Here is a Commissioned Guest Post which looks at some lovely ideas for a children’s party, something I am thinking about with Miss A’s birthday coming up in May.
The clocks have gone forward which now means that we can enjoy longer days and lighter evenings. This is good news for those looking to host a child’s party, as instead of the mess, clutter and limited space indoors, a party can be held outdoors in your garden. This is often a less stressful and more enjoyable prospect that an indoor party as your child’s guests can be as noisy and messy as they like, without the fear of breaking expensive homewares or causing a mess. From décor to drinks, discover all you need to create the perfect children’s al fresco party with this handy checklist.
Lighting
This is an often overlooked, though important aspect of a children’s garden party. As the sun goes down, lighting is effective in creating a warm atmosphere and also doubles as a decorative feature. One option for lighting for early evening is a solar-powered fixture. As well as working for your party, this is also an investment and can become a permanent feature in your garden. A range of solar lights are available – a fitting on the side of your house, especially near an entrance, is practical, whilst solar stakes look pretty lining a path or driveway.
You can also add colour to your garden with a string of outdoor fairy lights. Go for either coloured bulbs, or white bulbs with coloured shades, which kids will love.
As there will be children about, remember to double check the safety of any electrical wiring and keep plugs and wires out of children’s reach.
Decoration
Bunting is ideal for a child’s party, and can make a huge difference to an outdoor space. Making your own is easy using either scraps of fabric or coloured paper. Sew or stick triangular cut-outs onto a length of string, and hang from trees, the garden fence or side of your house. Choose a colour theme and apply it to your party décor to avoid making the space look overly-cluttered. Balloons, coloured napkins, paper streamers hanging from trees and bright tableware can all help tie your theme together.
Games
Many children’s party games are best played outdoors. Classics like musical chairs, pass the parcel and blind man’s buff are all made more enjoyable when played in a large garden.
Another kid’s favourite is hit the piñata. Buy or make a piñata, using paper mache and crepe paper, fill with sweets and suspend from a tree. Children then take it in turns to hit the vessel with a stick and are rewarded with sweets!
Craft activities are also a great way to keep the kids entertained at a party, without the worry of a messy house! Buy a couple of large sheets of white card, provide water-based paints and aprons and let the kids get creative.
Food and drink
Children can be fussy when it comes to food, though some much-loved favourites are considered unhealthy. Give classics like pizza, chips and sweet treats a healthy make-over by doing away with the junk and using plenty of veggies.
A homemade or shop-bought pizza base, spread with tomato sauce and covered with pepper, courgette, onion and sweetcorn makes a filling dish. Replace greasy chips with homemade potato wedges, using both sweet and baking potatoes. A batch of oaty flapjacks and muffins provide a sweet treat and will help boost kids’ energy! Fizzy drinks are usually full of unnatural additives, so opt for fizzy water livened up with elderflower cordial, or fresh lemon and mint.
Some really lovely ideas, better get my bunting out!
Thank you for reading
Great ideas for a fun party at home but don’t you find that sometimes you just run out of time to get all the preparations done?
Some great ideas you have here, i love some of the party decorations you have suggested, especially the lights in the garden, most people overlook things like this. Party games are always a must as it keep the children entertained.
Thank you for sharing this. Arranging fresh flowers and greenery will add a pop of color and a natural fragrance. An outdoor setting is great for any gathering of friends, family, neighbors or work associates and can be used for graduation parties, weddings, baby or bridal showers, company picnics, reunions or even neighborhood block parties.
If you want to arrange outdoor birthday parties for your kids in the garden then decoration should be attractive and you can do something innovative like you can hang your photos everywhere in the garden.
Love bunting! Can’t have an outdoor party without it!