Tag: ideas

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!

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!

Family days out in the Capital

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London offers an incredible amount of free attractions and things to do. Most museums and art galleries are free, London’s street markets are a must even if you don’t plan to do any shopping, and many London neighbourhoods are perfect for a stroll and a great day out with the family.

The British Museum

For a fascinating day out, the family will love The British Museum where you’ll see displays on different aspects of art, culture and history! It is great for school kids and could even help with their school projects! A real highlight for the for the children include seeing the famous mummies from Ancient Egypt and the Rosetta Stone!

Imperial War Museum

Bring the family here to learn about all aspects of war from seeing how families lived and coped during the war to tanks and Spitfires. There are sections on trench warfare, the Blitz, rationing and a whole section dedicated to the secrets of war.

The National Gallery

This gallery is home to one of the greatest collections of Western European art in the world so you will definitely be guaranteed a fascinating day out. Catering brilliantly for family visits, you can take part in a Walk & Talk where an expert will take you through the museum bringing the paintings alive which will keep the kids attention. There are a host of family tours and also workshops and activities throughout the year. The National Portrait Gallery, on nearby St. Martin’s Place, is also free!

Science Museum

This museum is a definite hit with children (and adults) of all ages and it’s definitely clear to see why! You’ll get to explore space and see a piece of the moon, and get your adrenaline pumping in the flight simulator. Especially created for the younger visitors, a visit to The Garden is a must and will give them the opportunity to explore light and sound, as well as water and construction.

The Tate Britain and Tate Modern

The Tate Britain in Pimlico houses a prestigious collection of British art from the 16th century to the present day. Its modern sister, the Tate Modern, is completely different with collections of 20th and 21st century art. Both galleries are extremely family friendly, and to make your visit even more fun there are apps which you can download and activities to do as you make your way around.

Horniman Museum & Gardens

This family friendly fun anthropological museum is set in a 16 acre landscaped garden which you can explore, and has extensive collections of natural history as well as a magical aquarium. Other highlights include the Animal Walk where you can see alpacas, sheep, goats, rabbits and much more up close.

Grant Museum of Zoology

The Grant Museum of Zoology is a fascinating place to visit if you enjoy natural history. There are large collections of around 68,000 skeletons, mounted animals and specimens preserved in fluid which include extinct species such as the Tasmanian Tiger, the Quagga, and the Dodo.

London’s Street Markets

Even if you are not planning on doing any shopping, London’s street markets are great for wandering and seeing the huge selection of goods on offer. Visit the Borough Market and browse through high quality local and international foods, or go to Camden where the covered Camden Lock market is surrounded by street stalls, shops, cafes and bars. There are numerous markets all over the city selling everything from antiques through to delicious foods!

London’s Parks

London’s green parks are the heart of the city on sunny days, locals come to their beloved parks to have a coffee in the morning or a sandwich at lunch time, to read a book, to meet friends, to fly a kite, play with the kids, picnic or just to hang out on a nice afternoon. Hyde Park, St James Park, Green Park and Regent Park are the most central of London’s parks, but there are many more on our website including Crystal Palace Park which is home to 33 Victorian dinosaurs!

Urban Farms

In and around London there are a number of farms that you can visit for free. You can meet an array of different animals, learn all about where your food comes from and enjoy being outdoors. Farms you can visit include Surrey Docks Farm, Spitalfields City Farm, Vauxhall City Farm, and there are many more on our website too.

Diana Memorial Playground

The children will love this outdoor adventure playground which was built in memorial to the late Diana Princess of Wales and was inspired by the stories of Peter Pan. The centrepiece is a magnificent and fun wooden pirate ship. There’s also a sensory trail, teepees, a beach around the ship and a selection of sculptures and toys to keep the children occupied.

V&A  Museum of Childhood

The exhibitions within the Museum of Childhood will most certainly intrigue the children but will also take the grown ups on a trip down memory lane! With artefacts dating from the 1600’s to the present day there is so much to see from photography to fashion and childhood. There are also plenty of fun children’s activities organised just for the little ones including art activities and getting messy in the sandpit!

Winter family fun

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  1. Go outdoors and find a frosty spider’s web (then make your own using PVA glue and silver glitter)
  2. Make a puppet theatre using leftover Christmas cardboard, then create a puppet show
  3. Create a bird feeder using a pine cone, lard and bird seed then take pictures of the birds as they feed in your garden!
  4. Create your own puzzles. Stick a family photo, or a child drawn picture to card and cut it into shapes
  5. Go bowling, it’s a great fun indoor activity that the whole family can enjoy!
  6. 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 a campfire and toast some marshmallows
  8. Collect shells and create fun pictures on the beach, or in the forest with stones and twigs.
  9. Teach your child to thread or sew, for younger children use cardboard with holes punched in it and string as thread.
  10. Go on a scavenger hunt. Give children photos of things to find or set up written clues to help older children find items outside.
  11. Visit a pottery café and create your very own masterpiece.

