A May Day celebration is a super way to enjoy mid-spring. Check out Skip To My Lou for creative and crafty May Day baskets! What a fabulously sweet way to welcome May for your whole family.

Read the rest of this entry »

Finding Nemo is a classic Walt Disney Pixar movie and with the fun characters – Nemo, Dory, Marlin, and more – it’s always popular for the kids to watch this adorable tale of Nemo’s journey in the South Pacific sea.  An oceanic party theme is a popular one to throw (get supplies here), and if you want to mix in a few characters to this fun party or re-create Nemo’s world, a Finding Nemo party may be just the inspiration you are looking for.  Find creative ideas here:

For your party invitation, using heavy card stock in bright colors, e.g. orange, blue, yellow, etc., and create Nemo and Dory fish invitations.  Have your birthday child decorate the fish and on the reverse side write all of your party details.  You can either send the invitations in an envelope, or place your fish in a plastic bag and fill it with a little sand and small shells and hand-deliver your invitation.

Read the rest of this entry »

A fun craft to make this spring, particularly on May Day, is a tabletop version of the maypole. It is much more manageable to make than an actual, full-size maypole for your yard. This is an easy and a fun way to mark spring’s entrance with your kids either at an Easter party or birthday party. It is also fun activity to simply celebrate May Day with!

Here is an excellent post on Birthday Parties for the Sensory-Sensitive Child featured on Alpha+Mom in their Advice Smackdown Column written by Amalah.  She outlines very good points on how best to organize your party keeping your child in mind first and foremost.  It’s chock full of good information.

Read the rest of this entry »

Love this creative article featured on The Bargain Jargon featuring Kids’ Gift Ideas – All Under $5!  The ideas range from a locket to thematic packs and more.  Wonderful, budget-friendly inspiration for the next time you have to buy a birthday present!

Read the rest of this entry »

I love extending a very warm welcome to Jess Newman, owner of Polkadots & Pirates, an amazing party resource for anyone looking to plan a cool kids’ party.  Jess’ ideas are full of innovation, color, and fun.  Just look at some of her birthday collages below.  In her About pd&p Section of her site, she states, Polkadots & Pirates was created due to a bit of a crazed obsession with my kids’ birthday parties. I am that mom up at 3 am making party decorations or planning the next year’s party the day after the last one is over! I don’t believe they have to be the biggest or the best, just something that both you and your child enjoy.  I am thrilled to have her as a Guest Party Blogger.  Welcome Jess!

Anyone who knows me also knows that when it comes to picking a theme and planning for a party, sooner than later is always better.  In fact, I have already started planning all of my kids next parties, which aren’t until September, December, and February.  Crazy?  Well yes, maybe.  That word has been used to describe me before, but I swear that it is smarter, cheaper, and less stressful in the long run, too!   Here are a few reasons why picking a theme early can be helpful:

Read the rest of this entry »

If your family is like our friends at What’s Cooking’s families, you have been to more gymnastics birthday parties than you can count. When it is time to think of a party for your own kids, it is easy to fall back on the familiar, but why not consider trying something different and perhaps less expensive? What about a birthday party where the kids learn something, get to be creative, and have fun all at the same time?

Cooking parties are gaining popularity, and for obvious reasons. Almost anyone who has cooked with kids can attest that those who help in the kitchen are better eaters and are more enthusiastic about trying new foods. And if dinner time is a challenge in your house, I bet you’re up for anything that improves the mood at your table!

Read the rest of this entry »