Here at Red Beau, we believe in fostering creativity and imagination in a way that's kind to the planet. So, ditch the store bought kits and get ready for some egg-cellent eco friendly crafts that will make this Easter unforgettable!
Adorable DIY Bunny Puppets:
These fun bunny puppets are perfect for putting on a playful Easter show and are a great option for Easter basket fillers or Easter party activities.
What you'll need:
Let's get crafting!
Cut the Ears: Cut two long, floppy ears out of white craft paper. You can adjust the size depending on how big you want the puppets to be.
Decorate the Face: On the toilet roll tube, use crayons to draw a cute bunny face. Add big eyes, a happy nose, and a wide smile.
Attach the Ears: Glue the bunny ears to the top of the tube
Time for Whiskers! Cut a few thin white pipe cleaners and glue them to the bunny's nose for adorable whiskers. You can draw them if you don't have pipe cleaners.
The Finishing Touches: Cut out small pink or red hearts from paper and glue them on the cheeks for a rosy touch and stick the cotton wool on the back for a fluffy bunny tail.
Festive Egg Bunting for Easter Decorations:
This vibrant egg bunting is a fun and easy way to add a splash of Easter cheer to your home. It's a perfect Easter craft for toddlers or a preschool Easter craft.
What you'll need:
Let's create a colourful chain!
Making Memories that Last:
These easy and eco-friendly Easter crafts are a fantastic way to spend quality time with your little ones. They'll have a blast creating something unique and personal, while you get to cherish these moments of laughter and creativity.
Looking for More Easter Fun?
Don't forget to check out our range of sustainable craft kits made with natural materials! From adorable balancing red squirrel kits to themed seed and stencil packs, we have everything you need to make this Easter a celebration of creativity and kindness to our planet.
Happy crafting and Happy Easter!
]]>Ingredients You'll Need:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Start by adding 1 cup of water, your choice of food colouring, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to a pan. Stir to combine.
In a separate bowl, mix together 1 cup of plain flour, 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar, and 1/2 cup of table salt until combined.
Gently pour the dry ingredients into the pan with your coloured liquid. Turn the heat to medium and continuously stir the mixture.
Keep stirring as the mixture heats. You'll see it start to clump together and form a dough-like ball. This is the playdough coming to life!
Remove the pan from the heat and let your playdough cool down a bit. Once it's cool enough to handle, take it out and knead it into a smooth, pliable dough.
Benefits of Homemade Playdough:
Fun Play Ideas:
A simple, eco-friendly playdough recipe that promises hours of fun and creativity. We'd love to see what you and your little ones create! Share your playdough creations with us on instagram or Facebookso we can share it and inspire others.
IG @redbeaubox
FB @redbeaupartybox
Danielle x
]]>Card Games: Classic and endlessly entertaining, card games are a fantastic way to engage little minds. These can be snap for younger children or you could choose something like UNO to give older ones a challenge.
Chocolate Coins: A sweet treat without the waste! Opt for chocolate coins wrapped in foil, a recyclable alternative to plastic packaging. Plus, they're delicious and fun to find in a stocking.
Marbles: They're just so pretty! My daughter loves them. Marbles are a great way to encourage hand-eye coordination and can be used to play traditional games.
Colouring Pencils with Little Activity Books: Spark creativity with a set of colouring pencils paired with activity books. This combo is perfect for quiet, imaginative play.
Bath Bombs: Bath time becomes a blast with eco-friendly bath bombs. Choose ones made with natural ingredients and essential oils for a fun and fizzy experience that's kind to sensitive skin.
Finger Puppets: Hand-knitted or fabric finger puppets are a wonderful way to encourage storytelling and imaginative play. They're small, cute, and can pair well with storytime.
Playdough in a Tin: Support a small business and buy playdough packaged in reusable tins. This malleable material is fantastic for creative modelling and sensory play. You could even make your own - it's simple to make.
Stickers: Kids love stickers! Opt for ones made from paper or other biodegradable materials. They're great for decorating notebooks, cards, or craft projects.
Metal Badges: Durable and charming, metal badges can be pinned to book bags or jackets. Choose fun designs or messages that resonate with your child's interests.
Mini Eco-Friendly Craft Kits from Red Beau: Our specialty! These little kits are packed with eco-conscious materials for a range of fun crafting activities. Perfect for inspiring creativity and an appreciation for handmade crafts.
