Make A Memorable Summer Kids' Party
Want to make your child's next party the one all the other kids will be talking about?
Or just want to get one more in before summer ends?
On The Early Show Monday, Cookie magazine (www.cookiemag.com) Contributing Editor Laurie Gelman said there's no better place to hold a summer party than the Great Outdoors.
The suggested theme?
Bugs and critters!
Kids get to act as naturalists, really soaking up the environment and communing with nature.
At this party, designed for youngsters aged 5-10, the favors double as activities. You can incorporate any or all of these elements into yours:
PLASTIC BUGS AND WOODEN BUG CATCHER BOXERS
These bugs are super cheap at 15 cents each, and kids can use these bug bungalows for housing real insects. Hide them, around yard and have kids collect specimens.
Wooden Bug Bungalow, $4.50 each, Toysmith, willowtreetoys.com
Assorted Plastic Insects, from $0.15 each, Century Novelty, centurynovelty.com (price depends on quantity)
NOTEBOOKS, PENS, and WHISTLES
Believe it or not, the pages of these notebooks are waterproof, and you can use these pens underwater; kids can draw in a downpour. Have the little naturalists use these to sketch what interests them in their environment; if they spot something exciting, have them blow the whistle!
Waterproof Pocket Memo Pads, $4 each, Rite in the Rain, campmor.com
All-Weather Pens, $7 each, Fisher Space Pen Co., campmor.com
Wooden Bird Whistles, $4.95/dozen, Oriental Trading, orientaltrading.com
MAGNIFYING GLASSES AND BUTTERFLY WINGS
Magnifiers are a steal at 25 cents each, and can be used on anything. Set out real butterfly wings for kids to check out. They go for $6 for six. They're very delicate, but beautiful! Kids must definitely be told to handle them with care.
Large Magnifiers, from $0.25 each, Century Novelty, centurynovelty.com (price depends on quantity)
Genuine Butterfly Wings, $6 for bag of six, Evolution, 800-952-3195
BIRD CALL WHISTLES
These adorable wood whistles are about 40 cents apiece and make sweet bird songs. You can download bird calls from the nternet and see if kids can mimic them with the whistles.
Deluxe Brass Whistles, $3 each, Coohran's, campmor.com
FAVOR BAG
Kids can wrap up favors in bandanas and tie them to twigs for a tidy take-home gift bag.
18" x 18" Paisley Bandanas, $8 per dozen, WholesaleForEveryone.com
SAFARI HATS
Have a few on hand for kids to wear, and encourage kids on the invitation to come in naturalists' gear.
World Safari Party Hats, $3.50 for 8 hats, pinatas.com
TENT
Pitch a clothesline tent; simply throw a colorful king-size sheet over a line and anchor with twigs.
Bibbi Blad King-Size Sheet, $29.99, Ikea stores nationwide + clothesline
TREATS
Have a bakery embellish a traditional buche de noel cake (works in summer for naturalist party) with bugs and butterflies, or simply top cupcakes with plastic bugs and hot glue bugs and butterflies to water bottles.