{ABCs of Kids' Party Ideas - Party Themes from F to J}

Mama Pea Pod was ranked in the Top 10 for the Red Tricycle Most Awesome awards for Birthday Party Ideas! Thanks so much! x

Today as part of the ABCs of Kids' Party Ideas series, I bring you the BEST ideas for KIDS PARTIES from F to J.

To see the rest of the best kids' party theme ideas, see the ABCs of Kids' Party Ideas main page.

First Birthday Party - There's no need for an over-the-top party for babies (who is the party really for?). This First Birthday Party post has loads of helpful tips and ideas for planning a baby-friendly first birthday party for your little one.

Farm Party - by Frog, Goose and Bear -  love the scarecrow! 

Fairy Party - Sweet enchantment from The Imagination Tree 

Flower Party -  Flower garden party by The Imagination Tree

Gingerbread Party - If you've got a December birthday in your family, it can be awkward separating birthday from Christmas celebrations. I love the idea that Housing a Forest came up with - having a Gingerbread-themed birthday party! (This idea could also work as a Christmas party if you don't have December birthdays.) 

Glow in the Dark Party - Growing a Jeweled Rose has some fantastically fun ideas for a glow-in-the-dark party! This kind of party could be for birthdays, Halloween, playdates, or just any old excuse to have a party for your little ones! (But be warned - Growing a Jeweled Rose likes her playdates MESSY!)

Gruffalo Party - Sweet Pea loves The Gruffalo stories by Julia Donaldson and requested a Gruffalo Party for her 3rd birthday. One of the cutest party themes ever, in my opinion! Also see my Gruffalo Fun pinterest board.

Heart Party - We threw this pink and red heart-themed party for Sweet Pea's birthday last year, but it could easily be adapted to a Valentine's Day Party! I had so much fun crafting all the little details for this party - some much-needed, quality 'Time for Mama'! You can find loads more heart-themed ideas here and here.

Harry Potter Party - for your budding wizard by Maxabella Loves

Ice-Cream Party - Another simple, summer party idea - an Ice Cream Party! This one by Frog, Goose and Bear with lots of printables looks amazing but surprisingly easy to pull off.  An ice-cream bar is, of course, essential. You can find more ice-cream themed ideas here.

Japanese Themed Party - If you're looking for something truly original, Frog, Goose and Bear threw a sweet Japanese-themed party for their young Japanophile, with real Japanese games and activities. 

Stay tuned for the next instalment tomorrow! Brought to you as part of:

 

MAMA TIPS & TRICKS - The ABCs of ...

Being a Hands On Mom - Hands On: As We Grow

Connecting With Your Kids - One Perfect Day

Fun, Healthy Snacks for Kids - Juggling with Kids

Kids' Party Ideas - Mama Pea Pod

Mama Survival - The Dizzy Mom

Printables - Mama Miss

Raising a Healthy Kid - Living Life Intentionally

Raising a Thinking Child - The Outlaw Mom

Raising a World Citizen - All Done Monkey

Raising Boys - Boy Mama Teacher Mama

Raising Eco-Friendly Kids - Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Raising Girls - Mess For Less

Raising Toddlers - Home Learning Journey

Simply Celebrating Holidays as a Family - Inspired by Family Magazine

Teaching Kids About Money - Carrots are Orange

The Family Dinner Table - Connecting Family and Seoul

The Organized Home - Mamas Like Me

Trying a New Experience With Your Children - 52 Brand New

Values For Children (Character Development) - True Aim Education

{ABCs of Kids' Party Ideas - Party Themes from A to E}

Did you know that Mama Pea Pod was voted Top 10 in the Red Tricycle 'Most Awesome' awards for Birthday Party Ideas? Thanks so much! x

ABCs of Kids' Party Ideas - real parties by real moms, like you and me!

In case you missed the intro post for the ABCs of Kids' Party Ideas series, you'll probably want to start there. In a nutshell, the Kid Blogger Network is producing an "ABCs of ..." series this week, covering just about every kid-related topic you can imagine from A-Z! And I'm doing my part by sharing the best kids' party theme ideas by real moms from around the blogosphere! Because there are SO MANY fab ideas to share, I'm splitting them up over the week. At the end of the week, they will all be linked up to the main ABCs of Kids' Party Ideas page.

For more party ideas, cake ideas, and party tips, see my 'Parties' board on Pinterest!

Today's post brings you Kids' Party Theme Ideas from A-E:

Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party (from Nurturestore) - What a fun, quirky party theme! You can also find more Alice in Wonderland party ideas here and here.

Art Party - This Art Party from Housing a Forest is great inspiration. 

Airplane Party - I love the cute clothespin and candy airplanes that Inspiration Laboratories made for their Airplane Party. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can find more lovely airplane party ideas here.

Batman Party - I love the fun themed games at this Batman Party thrown by Coffee Cups and Crayons! If you're looking for something super easy to put together, Mama Smiles has a simple Batman Party, too.

Beach Party - This beach party from Growing a Jeweled Rose looks perfect for a summer birthday! 

Circus Carnival Party I love the simplicity of this Circus Carnival Party from East Coast Mommy! 

