01 April 2019

Art Party

24th March 2019
Willow's Art Party 7th Birthday Party


Willow was turning seven.  She wanted a new desk and chair for her birthday so she could create things in her bedroom away from all her brothers.  We found an adorable white and pink set with a little locker.  After seeing the kit set all made up and hidden away in the garage till her birthday it got me thinking about putting on an art party for Willow and her friends.  I love creating things so this theme was perfect!


  

Invitation
 Here is Willow's 7th birthday invitation.  It was a cute apron with all the party Information on it.
I got ideas off the internet, pinterest is fantastic for ideas.




Games


Willow invited eight of her close friends to her party.  I decided to stay clear of traditional party games like pass the parcel and pin the tail on the donkey.  Instead we set up an art studio in the backyard (a huge gazebo) and decorated it with lots of colour.




First Activity - Painting Canvas
We have an entertainment book and weeks before I had found vouchers for Paint and Sip.  I thought this would be so much fun to go to with friends.  Then after deciding on an Art theme I adapted this concept.  My hubby got out into the work shed and made lots of Easels for me.  We set up trestle tables and made a station for all the guests.  They each had there own Canvas (Boys - Space themed and Girls - Unicorn  themed).  These canvas came with paint brushes and paints, which I got from Kmart.
It was so great watching the children pick a coloured apron (brought from Aliexpress) and getting into painting.  This activity took so much longer than I thought, they were all having so much fun creating a master piece.  At the end they all choose a favourite canvas and that person won a small prize.








Second Activity - Clay Modelling

Willow has always loved playing with playdough and clay.  I found little modelling clay sets at the Warehouse.  Tables were set up for the children with a packet of cloloured clay each, plastic plate, plastic knife and tooth picks.  I laminated examples of ideas I found on the internet to get their minds going.  They loved this and within minutes they were all creating amazing sculptures. 










Third Activity - Cupcake Decorating 

Willow loves baking so we baked muffins to decorate at the party.  We used new paint palettes to put all the food onto (keeping the theme).
The guests iced the cupcakes then decorated with the food on the palette.  My older boys judged the cupcakes and Milly was awarded a small prize for her creation.















Forth Activity - Painted Rock Treasure Hunt

A family interest we have is Rock Hunting.  CHCH Rocks on Facebook is a great site where lots of people paint rocks and hide them.  My kids love painting rocks also, hiding them in local parks for others to enjoy and hunting for new ones.  Over the past month or two as we found painted rocks we kept them to use for Willow's party.  Afterwards we will rehide for others to enjoy. 
Willlow's brothers hid the rocks around the property.  When all the rocks had been found we had a printout of one of them in a sealed envelope.  Kids couldn't wait to see if it was their rock.  Cooper found the winning rock and was given a small prize for winning.  Since everyone did so well I also gave everyone an extra prize - A small Clipboard, Pad and Pen Set.  While this game was on it gave Rob and I time to set up for the next activity. 





   

   

   



Fifth Activity - Art Palette PinataWillow loves Pinatas.  Even though we weren't doing games I decided to make a pinata with her.  We loved how this pinata turned out. Everyone had so much fun hitting the pinata and loved the treats that came out in the end. Aprons came in handy for collecting all the treats.. lovely big pockets on the front!





Sixth Activity - Wooden Initial Decorating 

I brought each guest a wooden letter - first initial of their names.  I went through all my arts and craft boxes and found papers, ribbons, embellishments, glue, glitter and so much more.  I set them all up on the tables for the guests to use to decorate their letters.  Everyone made something so different,  It was lovely to see all the finished products in the end.









 


  





Party Food & Birthday Cake

I ordered Willow's cake from CleverCookie.  She has made a lot of my kids cakes over the years and always so delicious.
During the week Willow and I made little easels out of popsicle sticks for cookies to sit on.  We made Rice Bubble Paint Brushes and Cookie Pallets. Other foods for the guests were savouries, cheerios, pizzas, jelly, popcorn, chips, lollies and chocolates.

Cups, Plates, Napkins and Decorations were brought from Party World.
  



Cake made by CleverCookie




Party Food 











Loot Bags & Prizes 

Willow made little loot bags for her friends.  Here are some photos of these and also of the small prizes we gave out at activities.






Friends and Gifts

A huge thank you to her lovely friends
Atawhai, Payton, Ashley, Milly, Shyla-Lilly, Elsie, Cooper and Liam for coming and celebrating her 7th birthday.  She loved having you all here.

Also a very big thank you to her brothers Jamal, Leroy and Austin for all their help today.  You helped set up which was a great help, judged activities and joined in with your little sister.  She loves you all so much. 

Thank you to everyone for her amazing gifts, a very spoilt girl.








Willow, we love you so much.  
You are such a special girl who gives her best at everything.
We had to hold your party the day after your birthday because you were off winning the Canterbury Under 9 Girls Tball Championships.  
What a fantastic weekend you have had.
We love making lasting memories with you and look forward to seeing what you will achieve this year.
Keep smiling, Love Mum and Dad
xxx