 

Amazing and Cheap UK attractions

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  1. The Guards Museum, London

Adult: £6, Children: Free

Everyday around 11.30am the Changing of the Guards ceremony happens outside Buckingham Palace (this is FREE to watch!!). The guards who protect the Sovereign have carried out this duty since 1660 and during the ceremony you will see a regiment march from Wellington Barracks to Buckingham Palace to take over the guard. This ceremony takes place every day from April- July and on alternate days throughout the rest of the year (weather permitting). Afterwards pay a visit to the Guards Museum for an enjoyable and educational visit. You can learn all about the various regiments and at the end you might even get to try on a bear skin!

 

  1. The Clink Prison, London

Family £18, Adult: £7.50, Child: £5.50

This museum is built on the original site of a medieval prison. The kids will love the hands on educational experience where you are able to handle original artefacts including torture devices. You will also hear lots of amazing stories about the prison’s past, the inmates and the notorious South Bank.

 

  1. Liberty’s Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre, Ringwood

Discover one of the South’s largest collection of bird of prey, reptiles, creepy crawlies and more at the Liberty Centre near Ringwood. The flying displays with take your breath away and we can almost guarantee that you’ll learn something exciting and new about the animals you meet. After you’ve looked around, why not stop for a bite to eat at the cafe and the kids can blow off some steam in the play area and sandpit.

 

4.Windmill Hill City Farm – Bedminster, Bristol

FREE ENTRY

This small community farm has loads to offer and is a great day out for kids of all ages. You’ll be able to meet loads of animals, such as goats, sheep, pigs and chickens, and learn all about farming. There’s also a kids play area when they can run around while you refuel with a coffee.

 

  1. Museum of Transport, Manchester

Adult: £4, Children: Free

Take a trip into the past at Manchester’s Museum of Transport. Wander through the UK’s biggest collection of vintage trams, busses, coaches and more including a real horse and carriage and retro double decker bus! Keep the kids entertained on your day out with the free kids quiz which they can complete as they discover each artefact.

 

  1. Boscombe Coastal Activity Park – Bournemouth, Dorset

FREE ENTRY

Stroll down Boscombe Beach and you will be able to enjoy a whole host of coastal activities including free swing ball, table tennis, bouldering and don’t forget to check out the music trail on the pier!

 

  1. Hoar Park Farm, Nuneaton

Family: £11, Adult: £3, Child: £2.50, Under 2: Free

At Hoar Park farm you can meet a whole bunch of different animals such as goats, chickens, geese, ponies, donkeys, pigs, deer, cows, guinea pigs, rabbits and even a tarantula called Rosie, who you can touch! There’s also a playground where your little ones can run around and keep themselves busy for an hour or two.

 

  1. Alice Holt Forest, Surrey

FREE! (Parking Charges Apply)

For a day of exploration and activity outdoors take the family to Alice Holt Forest where you can walk, cycle, play or have a picnic. The kids can discover the play area where there’s a pirate ship to climb and explore, a nest swing and even a 3D maze! Entrance is free for all the only cost is parking, which starts at £1.80 for 1 hour, up to £8 for 4+ hours.

 

  1. Fancy’s Family Farm – Portland, Dorset

FREE ENTRY

Fancy’s Farm has loads of animals and critters that you won’t see at any regular farm! Including slow worms, lizards and even wallabies! Kids will love meeting all the different animals, especially Dinky the Miniature Horse!

 

  1. The Teddy Bear Museum, Dorchester

Family: £18.99, Adult: £5.99, Child: £3.99, Under 3: Free

Indoor activity

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You won’t get bored with all of this indoor fun that’s waiting for you!

KidZania, London

Children can let their imaginations run wild as they test the out real jobs in this mini city, such as being a pilot, firefighter, radio presenter, banker, police officer and many more! After all that work they can use their hard earned ‘KidZos’ to buy themselves some treats!

Winchester Science Centre, Winchester, Hampshire

Winchester Science Centre is fun for all the family with 100 hands-on science exhibits for you to discover. The planetarium has shows that run almost everyday, you can get sucked into a black hole, travel through the Solar System or even explore the human body!

Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham

Inquisitive young minds can discover the past, investigate the present and find the future. Don’t miss visiting the Planetarium that shows fantastic tours of the night sky and takes you on a trip around our vast solar system.

Deep Sea World, Fife, Scotland

What better way to beat the rain than to take the kids underwater at Scotland’s Deep Sea World. The kids will enjoy exploring over 100 meters of incredible creatures including starfish, catfish and even eels!

The Beatles Story, Liverpool

Young or old, everyone knows The Beatles! Take an incredible journey through the history of four Liverpudlian lads who shot to fame in the early 60’s. Complete with an audio guide, see the story unfold as you wander around replicas of Mathew Street and The Cavern. The exhibition is split across two sites and the Fab4D theatre at the Pier Head venue is a must for groovy families ‐ meet magical characters who bring The Beatles’ well-loved hits to life with cutting edge technology

Nature loving kids

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We are sure to these places will please your little nature lovers!