Cars Party - What kid wouldn't love these fun car-themed party games from the ever-creative Red Ted Art?

Cluedo Party - This Cluedo Party from Shiny Happy Art is perfect for preteens who like a little mystery and adventure!

Christmas Party - Parties aren't just for birthdays! My good friend Kathy hosts an annual Christmas party for families, which is always a hit! The highlight is the hot chocolate bar where kids (and adults) can add their own toppings - crushed candy canes, sprinkles, marshmallows, whipped cream, and cinnamon... mmmm. Decorate with some snowflake garland, have the kids make some easy homemade candy canes at the party to take home as favours, and be sure to have a Christmas carol singalong!

Dog Party - Living Life Intentionally shares a brilliant party with different dog-themed 'stations' set up for their dog party.

Dinosaur Party - from 3 Dinosaurs (of course!). For a slightly younger crowd, try this Dinosaur Party by Life Frosting.

Easter Egg Hunt Party - Our annual Easter Egg Hunt Party (2012 is here; 2011 is here) has become hugely popular - dare I say 'legendary' - around here! 

Stay tuned for the next instalment tomorrow! Brought to you as part of:

 

See more like this from this series:

MAMA TIPS & TRICKS - The ABCs of ...

Being a Hands On Mom - Hands On: As We Grow

Connecting With Your Kids - One Perfect Day

Fun, Healthy Snacks for Kids - Juggling with Kids

Kids' Party Ideas - Mama Pea Pod

Mama Survival - The Dizzy Mom

Printables - Mama Miss

Raising a Healthy Kid - Living Life Intentionally

Raising a Thinking Child - The Outlaw Mom

Raising a World Citizen - All Done Monkey

Raising Boys - Boy Mama Teacher Mama

Raising Eco-Friendly Kids - Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Raising Girls - Mess For Less

Raising Toddlers - Home Learning Journey

Simply Celebrating Holidays as a Family - Inspired by Family Magazine

Teaching Kids About Money - Carrots are Orange

The Family Dinner Table - Connecting Family and Seoul

The Organized Home - Mamas Like Me

Trying a New Experience With Your Children - 52 Brand New

Values For Children (Character Development) - True Aim Education

{Pink and Red Heart Party: Invitations and Favor Bags}

Like Mama Pea Pod for birthday party ideas? Please consider throwing a vote our way in the Red Tricycle Most Awesome awards for Birthday Party Ideas! Thanks so much! x

Pink and red stamped and embossed party invitations. 

(I made the envelopes out of scrapbooking paper, too)

I made more of these woven paper heart baskets to use as favour bags for guests.

*Oops! Just found this post stuck in my 'drafts' folder, unfinished! Posting it now, anyway, as part of the Pink and Red Heart Party series of posts!

{Quick, Last Minute New Year's Eve Party for Kids}

Like Mama Pea Pod for birthday party ideas? Please consider throwing a vote our way in the Red Tricycle Most Awesome awards for Birthday Party Ideas! Thanks so much! x

Last year was the first year we celebrated New Year's Eve with the kids (though not as late as midnight!). We decided to have a spontaneous party and knocked on doors to invite all our neighbours with kids (8 adults and 6 kids in all, ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 7 years old). 


In Hungary, New Year's Eve (called Szilveszter in Hungarian), is often celebrated with a large dinner of pork and stuffed cabbage for good luck. (Read more about Hungarian New Year's traditions in my guest post over at Red Ted Art.) Since we decided at around 6pm that night to have a party (after all the shops were shut), we didn't have any stuffed cabbage on hand. Instead, we raided the pantry for whatever we did have and came up with crackers and cheese, cookies, a box of brownie mix, various sweet treats from Christmas, and some frozen meatballs - pork! 


Szilveszter is also a time of superstitions, to ensure good luck for the coming year. In an effort to scare away evil spirits, people make as much noise as they can. Kazoos, paper horns, and other noisemakers keep the spirits away. People often wear silly hats, masks, and accessories, and buy noise-makers, fireworks, and sparklers. Earlier in the day, we had bought some noise-makers and sparklers for our own kids - and we always have lots of silly accessories in our dress-up box!

So after our snacks and drinks, some free play, and a spontaneous 'talent show' put on by the kids in our living room, we bundled the children up in their snowsuits and took them out to the garden to light up the sparklers (fortunately we had enough for everyone to share). They all had a wonderful time waving them around in the dark (with very close adult supervision, of course*), and blowing paper horns and those noisemakers that roll out, making as much noise as they could!


It was such fun, and the kids were all SO excited! Even though we had prepared nothing, it was one of the most fun parties that our kids remember, and they've been asking for months now to do it again this year!


*It goes without saying, really, but children should be supervised carefully whenever they are around sparklers or fireworks, should be shown how to safely hold a sparkler near the end away from the sparks, and should never pick up a sparkler that has burnt out as it remains hot for some time. We also had a designated place to put the burnt out sparklers, to avoid anyone stepping on them or picking them up. Also, please ensure that children are spaced far enough apart to avoid bumping one another with their sparklers.


Boldog Új Évet Kivánok! I wish you a happy New Year!