children's parties: tips to make a children's party a party for everyone
Only now that we have children do we understand the of treats and parties. We enjoy it when the birthday boy bounces into class because he can hand out and as the birthday babe the shining center is on her day. A children's birthday should include a fantastic birthday party and we just love a party. But, and you can immediately put this in your pocket as a first tip: how nice is it to be able to throw a 'birthday party' during the holidays (while it is not your birthday at all? That's right, those kids of ours find it unforgettable. These and Then some more ideas to make it an unforgettable party, you're welcome:
Arranged immediately, even if you book the children's party at Move LabThe very best tips for kids who'd rather do something than sit still. Looking for a children's party that's a little different than cake and musical chairs? Then Move Lab at Move Amsterdam is a great tip. In this interactive lab, children playfully delve into the world of mobility, technology, and design. They build, test, discover, and above all, get to do a lot themselves—perfect for curious kids who love using their hands.
The party will be hosted, the birthday boy or girl will receive extra attention, and all children will go home with a fun Move Lab surprise. The party will conclude at De Drie Graefjes, one of the city's best cake shops. Cake (or cupcakes), lemonade, and happy faces guaranteed.
Also fun: Move Lab is open more often during school holidays and regularly hosts workshops and special events. So keep an eye on the calendar and Instagram.
The best idea, of course, is to outsource that party! Yes, you do need the space (in every sense of the word), but if so, let All Class Kitchen Art Events be your answer: with one of the most tasteful caterers, you can also book themed children's parties. And that, folks, is the ultimate tip for all ages. There's the most beautiful costumes, music, craft supplies (truly everything has been thought of and you can use it all up), entertainment, (delicious!) food and drinks, and you really don't have to think about a thing (do it!). You can pick up all the materials in Zoeterwoude-dorp the day before the party. Earlier is also possible: just make a request. After the party, you simply return everything (you'll pay a reasonable deposit for the beautiful items). And if you want to expand, for example by inviting photographer Danielle, that's certainly possible upon request (we'd love to know). Here you can book and read more about All Class' Circus parties
The first tip is – of course we want to say – one that will really benefit you: flexible pick-up times. Excuse me? Yes, it works like this: tell the parents that they can pick up their child between time X and time X, with the latter time being the end of the party. For example, within a period of one hour. Not all parents will do that and simply arrive at the end time, but for the parents who do, you really get to know them in a fun, relaxed and well-defined way. Plus: you avoid that moment when everyone is in front of you at the same time. So in concrete terms, it could look like this: your preschooler, toddler or pre-adolescent is having a party between 14 p.m. and 16 p.m. and that the parents are welcome between 16 p.m. and 17 p.m. That's a great time for a drink with the parents while the kids can enjoy a nice and fun ending. Success assured!
We know them too, those kids who invite the entire school class to their party. Didn't see us. And it really isn't necessary! It is a very normal, common 'rule' that you invite the number of kids according to the age of the birthday boy or girl: if your man turns 4, then 4 children will come. Your little girl 5? Then she can invite 5 friends.
It is also a persistent taboo that such a party should last a whole (afternoon) day. Are you crazy! It's really much more fun for everyone, for you but also for the kids, if it's a short, crazy party. One big peak instead of those tired kids who are actually over their abilities. For 4 and 5 (and 6 is also participating) year olds, two or two and a half hours is a really long time. And we would never make it longer than 3,5 or 4 hours anyway.
It's different for everyone, but 'ours' was, thanks to the friends at daycare, 4 years old when he really wanted to throw a party. And was also bouncingly enthusiastic about it. And now that bouncing is exactly the whole 'problem': those little kids of 4 or 5 years old mainly bounce or cry from being overstimulated. That's why a 2-hour party is really more than enough. In addition, we would like to help you come up with activities of up to 15 minutes.
This means that for a 2-hour party, you need 8 simple activities. Not too difficult! The first 'activity' is eating a cake. Number 2 is hiding the presents for the birthday boy/girl who then has to look for them. Then you can, for example, look for pebbles (15 minutes) and then paint them (15 minutes). Those were the first four. Then fifteen minutes of snacking, fifteen minutes of playing in the playground, fifteen minutes of going inside for a drink, fifteen minutes... One of the tips below perhaps? Although they are often too much fun to do so briefly (but fortunately there will be years of children's parties for kids that can really keep the attention for a little longer, so keep this list handy in the coming years!)
