Does your child have a birthday coming up in the winter months – November, December, or January? If so, you’re probably not going to be celebrating by camping outdoors. Instead, why not invite their friends over for an indoor sleepover or ‘slumber’ party?
@CareDotCom: “Don’t let planning a birthday party for your winter-born child give you the chills. Just because the weather outside is frightful doesn’t mean your indoor birthday bash can’t be cheery and cosy.”
And, on that note, here are a number of indoor activities kids can get going on at a slumber party in your home. They’re not too messy (apart from possibly the pizza-making evening), and they are lots of fun:
Winter movie party
Who doesn’t love sitting around watching movies with their mates? The great thing about this type of party is that provided you keep the guests supplied with popcorn, juice and other snacks, you can sit back and enjoy the film too (or at least put your feet up for a while). You could make it a movie-themed party. Scary movies are popular with kids – provided they’re not too scary. Movies that will probably fit the bill include The Witches, Hocus Pocus, Gremlins and Frankenweenie.
Bauble party
It’s so near Christmas at this time of the year, so why not get your party guests into the festive spirit by asking them to make baubles. Set up a table with ornaments (such as wooden or plastic balls in various shapes) and add decorative pieces such as glitter, paint, sequins and anything else you can think of. Add some pine cones for painting and buttons, bells and ribbons for added decorative touches. Make sure there’s enough glue to go around, and remember to protect your table with a rubber cloth or similar.
Stargazing party
You can bet the kids aren’t going to have an early night. No, they’ll be so full of fun, sugar and excitement that they’ll be up until the wee hours. So, make the most of this and get everyone stargazing by borrowing or renting a big telescope and setting it up in the garden. Get them to try and pick out the various constellations (better study up on them yourself beforehand!).
Chefs party
Get a chef’s hat, rolling pin and apron for every kid at the party and let them know they’ll be making their own meal for the evening. And it’s going to be pizza. Most kids love pizza, so they’re going to be keen to get started. Buy ready-prepared dough, tomato sauce, grated cheese and a number of different toppings, so there’s something to appeal to everyone. Get them to invent their own dessert pizzas, too – by supplying Nutella, ice cream, sprinkles and berries.
Spin the bottle
Set up 10 bottles of nail varnish in various colours around a repurposed board game spinner (the more garish, the better). Then, get the kids to take turns spinning the board, and whichever colour it lands on, they have to paint their nails in that shade. They have to pass if they already have a particular colour. The winner of the game is the guest who has their nails painted with 10 individual shades.
Whichever activity you decide on, we hope your little ones have a fantastic birthday party!