I hope these stocking fillers are useful or spark more ideas, let me know if you have any other great ideas! Happy eco-friendly gifting. Danielle x |
It's such a challenge to keep those creative juices flowing night after night, but fear not, I've got your back. Save these in to your phone for last minute late night set ups:
Tiny Treat Treasure Hunt: Hide some mini treats around the house for the kids to find, with the elf leaving clues or a treasure map.
Superhero Adventures: Dress up your elf as a superhero using some doll-sized capes and masks, ready to save the day!
Elf Snow Angels: Create some "snow" using flour or icing sugar and have your elf make snow angels on a surface.
Game Night Surprise: Set up a board game or puzzle and have the elf sitting there waiting for a midnight game session.
Mini Movie Marathon: Arrange a cozy Christmas film setup with popcorn and tiny tickets for an elf-sized movie night.
Baking Shenanigans: Maybe your elf has a sweet tooth! Set up a tiny baking station with spilled flour and biscuit dough mess, or perhaps even pancake mix for breakfast.
Elf Spa Day: Set up a mini spa scene with cotton ball "towels," a tiny robe, and some doll-sized spa essentials like a cotton swab or hairbrush.
Toy Takeover: Have the elf stage a fun takeover of a dollhouse or action figure playset, throwing a tiny party or pretending to be the ruler of the toy kingdom.
Miniature Snowball Fight: Gather some small marshmallows and stage a snowball fight between the elf and a few of the kids' toys.
Zip Line Adventure: Use string to create a zip line for the elf to "zip" from one end of the room to another.
Elf Photobooth: Create a tiny photo booth using a small box or frame, with cutout props for the elf and some dolls to take festive photos.
Elf Artist: Have the elf create a masterpiece using crayons or pens, leaving behind a little drawing for the kids to discover in the morning.
Elf Camping Trip: Set up a miniature camping scene with a tiny tent, fake fire (LED candles work great), and some marshmallows on sticks.
Elf DJ Dance Party: Set up a little dance floor with some music playing in the background and the elf spinning tunes as a DJ.
Elf Bubble Bath: Use a small container or bowl filled with bubbles (safe for the surfaces) and have the elf take a bubble bath in a doll-sized tub.
Elf Reading Nook: Create a cosy reading corner with some miniature books and a tiny chair or cushion where the elf can be found enjoying a good book.
These are just ideas, don't stress the occasional missed night! Here are some quick and creative excuses for those mornings when your elf stays put:
Elf Jet Lag: The elf got caught up in a snowstorm on the way back from the North Pole and needed some extra rest.
Elves at Work: Your elf was busy helping Santa prep for the big night ahead. Those toys won't wrap themselves!
Magic Maintenance: Sometimes, magical creatures need a little recharge to keep the mischief going strong.
Elf Hide-and-Seek: Your elf thought it'd be hilarious to play a game of hide-and-seek and simply got carried away.
Elf Inspiration Trip: The elf went on a little mission to gather some fresh ideas for upcoming nights.
I hope these ideas help you with last minute ideas (and excuses)🎅✨
Danielle x
🎨 1. Fostering Creativity and Imagination
Arts and crafts provide a canvas for imagination to run wild. When children engage in creative activities, they are free to express themselves, experiment with colours, shapes, and textures, and bring their unique ideas to life. This fosters creativity and encourages them to think outside the box.
✂️2. Developing Fine Motor Skills
The intricate movements involved in arts and crafts, such as cutting, gluing, and drawing, help improve fine motor skills. These activities require precise coordination of the small muscles in the hands and fingers, which is crucial for tasks like writing, buttoning, and tying shoelaces.
🖍️3. Enhancing Problem Solving Abilities
Crafting often involves making decisions, solving problems, and following instructions. Whether it's figuring out how to assemble a craft kit or finding alternative solutions when things don't go as planned, children develop valuable problem solving skills through hands on activities.
✏️4. Boosting Self-Esteem and Confidence
Completing a craft project gives children a sense of accomplishment. When they see their creation come to life, they gain confidence in their abilities. This boost in self-esteem is essential for their overall development and encourages them to take on new challenges.
🎨5. Promoting Patience and Focus
Crafting requires patience and concentration. Children learn to pay attention to details, follow step-by-step instructions, and work diligently to achieve their desired outcome. These skills extend beyond the craft table and can be applied to various aspects of their lives. Also be mindful that not all children work in this way and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them if they aren’t interested in sitting still or following a set of instructions.
✂️6. Encouraging Social Interaction
Crafting can be a social activity that encourages interaction with peers, siblings, and parents. It's an excellent way for children to bond with others, share ideas, and collaborate on projects. It promotes teamwork and communication skills.
