Kids on the coast

A few of us at Kids on the Coast have kids with winter birthdays. We were chatting about how it can be a tricky time of year to host a party and so we started asking on our facebook page for some winter party ideas. ‘Like’ our facebook page so you can be part of our discussions. It’s a great way to keep in the loop.

Here are some of the great ideas from our creative readers:

Katie: “Both my boys were born in June, now they are older we might look at taking them to Ten Pin Bowling parties, or a huge indoor play centre. At home maybe a sleepover for the older kids, movies, popcorn, games and everyone can stay warm inside.”

Jodi: “For my June girl I have had a pool party at an indoor swim centre.”

Melissa: “My daughter’s birthday is in August so we always seem to convert the garage into a big painting room and the girls paint there own canvas we tidy up and turn the disco lights on and have a disco. You can make it very economical too.”

Dani: “For my son’s 1st birthday we had a western/cowboy party. Everyone came rugged up in their checked shirts, jeans & boots. Each child got a bandana and a straw cowboy hat. I made what looked like loot money bags, we even had a great big teepee & bales of hay to sit on.

Sarah: “I reckon winter’s the best time of year to go to a fun park. It’s not as hot, so you can last longer and there aren’t as many people, so you don’t have to line up very long and you get to squeeze more rides into your day.”

Angela: “I’m going to plan a party at the movies. The kids can eat all the lollies and popcorn in the cinema, they can see the latest movie with their friends, and then they can come back to our place for the cake and a play.”

Naomi: “We just did a Myth Busters party at home. My husband was the lab technician in his white lab coat. He did a whole lot of experiments with the kids, to try and bust some myths. I don’t know who loved it more; him or the kids! I did a Heston Blumenthal and created all sorts of party food that looked like experiments gone wrong! It was fabulous.”

Corinne: “We hired a magician to come and entertain the kids. He kept them amused for ages. Our party was full of 4-year-olds, but I think kids of all ages would love it.”

Rosie: “My daughter wants to invite a few friends horse riding for her winter birthday party.”

Mel: “Set up an indoor camping party. Make tents and cubbies with sleeping bags and camp chairs. Make a pretend camp fire with coloured cello and sticks. Have toasted marshmallows. If you know anyone that can play a tune on the guitar you can have camp fire songs. You can even black out a room and have some fun with torches. For craft ideas the children could make their own star to blu-tac on the ceiling.”

Jane: “I took my daughter and her friends strawberry picking. It was so much fun. We had a little party there too, eating all the delicious strawberries and a BBQ lunch.”

Melissa: “My 8 yr old went to a masterchef party recently and loved it! They made schnitzels, pastry ant cupcakes which were put onto a tower and became the birthday cake. Then they got to set the table with organza ribbons on chairs and candles and shells on the table; then they all sat down and ate it. It was fabulous!!”

We hope we’ve given you some good ideas for your winter party and to the readers who offered their suggestions: a big thank you from the Kids on the Coast team and all our readers!