8th Birthday Party Arty Ideas Please...

[northepaul]

Hiya

Its my DD's 8th Birthday soonish, and unfortunately for my bank account, I did promise that she could have a party this year. Rather than pay the extortionate fees charged by the 'All In' venue types (You know where they do eveything and you stomp up loads of cash) we wanted to do it all ourselves.

So far we have figured out the catering (more or less), and probably found a couple of possible venues that are not too expensive. She wants an art themed activity to do before the food, that will take approx half an hour-ish.

Firstly we thought of painting a pottery model each, but they are quite hard to source and expensive to buy. T shirt painting is a strong possibility, but not sure how to dry them so they can take them home? Possibly making a necklace (as you can gather its an all girl event ).

Anyone else have any bright ideas? I know how resorceful everyone is on here
She is very into being eco too, so if it involves recycling all the better!

Thanks all

[zazen999]

For Mr Z's DD's 9th - or was it 8th....

I took 'nice photos' and 'Grrrr photos' of them all, and printed off their pictures and they painted the pictures 'andy warhol' style. They then each picked their faves, and when they were dry, I scanned them in, and printed them off onto transfers and they went home with a t-shirt each.

Well, if the paint had dried in time they would have gone home with a t-shirt - they did tend to paint rather heavily. But it kept them amused whilst Mr Z heated pizza and then they decided to run riot [we lived in a huge open plan house at the time]...and then they ate, smashed a pinata in the hall and then it was time for the parents to pick them up.

The two lads that came were scared of the girls so sat with me whilst I was scanning and printing, bless them.

I printed out the scanned images, ironed them on that night and they were all taken to school the next day - and given to the appropriate kids.

[leicestershirelass]

Just an idea ....

What about making some sponge cakes and having dishes containing different toppings e.g. icing, hundreds and thousands, smarties, silver balls, edible glitter etc and let the girls decorate their own cake/s?

Maybe you could then have a competition to choose the winning cake and the winner gets a prize ??

[Jeanied]

Potato printing - using potatoes and a ready mixed poster paint on black sugar paper

Sgraffiti art (cover a piece of card with different colour scribbles in wax crayon, then top off with black crayon, use a pencil, cocktail stick or other pointed implement to scratch out an image through the black to the colours below)

How about something grow related rather than art related? Decorate a hollow eggshell with a face and plant up with cress 'hair'?

[Two_Sheds]

You can buy plain cotton bags and fabric pens/paints from eBay. I think it would cost *about* 70p per bag ... I looked at this for our craft fair, but we decided to do a nail bar instead (nail varnish & stickers/jewels from the poundshop)


I don't know if it's suitable for you, but my class always love my blindfold drawing game: give your child a large piece of paper and a chunky crayon, then blindfold them. Tell them to draw something, but only the component parts as you say them, eg. draw a man's face; now draw his feet; now draw his eyebrows on; oh you forgot his shoes draw his shoes; now put a hat on him and so on. The results are a total mess but the kids love it

[Seahorse]

What about them making something from air drying modelling 'clay'? I think there are quite a few brands but we've used Crayola Model Magic a few times and it's fabulous. Much lighter and easier to deal with than real clay, you can make pretty much anything (pots and jewellery being faves here) decorate with paint, felt tips, glitter etc and it dries enough to touch and carry within about 30 mins.

[Scarlet]

Painted pasta jewellery?
Or collage pictures, photo frames, greeting card decoration with dyed, dried rice(use food colouring and let dry before the party), pasta, stones, shells, and recycled sweet wrappers, foil etc. And tons of glitter!

[northepaul]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys
I am liking the air drying clay idea...and the drawing game TS

Zaz I dont have a printer that can handle that sort of job, but i like the idea.

I have to bare in mind that I am using a church hall or similar, so cant do anything that will require loads of cleaning

[Two_Sheds]

Crayola Model Magic a few times and it's fabulous.

Yep, we have that in school and it is fabulous (feels weird though if you're used to normal clay)

Hama beads are a huge hit in our class too (you'll need a hot iron)

[SarzWix]

We did what T_S suggested with the bags - bought plain cotton bags off ebay, and some fabric glue and pens. Used the glue to stick on beads and sequins, and the pens to do names etc. Went down really well While they were drying, they decorated a couple of plates of buns, and then did their own pizza toppings (I made & part baked the bases earlier). While the pizzas cooked, and after tea, they did the karaoke & dancing thing. Then it was time to go home

[madmum23]

My girls have always enjoyed making friendship bracelets. All you need is some different coloured wool and if you wanted to personalise them you could purchase beads with letters on. KnotCool.com - Guide to making Friendship Bracelets have some good beginner ideas. Alternatively, there is a website that I have used for the kids which recycles materials to make everyday useable items. Like making bird feeders from cartons and plants holders from tin cans. Just add paint for the base and then decorate using stickers or pens. Might make a nice Mothers Day present. Website is Activities for Children | Crafts, Printables, & Recipes - Kaboose.com. Hope this might give you some ideas. Good luck.

[northepaul]

Thanks everyone, loads to think about now
She is still wanting to do T shirts - and I am airing towards this because I can get them in bulk for about 30p each. Maybe I could provide instructions for parents to stabilise the designs??

[Two_Sheds]

Maybe I could provide instructions for parents to stabilise the designs??

Just print some out to take home: they probably just need to be set with a hot iron?

[northepaul]

Just print some out to take home: they probably just need to be set with a hot iron?

Yes the stuff I have looked at seems to just need an iron. Just have to check with the church hall to see if its ok now