🖍️7. Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Engaging in creative activities can be therapeutic for children. It provides an outlet for emotions and helps reduce stress and anxiety. Crafting allows them to focus on the present moment, which can be especially beneficial in today's fast-paced world.
At Red Beau, we understand the importance of nurturing these valuable skills in children while ensuring that the experience is both enjoyable and eco-friendly. That's why we offer a wide range of themed craft kits and party bags designed to spark creativity and imagination.
Our craft kits are thoughtfully crafted with sustainable materials, aligning with our commitment to promoting a greener and more responsible planet. Explore our collection and discover the perfect kits to inspire your child's artistic journey.
Incorporate arts and crafts into your child's next party, playdate, or learning experience, and watch them flourish creatively while reaping the numerous developmental benefits. Let's make crafting fun, educational, and unforgettable for your child!
Danielle x
p.s. all children work differently, so if they just enjoy painting up their arms or cutting paper in to tiny pieces, they are still benefiting from the therapy of crafting 🙌.
]]>Remember to plan ahead but on the day just go with the flow! These activities will keep the kids engaged, entertained, and provide them with a memorable party experience.
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Have you ever been in a situation where your child suddenly announces they want a birthday party at the last minute? Don't panic! You can still throw a fantastic celebration with these helpful tips:
The most important thing is that your child feels loved and celebrated on their special day. Even with limited time, you can still organise a memorable and enjoyable birthday party for your little one.
Danielle x
]]>The natural, rustic theme is perfect for children who love the great outdoors, and is sure to create lasting memories for them. Here are some tips to help you organise a successful and memorable woodland themed birthday party:
Venue: Choose an outdoor venue, such as a park or a back garden, that is surrounded by nature and greenery. If you're unable to hold the party outside, consider setting up a woodland-themed backdrop inside.
Decorations: Use natural materials such as leaves, twigs, and branches to decorate the party area. You can also use paper cutouts of woodland animals and trees to create a festive atmosphere.
Food: Serve food that is inspired by the woodland theme, such as acorn-shaped sandwiches or orange, green and brown foods (chocolate counts - woohoo!). You can also serve a variety of fruits, such as berries and apples, to add a touch of nature to the menu. If the weather is suitable, you could cook marshmallows on a campfire for dessert.
Games and activities: Organise outdoor games and activities that are inspired by the woodland theme, such as a scavenger hunt, nature walk, or bird-watching. You can also set up an arts and crafts station where children can create their own woodland-themed creations.
Party favors: Give out woodland-themed party favors such as reusable water bottles and here at Red Beau we have Woodland themed seed & stencil packs, red squirrel craft kits and woodland themed scratch art! These items will not only keep the party theme alive, but they will also help reduce waste.
Remember to have fun and enjoy the party! The most important thing is that your child has a memorable and enjoyable birthday celebration surrounded by their friends and loved ones. With a little planning and creativity, you're sure to throw a successful and memorable woodland themed birthday party that your child will cherish for years to come.
Danielle x
]]>I love Christmas. The presents, the snow (if we get any), the music, and of course, the time spent with family and friends. I've noticed that my own kids really appreciate and look forward to the traditions we have on Christmas Eve. Are you wondering what to do on Christmas Eve with kids? Here are some great options to try some traditions that will create new memories for your kids.
Christmas Treats for friends & family
This is a lovely tradition that not only creates beautiful family memories to look back on (we always remember the things we did together more than the gifts we get each year), but it’s a valuable lesson in the importance of giving.
We make a few different easy sweet treats together and package them in to a pretty box or on a paper plate and we drop them around to several of our neighbours on Christmas Eve. Some neighbours live alone, so this small gesture can mean so much.
I have added a couple of our favourite recipes at the bottom, along with the most delicious sounding frangipane minced pied from Hunkington House, in case you want to give them a try.
Christmas Carols
Carols just give you the most amazing feeling at Christmas time and you don’t even need to sing if you don’t want to, you can just listen. Have a look at local Facebook groups or events as well as community whatsApp groups.
We are lucky enough to have carol singers that come to us every Christmas Eve collecting for charity, and we always open a fresh pack of chocolates to hand out at the end.
A new tree decoration every year
It may already be a bit late for this tradition, I’m sure the majority of people will already have decorated their Christmas tree, but I wanted to add it in anyway.
I love love love adding the decorations to the Christmas tree and having a memory behind each one. It’s even more special when you have children and you can talk to them about each memory as you go.
