Kids Park Party- We have had kid's birthday parties every year for both of our boys, including a DIY Additive-Free Park Party, at commercial party venues, and also at home . In some ways it is more work at the park but you can actually save a lot of money and still invite everybody.
Don’t assume your favourite local park will be available in the finer months of the year. Send a friend or family member to start the set-up for your DIY Additive-Free Park Party early as parks are still quite popular for birthdays. (One year we planned a park party where there was a nice big table and when we got there another family had already set up.)
Luckily I had bought a spare trestle table and we got to set up in a shadier area, it worked out fine. Check in advance on what facilities are available and plan your DIY Additive-Free Park Party menu and activities accordingly. Ask a few single relatives or friends to be ‘games masters’ so you can concentrate on the food, drinks and general organizational stuff.
Kids of all ages can participate in your planned activities or play on the park equipment.The amount you save on cost per head at a commercial party venue will mean you can have game prizes and also some nice touches for the adults and it’s cool for your kids to be able to ask along everyone they’d like to .
We found that the parents mostly stayed at our park parties (maybe it was the wine or coffees that we had on offer!) This was nice to get to know all the parents better. Parties at home tend to get more ‘drop and runs’ as do the party venues, we have found. If you do decide to offer wine at your DIY Additive-Free Park Party you save less but more parents stay and help out with the fun activities. Either way works fine.
Easy food for a morning tea or afternoon tea timed party is chips and dips. (Kids always eat less than you think they will) our priority was additive free , healthier options.For 15-20 kids (and parents)
DIP- 500g yoghurt(we use sheep's milk yoghurt), 2 mashed avocados, 3 teaspoons of French onion dip mix. Served with Turkish bread cut into small pieces.We had plain rice crackers as well.
KETTLE DRUM PLAIN CHIPS (less additives)-3 large bags
NATURAL FOOD COMPANY LOLLIE BAGS – for after the cake or as they are going home. (Actually the yellow colour is 160b, natural but still can cause hyperactivity and mood swings in most kids. When my two were little I picked out the yellow ones (eating them myself, the sacrifices a mother must make!) Now they are bigger and not as sensitive so I allow small amounts here and there.
HOME-MADE LEMONADE ICYPOLES- (additive-free and easy to make, they kept well in an esky , we handed them out first then kept the juice and wine on the ice.
THE CAKE- At my local market there is more than one great cake shop and both offer additive free cakes. As I have always avoided edible artificial decorations, the themes have been achieved with miniature action figures and natural Food Company lollies on top of an additive free cake.
One year I printed a Buzz Light Year image (from the internet) and added a personalized Happy Birthday message, I used spray adhesive to glue the paper to a stronger moisture proof card (the shape of the cake only smaller) then I covered the edges of it with piped icing. When it was time to cut the cake, I removed the Decoration card, and served the little cut pieces (no kid every complained at one of my parties that they never got artificial colours!)
GAMES - We had made a 'Pass the parcel' with little gifts from the $2 shop (we made sure everyone got a little treat ) , We played 'What's the time Mr. Wolf?' , Pin the Tail on the Donkey (both with a very small prize), we took along a few other ball games from home and otherwise playing on the park equipment was mostly what the kids were happy with, while the parents had a coffee (I have a 2 litre pump thermos for hot water and they happily made their own).
LOLLY BAGS - I usually make my own, but more often I wrap a little surprise from the discount store as a party takeaway.
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