Waterfall Country, Brecon Beacons National Park

Nestled in the southern slopes of the Fforest Fawr massif, west of Merthyr Tydfil, the Waterfall Country is one of the most beautiful spots in the Brecon Beacons National Park! You’ll see steep, tree-lined gorges and lots of splashing water! It also contains two Sites of Special Scientific Interest, which include oak and ash trees and over 200 species of mosses, liverworts and ferns!

Cotter Force, North Yorkshire

Explore this lovely secluded waterfall in its beautiful woodland setting! It is a series of about half a dozen waterfalls, with the largest single drop being about 1.5m. The perfect tranquil day out!

Janet’s Foss, North Yorkshire

Try your hand at this popular walk, starting at Malham Village and ending at the magical waterfall at Janet’s Foss. You’ll encounter flagged paths through fields before making your way through the woodland on rough and rocky tracks!

Hardraw Force, Hawdraw, Yorkshire

Hardraw Force is home to England’s largest single drop waterfall with a reputed 100 foot drop! Set within the grounds of the historic Green Dragon Inn, little explorers are sure to be amazed at what this fascinating site has to offer.

Lydford Gorge, Okehampton

The White Lady Waterfall offers breathtaking views… and is a great family photo opportunity! The water runs down the gorge’s face like a stream of silk, inspiring theories around its name. It’s also super beneficial to surrounding wildlife too, with the wind and spray providing a rainforest-like environment for lots of fascinating plant life to form!

Mottisfont Abbey & Garden, Romsey, Hampshire

Surrounded by picturesque riverside gardens, this historic house is full of beauty from paintings, photographs and interior design. The gardens provide seasonal delights throughout the year, with spring offering an amazing blue carpet of ‘Glory of the snow’. There’s also a lovely Wild Play area for kids and great trails to follow!

Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall, Wales

This enchanting waterfall in the Berwyn Mountains is the highest waterfall in the UK! With water plummeting 240 ft from top to bottom, it’s no wonder many visitors return again and again!

Aberdulais Tinworks and Waterfall, Neath, Wales

Come and discover two fascinating attractions in one place! Set in a steep gorge, see how the water-powered tin worked and how the now giant water wheel is used to generate electricity. The kids can pick up a tracker pack which is stuffed full of children’s activities for them to complete as they make their way around! The Old Schoolhouse is now a great little tea room where you can feed the kids with light bites and treats.

 

Cheap ways to entertain the kids

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On half term holidays, you’ll probably hear your kids utter these words: “I’m bored.” Rather than let them turn on the TV or play video games, try any of these free or cheap ways to entertain them.

  • Plant a garden.  Kids love planting seeds in the spring and watching them grow through the summer.

  • Have a water balloon fight. Let the kids toss water balloons at each other or you.

  • Go bowling.

  • Watch birds. Go into the garden and try to identify as many birds as possible.

  • Create a water park in the garden.  Fill the a paddling  pool, and let the kids have fun cooling off on a hot day.

  • Take a bubble bath outside. If the kids are tiring of the paddling pool, make it fun again by filling it with bubbles — and throwing small toys in for them to find under all the foam.

  • Visit the public library. Public libraries often offer free summer reading programs that include workshops, movies, children’s theatre, puppet shows and more.

  • Start a book club. Create a summer reading list for your kids, then discuss the books after they read them. Invite their friends to participate, too.

  • Listen to a concert in park. Many cities have free summer concert series during the day or evening.

 

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.

 

Do your kids love sports days?

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For as long as many of us can remember sports day has always resided at every school in the summer months showing off pupil’s talents at physical education. Parents, teachers and children alike congregate on a school field or local green patch for an afternoon of races and related fun. The concept of sports day has always been straight forward fun for all the family. However, when looking into the event more closely the activity of sports day could in fact have other effects on the children which are not as welcoming as the element of fun. Looking at each aspect in turn we can learn the inside scoop of what sports day is really about.

Children love nothing more than to let off some steam by running around with their friends and having lots of fun. Running races and playing games can be seen as great fun from the children’s perspective. Boundless energy and no limitations of what people think of them make them great at enjoying themselves actively. Yet on the introduction of rules and competition are put in place the fun factor could be sufficiently reduced. The reduction in the key element of fun can leave children restless and a little unwilling to take part as it is not what they consider fun. On the flip side if managed properly the fun element can be stay intact and the children will be more cooperative in the races planned.

Learning about competition can be very productive towards a child’s development. Knowing that other children may be better at some things than themselves can help children get the motivation they need to work harder. This motivation gives more satisfaction to get the job done. Many children strive to make their parents proud or at least to do it for themselves. With the support of families any and all hard work that goes into the end result can be highly beneficial. Children pushing themselves to be all that they can be is a great start for methods which can be used much later in life to their advantage.

Taking part in events is a positive experience on a child’s social development which is also key to their cognitive functions. Being able to be social with others is a skill most valued in a child’s upbringing. Though competition is essential to push motivation the taking part in the event counts both morally and physically.