Christmas Eve Box
This is a relatively new tradition that has really gained traction in recent years, in fact here at Red Beau we have pack that is ready made to fill your re-useable box each year, without plastic waste.
The box is a little pre-Christmas collection of goodies to give on Christmas eve, often containing hot chocolate, Christmas book, games & crafts. It spreads the Christmas fun out a little bit more.
New PJ’s
A very simple tradition, but it is lovely to wake up on Christmas morning in new pyjamas. They look great on Christmas morning photos too!
Christmas Lights
A great idea for ramping up the Christmas spirit is to go for a walk or drive to see the neighbourhood Christmas lights. You can almost guarantee that somebody will have gone overboard with the decorations! The kids will love it.
Reindeer Food
You don’t want to risk Santa flying past your house, so it’s a good idea to sprinkle a little reindeer food outside, just to make sure.
This is a great tradition for younger kids to take part in. It’s important to make sure all of the contents are wildlife friendly, just in case the reindeer decide to share, so here is a super simple recipe to make your own.
Gingerbread Houses
Buy a ready made pack, make your own from scratch or simply build a house from square biscuits! The kids won’t care how the house is made, they just love the decorating & eating 😁
Make sure you have icing (royal icing is best) and plenty of colourful sweets and everyone will be happy.
Movie night
Christmas Chronicles? Elf? Arthur Christmas? Tonight is the perfect night to snuggle under a blanket with a hot chocolate and watch a Christmas film by the fire.
The point of Christmas Eve traditions is to create new memories that your children will look back on with fondness and joy. At the same time, they express something meaningful about your family and values, and they instill a sense of tradition in the children who are growing up with them.
RECIPES
Cinder toffee / hokey pokey
My favourite recipe is by Nigella Lawson and it’s super easy to make and most people like it. A winner for the Christmas plates for the neighbours.
recipe here
Frangipane mince pies 🤤
Created by the amazing baker Caroline Bailey at Huntington House kitchen, I cannot wait to make this recipe!
Gingerbread house
There is absolutely no shame in buying in a ready made house, but if you did want to make your own, then I love this recipe from Simply Recipes.
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I have also created a handy map to make it super easy to find each attraction.
1. Gulliver's Dino & Farm park - Milton Keyes
Gulliver's world is set up for younger children and is bursting full of dinosaurs that they can get up close to and enjoy.
Adults & children £9, children under 90cm free
2. Dino falls adventure golf - Manchester
I think this attraction sounds like so much fun! Perfect for all of the family to enjoy dinosaurs while playing crazy golf.
The dinosaur golf is in a great place full of other attractions too, so you can really make the most of a family day out.
Adults £9, Children £7 and families £22
3. Dino Park - Dumfries
Now this is a hidden gem that a fiend told me about. Loads of fun for kids and the staff are amazing and very knowledgeable about dinosaurs.
Not only do you have a dino park to get up close and personal with replica dinosaurs, but there is a whole dinosaur themed soft play area!
Prices start from £4 for adults and £8 for children.
4. Roarr Dinosaur adventure -Norfolk
This is an all rounder perfect day out for dinosaur fanatics!
Dino trail, splash park, indoor soft play, dino shows and crazy golf! They'll be exhausted but happy after a day at Roarr.
Adults & children £17.95 pre-booking recommended.
5. National showcaves centre - Wales
Powered solely by hydro and solar power, this awesome set of caves is also the setting for over 200 life size models of Dinosaurs and definitely worth a visit!
Adults £17, children £14 and under 2s free.
6. Dinosaur Isle - Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is famous for the vast amound of fossils that are often found on its beaches. Unsurprisingly, they have created a fabulous collection in their own museum.
Definitely worth a visit if you are able.
7. World museum, Liverpool
Liverpool hosts an amazing array of museums, including the world museum which is host to a spectacular display of dinosaurs and a popular attraction in the area.
8. National History Museum - London
I probably don't need to point this one out if you have dino loving kids, as it is definitely one of the better publicised attractions. It needs to make the list though, because it is just so good!
9. National museum of Scotland - Edinburgh
My children really loved this museum. The dinosaurs are in a magnificent room and a feast for the eyes, from floor to ceiling. It's also really easy to walk to if you're staying in Edinburgh.
10.Crystal Palace dinosaurs - London
A little bit different to the other attractions, the Crystal Palace park is home to 30+ dinosaur sculptures built from 1884. They were the first ever attempt at full scale replicas, which are now seen to be quite inaccurate of course.
