Really fab craft activity idea wanted for party for girls age 4/5

[BonsoirAnna]

Please? Money no object (within reason).

this was fab

We did a cooking craft party for our boys and did candle making which both boys and girls loved.

We also made our own pizza, decorated fairy cakes (which was V popular) and did Shrinkles and

these

clay/model magic type thing

I did a make your own pizza thing one year for dd; they seemed to prefer drawing pizzas on the paper plates as it turned out.

Icing/decorating fairy cakes or bisuits is usually a winner ime (especially for that age group)

My DD went to a party where they decorated T shirts - all plain white T shirts and lots of fabric pens (some sparkly, some pearlised). When they'd finished they hung them up to dry and took them home at the end of the party.

Also think decorating fairy cakes would work well with lots of icing pens/sprinkles etc.

Decorate your own party bag?
With fabric stickers (shapes, letters) and stick-on jewels from Yellow Moon. This was so successful we did it two years running. We made really simple felt bags, but I'm sure you could buy some, probably from Yellow Moon or similar.

Cooking is a no-go (as have silly small French kitchen).

But have very large table in dining-cum-play room.

I like the decorate own party bags idea... and am now remembering some felt handbags in a craft shop that can be decorated with felt flowers, beads etc...

The first year I cut out lots of felt shapes and gave the kids glue. Second year there were three times as many kids so we just used stick-on things - so much easier all round. Then we filled the bags while they were having tea ready for them to take home.

Yes, stick-on jewels and flowers would be better than glue, I agree. I want to make it relatively easy (my DD is only 4.3 and it will be her party) but also want them to make something lovely they can feel proud of. And it is just so much cheaper to do a DIY craft party than to hire an entertainer that I don't mind spending a reasonable amount.

Could you do this on a bigger scale?

Take a photo of each child when they arrve - full body shot and print on to A4 Card then give them a large variety of fabrics, coloured paper, sequins etc and some of these you understand what I mean - stencils of tops, skirts, dresses etc. Then get them to make an outfit for themselves.

Twims - I think that's a fab idea but I think they are still a little bit young for it - their scissor skills aren't red hot yet . Next year, though

Could you not help with the cutting the 4 year old I look after loves this and yes her cutting isn't fabulous but she loves to see the end result of what shes made.

decorate a photo frame is a good one too. buy cheap photo frsmes (assume no Ikea in Paris? as they do 3 for £1) lots of pretty bits to stick on. take group shot of children at party, print out, and put photo in frame as 'party bag' this went down very well with my DD and friends.

China painting (with pens!) - have a look at Yellow Moon / Baker Ross - loads of fun stuff. They also have lovely felt bags that can be decorated - maybe a mug and a bag to take it home in? Have you got time to order stuff from the UK?

build a bear seems easy enough but not ordered from them before.

hats?

I bought a whole load of ceramic unicorns off ebay, the proper paints from baker ross and the kids loved it

Thanks everybody for the ideas . DD now says she wants to invite boys as well as girls, so it probably won't be handbag decorating this year.

Anna - have a look anyway - you can get lots of animal-themed things to stick on to bags - my DS would still like them (and he loved doing a mug with those paint pens when they did it at holiday club)