One with a high cuddly factor: let each child make a portrait of his or her favorite cuddly toy. Buy a few small easels, a set of aprons and some pots of paint and convert the living room into a studio. Because a very first party can be quite exciting, it is nice for the birthday boy and all the guests to have their favorite cuddly toy at hand. This way everyone is immediately at ease and you get nice stories. Moreover, those kids are so familiar with their own skills that they like to capture bears/dinos/dolls beautifully. Our experience is that the little ones like to help each other when painting by mixing a color or drawing certain details. Proud faces when they are picked up.
In the past, you went to the subtropical swimming paradise with your swimming gear and were then taken home, but nowadays you can throw a mermaid party at many swimming pools. The kids put on a beautiful tail and learn the associated underwater techniques from an instructor. Afterwards they are allowed to swim freely for a while and then you throw in a nice mayo with fries. Some things haven't changed in all these years. Needless to say, but this is only suitable if the entire party gang has the necessary swimming diplomas.
Sometimes the setting is already half the story. Give us a theme and we will implement it down to the smallest details. Movie afternoon for the birthday boy? Fine, but then we also completely convert the living room into a home theater. Or the garden, because an outdoor cinema with thick cushions, warm rugs and lights on the fence is of course a fantastic setting. Rent a projector, arrange a popcorn machine and let the star of the afternoon direct the film.
Messing around in the kitchen together is always fun. You can bake cookies or decorate cakes, but making slime with the whole club is just as fun. Do a test beforehand, because it quickly becomes too watery or too sticky. It took us a lockdown to unravel the recipe, but it turns out to be a magical formula with lens fluid, shaving foam and baking soda. Google it. Oh and invest in some cool food coloring or glitter, because clear slime is boring. We have heard it said.
Okay, this one requires some preparation and creativity from the parental authorities, but then you have something: make a huge coloring page yourself in the theme of the party: you can find many examples via Pinterest, but drawing it yourself is of course even more fun. Each student receives an A4 sheet of paper that you can put together (for example a car route) and at the end of the afternoon you can wallpaper the entire wall.
Thanks to the annual King's Games, every child knows a "Kinderen voor Kinderen" (Children for Children) hit. And let's be honest, our hearts still beat faster when we hear a classic like "Crazy Dream" or "Op een uninhabited island." If your little one loves to dance, then a party where everyone learns the dance steps to a specific song is sure to be a hit. Grandma takes care of the makeup, her sister helps backstage with the costumes, and at the end of an afternoon of rehearsals, the whole bunch puts on a dazzling performance for all the parents.
For the cool kids, a graffiti workshop is the end. The students will work on their own work of art under the guidance of a real graffiti artist. As much as possible in the fresh air because of the paint fumes. There are often low-pressure spray cans for the real youngsters and afterwards the creative artists can let loose on a real wall specially reserved for this purpose. Going all in.
Photo: @graffitifun
This is really a children's party for creative people who want to look cool with lots of bright colors and dance to their favorite music in the dark. Because UV body paint lights up when black light shines on it, and that is a beautiful sight! If you want to do it professionally, you can hire a make-up artist to make the most beautiful creations. Or you can rent a room and just do it yourself (or let the kids do it). What you do need is black light and UV face and body paint.
Swinging and clambering as if your life depends on it is what every child loves to do, isn't it? So monkey cages as a children's party are guaranteed to be a success. The kids have to make sure the tagger doesn't get them by climbing on all the playground equipment. It's fun, for example, to transform a gymnasium into a jungle and make it a wild animal theme, or whatever the birthday boy or girl comes up with. Everything is possible. Oh and of course the floor is made of lava!
Does your little one like disco, music and skating? Arrange a cool DJ, rent a space (or go to an indoor roller skating rink), hang a disco ball and whatnot flashing lights, done! Of course, everything is set to the birthday boy or girl's favorite music. Don't the friends have skates? No problem! You can also just rent them.
Create a no brainer of course, arranging a charade for the whole thing. Then everyone between the ages of 2 and 8 will be entertained for a while. Also fun for a family party where ages vary. As it turns out, that's easier said than done because where can you find a nice puppeteer who comes to your home, takes all the work off your hands and who is also fun?
Fritsie Duikelaar is your answer.
Or dive into storytelling yourself (it's fun to let the kids make their own dolls first; this can be done with an old sock that they can draw and paint on: for example, first sew hair, a nose and eyes with dark wool). so they can do the rest themselves). The puppet theater shown here is for sale at WijsWest in Amsterdam.
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