DIY: Beach Party Theme for Kids

Many years ago, when Halie was in Kindergarten, we began this tradition of having an end of every school year celebration with a small group of school friends before they all dispersed for the summer. Halie, being 11, is too cool for themed parties now has opted out for a sleepover and a fire in the backyard for the past couple of years.  Anya however is still young enough and eager to plan a themed party with her mama.  This year we went with a beach theme!  At age 8, she was instrumental in the  planning, decorating and creating  to-do lists for the event, and  I was happy to let her take the lead for the most part.  Early on in June she presented me with her blueprints of our yard for the event and the ideas she had come up with.  FYI once she has her mind set, she isn’t not easily convinced to go another way, stubborn, must be like her dad 😊 (JK, all me)
 

We took to Pinterest of course for some basic ideas and then hit the local Dollar Tree and Dollarama to purchase everything we would need for the afternoon.  Note that I keep these gatherings rather short and sweet, 2 to 2.5 hours, and 4 to 5 friends. 

DECORATIONS:

How we made the ocean wall?

First off we were inspired by this photo from the Crafty Patch such a great idea. 

Materials:

• 3 blue rectangular vynal tablecloths

• Large fish decorations/beach balls/sea animals

• Staple gun

• Scissors

1.  We cut the rectangular table clothes in half, length wise.

2.  Decide how many waves you want to have and plan out where you would like to place the objects along the waves (fish, beach balls, sea animals.  

3.  The cloths easily bend and mold into the shape of the wave.  Use a staple gun to secure the cloths to the fence.  As you secure the cloth, place the animals/objects on the wave.

4.  Each wave should bend in the opposite direction of the wave above.

ACTIVITIES:

Each child painted their own little treasure box,which were cheaply purchased at Dollarama, and were invited to choose their own treasures using various loose parts such as shells, gems, buttons, colored rocks. 

 Our other activities included a slip n’ slide, kiddie pool with bubbles and a dance party in the backyard. 

FOOD:
“Beach Balls” - Chicago Mix Popcorn 

“Pool Noodles” – Twizzlers

“Tropical Fish” – Mixed Fishy Crackers

“Pina Colada Smoothie” – Mott’s Pina Colada Mix

“Rainbow Fruit” – fruit kabobs

Floral paper plates, napkins and cups

It did “rain on our parade” a little bit near the end but it didn’t ruin the outdoor fun for the kids.  We quickly took the art supplies and food inside and continued the celebrations.  The most important thing was that they had fun and though they didn’t get to enjoy the pretty outdoor eating space, they didn’t care because they are kids and they love life!!!!!

Valentine's Day: "You Make My Heart Bounce" Treat Bags

It's that time of year again when the kiddos get all wrapped up in the excitement of Valentine's Day.  They think about what cards they are going to give their friends and what they will receive in return.  Each year the girls and I search Pinterest for an idea that inspires us create a gift for each of their school friends.  I am a firm believer that the ideas we choose must be child friendly, age appropriate and cost effective.  Generally, I  do not believe in making the gifts perfect or doing all the work for my girls.  I would rather have them put the effort and creativity into the gift so that they can truly say they made it (obviously I help if needed).  Last year we had an abundance of full sized chocolate bars in our pantry so  utilized them to create our own Valentine's Day chocolate bars, check it out here.  

 This year we manufactured our own "You Make My Heart Bounce" treat bags. 

 

Materials:

• Bouncy balls (Dollarama) 

• Ziplock Valentine's Day themed bags (Dollarama)

• Chocolate Hearts (Walmart)

• You Make My Heart Bounce labels (download below)

• Stapler

 



 

 

Anya wrote out her friends names and her own on the little treat bags, and then assembled them by placing four chocolates and a bouncy ball in each bag.  She randomly put the balls in, while Halie right away noticed that some would be more appropriate for "boys" or for "girls" depending on their color (insert eye roll from me).   She hasn't made hers bags yet, hence no pictures of her.  

 

This year for Valentine's Day I plan to give each girl a little something special along with some chocolates.   Anya is getting a Jojo bow from Claire's and Halie loves Justin Bieber so she is getting a JB signature charm bracelet from Amazon.ca.  

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

 

Anya is getting a new Jojo bow from Claire's.

Halie loves Justin Bieber and so we are ordering this charm bracelet for her from Amazon.ca