud of the party you have planned, there is a danger that doing everything yourself will make it a much more stressful process. This is especially true on the day. After you have put in all the effort prior to the occasion, why not take some time to relax during the actual event?

Ignoring The Wishes of Your Child

It’s always a good idea to ask them their preferences for the party – maybe give them 3 or 4 suggestions to choose from so it helps with the decision making process, and then you can guarantee they are going to love whatever you plan for them. More importantly, it also means you’ve involved them in the process and it makes them feel much more like it’s their party. Try to avoid going to the other extreme though and allowing your child to have all the say, and giving them too much choice, or you may struggle to make any decisions about the party.

 

Themes for Your Kid’s Party

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The chances are that your child and their invited guests will already be pretty excited about the prospect of a party, but if you really want to get them looking forward to the day itself then adding a theme could do the trick. A themed children’s party gives the kids a chance to dress up whilst also giving you a great topic for which to base your decorations, food and entertainment around.

Space

Space is a great theme for both boys and girls as it really allows the children to let their imagination run away with them. Will they come dressed as a strange alien from the planet Zog, or will they arrive in a spacesuit ready for their latest adventure into the unknown voids of the galaxy. You could even ask half of your guests to dress as aliens and the other half as astronauts and then use these teams within your entertainment.

Food could include various twists on party classics, such as ‘asteroids’ instead of meatballs and ‘moon rocks’ in place of chicken nuggets. The venue could also be decorated to look like a strange planet with stars, moons and spaceships on the ceiling.

Circus

Having a circus themed party for kids can be a great way to give the children a chance to learn a few new skills whilst they are having fun. They could have a go at learning to juggle, or fooling around like their favourite clown. The circus is not just about the guy with the red nose and big shoes though, and so the children have plenty of options when it comes to fancy dress. There’s the ring announcer, the gymnasts, the lion tamer and the strong man; to name just a few.

At the circus, tomatoes can easily be renamed as ‘clown’s noses’ (you might even persuade a child to eat one when they would otherwise turn their nose away to a vegetable!) and similarly, cheese puffs can be transformed into ‘juggling balls’. To really add that finishing touch, why not turn your venue into a Big Top with some multi-coloured fabric.

Wizards and Witches

This theme has always been a firm favourite, particularly at Halloween, but has grown in popularity since the rise of a certain boy wizard. Your little guests can dress as their favourite character from the film franchise or as a wizard or witch from their own imagination. The beauty with this theme is that it doesn’t take much to transform an ordinary child into a wizarding genius; just a hat and wand in most case

 

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.

Birthday Party inspiration

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What will you do for your child’s birthday party this year? Do you fear having hundreds of kids running around your house making a mess, or worse being bored? Well don’t worry, we have pulled together a list of some favourite birthday party venues across the country that will take the stress out of your party planning (and hopefully leave your house free of kid mess).

A children’s birthday party can be the highlight of your child’s birthday and it’s also a great time for you to see your child and their friends having fun together. With so many possibilities for parties, different packages and offers, it can be tricky to find the perfect one for your child’s special day.

Once you have decided on the venue to host your kids birthday party don’t forget to bring along the birthday essentials… Cake, decorations, party bags, party games (we love a game of pass the parcel) and of course the birthday boy or girl! It’s those little extras that go a long way on the big day.

Go Ape – Nationwide

If your kids are full of energy and want to run wild on their birthday then we recommend giving your cheeky monkeys the chance of an adventure with Go Ape Tree Top Junior parties! Your little explorer and their friends will enjoy an hour of tree top adventure; zip wires, wobbly crossings and Tarzan swings. The Tree Top Junior course is designed especially for children aged 6-12, but can be loved by children of all ages over 1m tall. Birthday parties at Go Ape start from £18 per child.

Force 10 – Nationwide

Alternatively Force 10 offers the ultimate paintball experience and with 10 different paintball sites across the UK you’ll be able to find one close to you. Each with their own action packed games areas, it’s perfect for stag and hen do’s as well as birthdays for kids big and small.

Chill Factore – Greater Manchester

The perfect opportunity to get a group of your children’s friends together and let them tire themselves out on the slopes. Chill Factore in Manchester offers great birthday party packages for kids of all ages. From the Mini Moose Land parties for under 4 years and SnowPark parties for 4+ years to the Ski and Snowboard Taster Parties for ages 6+ and 8+ respectively there are plenty of opportunities for children to enjoy the indoor snow whilst they play and learn.

Rainforest Cafe – London

For an ultimate party in London there are two must visit attractions. The perfect place to celebrate a birthday, Rainforest Cafe is a fantastic choice for little kids and big kids alike. Large tables are available as well as private spaces, and the birthday boy or girl will love the delicious desserts and attention from the Safari Guides.

 

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.

 

Have a Pyramid Party

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If your child is into ancient History, then maybe an Egyptian party would be just the thing;

You could ask the kids to come dressed as an Egyptian (not only would it be great fun but also very educational)

There could be lots of crafty making (seeing as the Egyptians love to build things) why not have a Pyramid building competition which cardboard recycling could be put to very good use. All you need is glue, glitter pens and the children’s imagination to build an amazing Pyramid!!

PARTY GAMES;

Mummy wrap game;

Divide the kids into 3 teams and had them wrap one person as a mummy. Best wrap in 5 minutes’ win.  You will need lots of toilet tissue, try and buy the more expensive stuff as the cheap tissue will rip easily.

Next game is a scavenger hunt. Divided into teams and gave them hieroglyphic clues which they had to translate. There are a lot of websites that give ways to translate hieroglyphics, but not all of them use the same letter-to-hieroglyphic translations.  Tell the children that archaeologists weren’t always given complete information!

The first clue led them to an archaeological dig site (the sand box). They had to dig up a ring, necklace, gold coins, and their next clue. Use one of the pyramids to give instructions — particularly, one item per person; I wanted everyone to get one of each.

The second clue took them to buckets that they had no idea what was inside.  There were all sorts of horrible feeling things inside for example, Jelly, baked beans and custard and they had to dig deep to get their clues!!

The third clue took them to the Nile River. Planks were laid out in the garden and pretend water was underneath them.  The idea is that they balanced and didn’t fall. At the end of the Nile was a crocodile’s nest. They had to get the eggs from the crocodile’s nest for their next clue.

Final stop was Tutankhamun’s tomb, for their prize there were sweets and prizes all stuffed into a treasure chest. Great fun!!!

PARTY FOOD;

Sandwiches and crisps were laid out and ice cream scooped into bowls, so just had to bring it out from the freezer.  Oh and of course a Pyramid Cake!!!