They are all Grade 1 listed and regularly maintained to keep the history of the park alive.
Don't forget to check out the clickable Google map here
I recommend that you always pre-book to save disappointment, and I hope you make it to come of these wonderful locations with your little dino fans.
Danielle x
If you need an activity for the rainy days, there is the Green Dino subscription box full crafts, games and activities for children aged 3 to 8.
Just choose Green Dino at the top of the page. The first box is *free and no plastic tat in sight.
*Ts & Cs apply
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BALLOON ALTERNATIVES
1) Paper Garlands
These are not only cost effective and dramatic, but they come in lots of different shapes and colours and are easy to just buy and stick up. They also fold down in to a very small shape to keep and store for another time.
Available in party stores or online market places like Amazon. Just search for paper garlands.
2) Pom poms
Most people have made pom poms in their childhood, you know, with the 2 pieces of cardboard cut in to donuts! It’s a fun project for kids to get involved in and they’re soft and colourful too.
A little trick that I like to do, is bend a wire coat hanger in to a square and wrap the wool around top to bottom many times. When you have built up a good amount of layers, tie wool tightly around the length in regular intervals then just cut in between them! Et voila - lots of little pom poms done in one go.
3) Easy DIY bunting
Any bunting is going to look good, but this is a fun little craft that your child could probably do on their own.
It requires a length of string, some glue and a pack of colourful paper cake cases.
Just flatten out the paper case and fold in half. Apply a little glue and stick over the string 🙌.
4) Crepe paper streamers
Another simple and cheap ‘buy and use’ option, is crepe paper streamers. Use on their own or combine a few colours together. You can drape them on tables, from ceiling fixtures or along the wall like bunting.
Simple but effective.
5) String lights
A simple way to jazz up some fairy lights, is to add paper cake cases. I mean, you’ve already bought some for the bunting, so you might as well!
Cut a little cross in to the bottom of each case and poke the light through the paper. I used a string of battery powered lights that I already had in the house for this project.
My daughter loved them!
6) Paper balls
Super easy - they arrive flat and all you do is open them out and attach them using the paper clips included - bish, bash, bosh.
Colourful and effective. Probably the best alternative to balloons out of all of these suggestions.
7) Tissue confetti
Easy to buy in bulk and ready made, or use a craft punch to make your own. Tissue confetti is a much better alternative to plastic table confetti 😁.
So there we have it, 7 alternative birthday decorations that are not only cheap, but plastic free and effective.
Danielle x
If you try any of these, I'd love to see how they turn out! Tag me on Facebook fb.me/redbeaupartybox or Instagram @redbeaubox and I'll share your pics.
I have also created some handy ready made tags for you to just print out and use for the Baking kit, Camp fire kit, Den building kit and DIY dolls house. Just click here to have it emailed straight to you.
Danielle x
]]>Decorations
You can easily spend hours searching through Pinterest and making fiddly little decorations to decorate the party room, but the truth is that kids often don’t notice these things and it just adds to the growing ‘to do’ list before the party day. I find that big and bold make the most impact, and you can still get stuck in with a pair of scissors if you want!
Get some crepe streamers, they are easy to get hold of and eco-friendly, plus it goes a long way. Choose greens, blacks and browns for a jungle, prehistoric feel. Add in some big palm leaves cut from brown and green paper to go that step further, you can make those nice and big too.
To decorate the floors, walls and table – I have created a dinosaur footprint template for you to use. Either print directly on to the coloured card and cut it out or use as a template to draw around. If you use brown paper as table covers, green dinosaur footprints down the middle would look really effective.
Games
Classic children's party games are tried and tested, so I find that tweaking them to fit your theme means that everybody knows where they stand as they will recognise what they need to do pretty quickly.
Dinosaur corners – print out 4 different dinosaur pictures and stick them in each corner of the room. Play the music and get the children to dance in the middle but when the music stops, they have to choose a corner to run to. Find a helper who is looking away when the music stops and ask them to say a corner out loud and all of the children in that corner are out. Repeat until only 1 or 2 children are left in and they are the winners.
Pin the horn on the dinosaur – Draw out a simple dinosaur and get your child to colour it in, but don’t draw one of the horns (triceratops would be a good option for this as it has horns on it’s head). Fold a piece of paper into quarters or eights and cut out the shape of a horn, this will give you multiple horns all the same size. Now all you need to do is blindfold the children and use blu tack to stick the horn on to the picture!
