Shirley's Party Advice Part 7 - how did they all get so big...

[stealthsquiggle]

Part 7 - link to previous one to follow!

madrigals what sort of theme are you thinking of? What is your DS into?

nonsense I did fairies and pirates for DD 4th birthday and everyone enjoyed it where is your party being held? I can't think of much for a circus party - I reckon they would need to be a bit older to learn circus skills etc

I'm currently planning an under the sea party for DD who will be 5. I have lots of ideas but any thoughts welcome :-)

nonsense [[http://www.birthdaypartyideas4kids.com/circus-birthday-theme.htm here]] are some great circus ideas, I'm sure they could be adapted to any age group.
Other theme suggestions - lego, sports, zoo or safar, Western (ie cowboy/cowgirl) or explorers?

I'll be holding it in a local village hall, which has access to a grassy area and a playground. I'm really not feeling circus. But I haven't researched so I may get into it if I follow the link.
I know that a lot of DS friends are girls, so the princess aspect works well but I'd be doing the princess part for DD but like I said, with no friends, I will feel like I'm forcing the princess angle which is putting me off. At least circus is unisex.

Under the sea: pin the bubble on the fish - a blue plastic tablecloth (or fish/sea themed one) and cut outs of fish to place the bubbles in front of.
A fishing game - paddling/ball pool full of balls and plastic ducks/fish to catch (magnets will be good here) and the one who catches the 'winning fish' gets a prize, or just a prize for each one.

I'm quite liking this underwater theme..............

Just thought I'd report back on my dinosaurs party. We had 7 children at our house. I had planned / prepared loads including a pass the parcel with challenges in each layer and pin the tail on the dinosaur. But.didn't use them in the end. First we did decorating dinosaur masks (from a book from amazon) and decorating plain party bags (Baker Ross) using letter and dinosaur stamps. Then we went outside and freed some dinosaurs from ice. These were tiny dinosaurs from a box of 48 from elc frozen in plastic cups. Each child had one and various wooden implements to.bash the ice with. Plus some warm water to help a bit.Then lunch. After lunch they obviously needed to let off steam, so we played dinosaur stomp. Tie balloon to one leg, have to pop other balloons without getting own popped.They loved this but we hadn't enough balloons blown up to play again

part 2 - then upstairs to find pair of dinosaur previously freed from ice. Next game was most popular. I had put one mini dinosaur each in a baking tray and covered in jelly. I divided them into teams and gave swimming goggles and they had to get dinosaurs out using only mouth. They loved this and put more in so they could take it out again!
Then some more crafts that although sold as 5+ were a bit tricky and needed adult help.
I think that was it. Definitely.a success!

Sounds great cheminotte with loads going on! Bet everyone was exhausted by the end!

madrigals yes was planning to download that song and a few more! Under the sea (Little Mermaid) 'Beyond the Sea' - Frank Sinatra
Sailing - Rod Stewart, Yellow Submarine too!... any more???

Sounds obvious but has everyone searched pinterest for their themes?
That's what I tend to do

I have googled sea songs and found loads!! Big Ship Sails is one of my DD's faves though!

Currently listening to Underwater Love By Smoke City!

Madrigals it was a 7th birthday party so 5 x 6/7 year olds and then ds2 and a friend aged 3 and 4.
Funnily enough I saw one of the mums in the playground today and she said her daughter was very calm after the party whereas she is often overexcited. It was 50/50 boys and girls which might have helped. The girls tended to spend longer on the craft activities.

I always use pinterest, but only after I have found my theme, but that's the bit I'm struggling with....
I do love coming on here though and bouncing ideas off of everyone. It's lots of fun when things get going

DD1 birthday is in the summer and on her 3rd birthday only about 6 could come, which I felt sad about :( so on her 4th birthday I waited til Sept and did it which worked out better.

Nonsense this is a good site for ideas...

www.karaspartyideas.com/

You could just do pirates if your DD is happy to be a pirate too? Rainbow party, animal party, fairytale party, Dinosaur party, Teddy Bears Picnic...

I do love the planning stage more than the party itself

I'm sure DD would be more than happy to be a pirate but DS will have girls from class who won't. Apparently, 5yo girls can be very stubborn difficult ......
I will check out that site, thank you

Ah yes I agree with you about 5 year old girls!

BUT have they not seen Tinkerbell & the Pirate Fairy movie?

Where is everybody?

Hope everything is ok Blatherskite / Doctorswife / Stealthsqiggle?

Party planning going ok thanks Madrigals, there is plenty of choice for an under the sea theme! At the moment I am hovering between the thinking stage and the doing stage when I will have to actually make decisions and spend money!
I'm sorry I've forgotten but have you had your party yet?

Party planning going ok thanks Madrigals, there is plenty of choice for an under the sea theme! At the moment I am hovering between the thinking stage and the doing stage when I will have to actually make decisions and spend money!
I'm sorry I've forgotten but have you had your party yet?

Sorry for the double post there!

Yes 3 is maybe a bit young for too many organised games - I usually still do pass the parcel though (with sweets/chocs between each layer)

Are you able to be outside and just have things to play with & burn off some energy?

there are bound to be charlie and lola printables on line in case any of the children like colouring. Are you doing pink milk and biscuits?