Eliza's 7th Art and Craft Birthday Party

On Sunday we started the week of celebrating Eliza's 7th birthday. It was with an art and craft party with 9 little friends. The weather was pouring down so we set up the tables inside and the different activities. This age was the perfect group to do a craft party.

Craft and drawing tables, beading on the coffee table. Cup bunting supplied by Emily

Food table ready out the back room

When the kids arrived they started by doing some craft at the craft table, some drawing and some bracelet making. It was lovely to meet some new parents and quickly catch up with some others.

Once everyone was here we moved to the back room for our first activity - cupcake decorating. The kids had little pallets with a cupcake that they were to decorate how they wanted to. It was nice to see how each person decorated them - some with strategy, others to just put everything on. I loved Eleanor's one that looked like a little bunny. She then added everything else on top but the start was very cute. Once made they could then eat their cupcake.

Table ready

Cupcake art pallet. I wish I could find enough for everyone but there was only 1 packet of these circle pallets.

This was the alternative (to be honest the kids didn't care. They still got lollies and cupcakes but I think the circle pallet looks much more pretty)

The challenge went to who can put the most lollies and decorations on?

Happy boys!

I then pointed out the table with food on it and they enjoyed feasting and returning to craft and jewellery. It was quite handy having the other activities in the lounge room so we could pack up and set up for the different activities. 

Next up we played a game similar to pass the parcel, but instead it was pass the picture. Music played and the kids were to draw something. I would pause the music and then the kids would pass it clockwise. Then the music would start and they needed to draw on the next picture. After 7 turns they got their pictures back and saw what creation was made. It didn't work amazingly well as pictures had scribbles on it and dots and drawing over the top of other people's drawings, but the kids all had fun doing it. The cutest moment was when Isla was hungry so got a fruit skewer. She needed to keep drawing too so gave it to James to hold. While drawing she looked over at James who held out the skewer and she used her teeth to slide off a piece of fruit. We each had a giggle.

Their finished drawings

Flynnie and Alexander kept eating while the older kids drew.

Again, the kids headed back to do some more craft, colouring and beading while I set up the canvases and paint. The time was going so quickly! It was already 11:30 and parents were picking their kids up at 12. We called the kids back into the backroom to find a spot behind a canvas. They then had freedom to paint whatever they wanted to. They even enjoyed painting a little plaster paint thing too. The kids were so settled as they painted themselves. They were enjoying their time and their creativity. 

Busy painters

Eliza was the last one to finish her painting

The creativity! Love it and love that each kid got to take their painting home

Meanwhile Flynnie and Alexander were happily playing with the play dough.

While the kids were painting, I called over one at a time to paint their hand to make a canvas print for Eliza. James was an awesome help washing the kids' hands and the brushes for me. Anne and Mum were an amazing help encouraging the kids as they painted their own canvases.  It looks great having the handprints all on it. These hands are helping shape, grow, encourage, support and guide Eliza to be the amazingly beautiful, strong and caring young lady that she is. I love that she will have this to look at and remember this party and remember this group of friends. 

The handprints before the tape was taken off

The finished product

Parents then started to arrive. I though that we might have too little to do but instead I wish that we had the party go for 30mins more. Anyway, we pulled out the cake and started to sing Happy Birthday. Eliza is so funny and doesn't know how to respond when there is attention on her, like when we sang happy birthday to her. But that's ok. I know that she enjoys it and appreciate it and will continue to help her understand how to react when she might feel nervous or shy. After singing Happy Birthday she tried to clap out the candles (which didn't work) so then moved to blowing them out. Then I asked her to open her birthday cake craft box and the reaction was the best! Exactly what I was hoping for.

To choose the cake, I was going to make the paint pallet, because it was an art and craft party. But when Eliza flicked through the book she saw the sewing box and asked for that. I told her that it wasn't going to be a sewing party though so I was thinking of the paint pallet. She kindly said 'Ok. I guess I can have the paint pallet' but it got me thinking. Maybe I could make a craft box. Looking at the sewing box I didn't think that the lid would stay open so I decided to adapt it for me. I made 2 circle cakes then cut one in half. The base I cut out a smaller circle, like the swimming pool cake, so that I could put lollies inside it to be like craft. Then with the lid I put it on cardboard covered in foil and had 2 little handles sticking out the side. I iced the cake and wrote Eliza 7 on top. In the morning I then filled the craft box but had some lolly ribbon sticking out of the box. I was pretty happy with how it looked! And as I mentioned, was very happy with the reaction when she opened it.

Then it was all a bit crazy. I cut the cake and the kids found a place on the floor to sit and eat it. And then everyone left with their party bags and their parents. I wished it was a bit more settled at the end but at least the party overall was really settled. Eliza kindly decorated each of the party bags. I loved that she did something different for each person. We put some lollies, chocolates and some toys and jewellery in each bag and the kids also got to take home their paintings. 

Eliza was very spoilt with her birthday presents. From a ballet costume from Emily, to make craft kits, stationary and books, she will be occupied!

What a lovely birthday party for her. A lovely group of friends, a happy birthday girl and a cake that worked out! Happy 7th birthday party beautiful girl.

Also, Flynnie and Alexander did get to do their canvas the following Thursday after Mother's Group. They had a great, messy time painting! Much easier with it being the 2 of them on their own and not with the whole other group.