Dinosaur egg hunt – Use fillable eggs and add little prizes or sweets and hide them all over the venue. I have the same plastic easter eggs that I have re-used over and over, or you can also get card/papier mache eggs online if you would prefer to avoid the plastic. Set the kids off on a dinosaur egg hunt, but ask them to add them to a big basket at the end so that they can be shared out equally (some children may end up with loads and others with none otherwise).
Pinata – A simple dinosaur egg would be perfect if you wanted a DIY project of papier mache on a balloon, but if that fills you with dread, you can get almost any kind of pinata online now. Fill it with craft bits (crayon packs etc), paper aeroplanes, sweets or little wooden toys to avoid the plastic tat. It’s so much fun and the children love it. My top tips would be to make sure that the rest of the children are well out of the way, start with the youngest or smallest first and everybody has 2 hits each. When it gets to the bigger kids or older siblings, let them smash away and once it bursts open, they can all dive in to get some goodies.
Party bags
There are so many eco-friendly alternatives if you are creative with the party favours. I found some great dinosaur crayons on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/224300805/dinosaur-shaped-crayons-dinosaur-party?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=dinosaur+cryons&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1&bes=1
That could be paired up with colouring pages. Red Beau also has 2 great options which are the dinosaur scratch art packs and the colour in dinosaur finger puppets. Just check that whatever you buy doesn’t get packaged up in lots of plastic packaging or it completely defeats the point and your efforts to reduce plastic are wasted. All of Red Beau’s packaging is compostable, so don’t worry there. We also have some great paper party bags with personalised stickers, just add cake and you are ready to go!
Thank you so much for reading to the end, I hope you are inspired to create a magical dinosaur party and to help you on your way, here is a free dinosaur party invitation for you to download and print out (personal use only copyright Red Beau 2020).
Danielle @redbeau x
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Having a child with a winter birthday can seem like it limits your party options. You have the busy Christmas period to contend with, the cold and wet weather and it’s an expensive time of year too! So to help you get organised and throw out some of that stress, here are our top 6 and a half tips for a successful winter birthday party.
...And the ½ tip? Don’t forget the parents! – Providing a hot cuppa, hot chocolate or even a mulled wine (Gin, Prosecco....) for the parents braving the cold to get their children to your party would be nice and warming and will definitely be appreciated!
So as you can see, there are plenty of options for a winter birthday party if you follow our 6 (and a half!) tips, and I'm always here for a chat if you need more ideas or advice.
Do you have a theme in mind? We'd love to design some party bags to go with your theme, or you can check out our pre-made party bag fillers here.
Danielle @ Red Beau x
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Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands because we’ve got the answer!
Here is the perfect 5 step guide to relieve your worries and have the party running smoothly and calmly from start to finish.
Step 1 – Timing is everything
This is a double whammy because not only is it best to choose a meal time (so over lunch or tea) so that you can incorporate food into the party but unless you have some sort of structured entertainment then it is a good idea to keep a house party to 1 ½ hours.
I find that a lot of parents worry that the games they have planned will not keep the children entertained for long enough but if the party is 1 ½ hours, then they can happily play games for an hour and then spend the rest of the time eating.
Step 2 – Entertainment
If you feel confident, you can organise and plan some traditional party games like pass the parcel, musical statues etc. If you are more of an introvert or just don’t have the time to plan, then it would be a good idea to book a children’s entertainer, craft party or book a bouncy castle if it’s summertime and the forecast is good.
Step 3 – Boundaries
Make sure that you block off any areas that you don’t want the children to enter. You can do this by putting a ribbon across the stairs with a polite sign, shutting doors but also by briefing the kids with some ground rules when they arrive. They will be kept occupied for most of the time, so this shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Step 4 – Decorations
Choose a theme and run with it! In my opinion, this is one of the biggest advantages of having a party at home because you have the time to put up decorations in your own time and in advance (putting up decorations takes longer than you think).
And finally, Step 5 – Food
Think about the age of the children, they usually don’t eat as much as you’d think and I often see parents grossly overestimate how much food they will need. If you are opting for hot food, make sure you have enough oven shelves to cook it all at once, or allow for the extra time to do it in batches.
If you opted for an afternoon party, then why not do afternoon tea? Put on a spread of mini sandwiches and cakes, but always check for any special dietary requirements because you don’t want anybody to feel left out.
So as you can see, in just 5 easy steps you can save yourself from any more sleepless nights worrying about the party.
If you’d like to find out more about a fully planned out craft party by Red Beau, just drop us a message and we’ll be happy to have a chat.
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