dd wants cooking party for 8th bday - anyone done one - how ?

[coffeepot]

The title says it all really. Dd wants a cookery party for her 8th bday - wants to
invite 6 or 7 friends and do it at home. Her idea seems to be to make sweets but I'm not
sure if that would work. Anyone done one? How did it go? Any ideas as to what we can do?

never done one, but sounds fun!

could do own pizza toppings for tea, - have prepared bases and lots of topings to choose- while these are cooking decorate biscuits, again ones you have already made

could do fudge/peppermint creams maybe, or buns/fairy cakes too maybe

perhaps a colouring activity while you clear up mess - eg decorate a tub to take your cooking home in - save marge tubs maybe?

maybe too many maybes!

I'm thinking of doing one for ds 9th bday. Thought we might make pizzas and sausage rolls, which they then eat for tea, and decorate biscuits which they take home instead of party bags.

Also like Panda's idea of peppermint creams -- better than fudge as don't need cooking.

Also thought I might get some white aprons from Baker Ross which they could decorate with fabric pens, but will then be straying from my pledge not to buy any "stuff" in 2008.

Agree with pizzas and biscuits. Cupcakes are easy too. Strawberries dipped in chocolate? Smoothies? What about easy desserts like banana splits, knickerbocker glory type things?

My dd had one last year (at outside cookery school not at home). They cooked and ate their lunch and the woman who ran it made a birthday cake with candles (chocolate and gooey, gorgeous).

She gave them all the recipes printed out with v. simple instructions to take home.

They made fresh pasta, meatballs and sauce. I can't remember the pudding but they also made fridge cake to take home.

They had aprons provided and everything.

Ideas to adapt there?

I did it for DD

We did pizzas (I used crumpets as bases)

Then Ice cream sundaes (lots of crap & E-nossprinkles)

They had a ball & did hama beads while the pizzas were cooking

I know Pizza Express do kids parties where they go along and make their own pizzas - am thinking of doing if for dds 9th birthday.

Ds (nearly 6) has decided he would like to do this.

I think if we hire a hall for 1-2 hours DH (a chef) could do the 'cooking' with them.

Am not sure if 6 year old boys want to do this but if we mix it up and have boys and girls it could be fun.

Am going to get the aprons from Baker Ross as advertised on Mumsnet and need to think of a menu.

Am thinking of mini meatballs and homemade pasta and homemade icecream (DH has a proper icecream maker) and biscuits to decorate and take home.

They can decorate their aprons while things cook.

Great idea or not really?

think it is a fab idea Calzone, maybe your menu is a little ambitious to be done in bulk - I can imagine doing meatballs with a couple of children, but not a whole party's worth iyswim - unless you have lots of extra adult help

we hired a hall for DD's craft party last year - did painting janjars as tealight holders, decorating white handled bags as the party bag, icing biscuits, decorating a photo frame and making choc truffles, all activities set up at once so children could move round from one to the next - was a joint party so 2 sets of parents and did have lots of help though

Dd2 has had a couple - for the first (prob 8th bday) the invitations were attached to wooden spoons. Parents were invited to stay for a drink and sampling later.
I set up 2 tables in the kitchen, previously weighed out stuff forfairy cakes, printed some pretty recipe cards and kids worked in 2s - bought cheap bowls etc from Asda. Another mum and my mil stayed to help. We did games while food was cooking then back to kitchen for cookie decoration and making nibbles for parents - easy to put together canapes. I got some of that plastic tablecloth fabric and made aprons for everyone - they kept them as part of goodie bag.

Second was when dd was 11 - pasta making (I made the dough beforehand) and whacking out pizza dough I'd made earlier then adding toppings. Had all sorts of stuffed crusts etc. Did games too and they took some spaghetti they'd made home.

WHilst they're waiting for stuff to cook get them to decorate the tablecloth (large roll of lining paper)

hey with a little imagination you can make anything! i do cooking parties in Carlisle as a job and i can assure you there are thousands of easy to follow/prepare recipes out there. Truffles are great for children to make - easy to roll in coloured sprinkles and the chocolate mix is easy to work with. don't be so defeatist! if you're worried to do it yourself get a pro in! there's plenty of us out there and if we're making your life easier and the children have a great time, then surely we're money well spent! www.fantasweetscookingparties.synthasite.com i have deliberately made my prices comparable to a bowling party or swimming party AND i bring all ingredients and equipment with me.

Wow!! These sound great, I may pinch some of these ideas for my ds, he's only 4 at the min, but loves cooking, good luck!!

My initial thought was no-cook food and sweets would be easy enough, but you could bulk-cook or stagger them... the possibilities, as they say, are endless!!!

I know its way past your party now but thought I would mention I recently used a really brilliant company called Rascals Fayre in Bristol www.rascalsfayre.co.uk who delivered everything I needed to run a childrens cooking party even all the ingredients were ready weighed (phew!!). Also the kids take all the equipment they've used home and the cookies they've baked so no need for party bags. They recommend ages 6 up but my 5 year old had no problems. They also supplied the invitations and a leaflet before hand which gave me numerous tips and ideas. It was fantastic. In fact I know of one little boy who still gets his apron out everyday to help his mum!!

there's a company sell kits that give the kids souvenir and stuff to save you buying goody bags too. i'll search for the website. think i can remember the name.

cottagecooks.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=85

kits are about £10 per child.

includes loads of stuff though and different themes for different ages.

hi you could also try www.craftychefs.co.uk great kits, aprons etc and very reasonable

I did this for my daughter's 7th birthday, the time went so quickly! You need to be super organised and have everything weighed and all the equipment to hand. My husband spent the whole of the party in the kitchen, washing-up and passing me stuff!

We made pizzas using a split pitta bread, cheese straws, chocolate muffins and ice cream sundaes. The cocktails we made were a big hit. Using a tall tumbler glass slowly pour in lemonade, fruit juice and grenadine, they all settle into distinct layers. I bought paper umbrellas from the pound shop to decorate them.

Party bags can follow the theme, cookie cutter, buy a set and split it. Also wooden spoon and cake sprinkles.

Its fun but hectic!

We made Cornish pasties and clotted cream scones and had cups of tea from my best china!

My DD and her friends (age 11) all seemed to have a great time.