CHILD'S PLAY

THROWING a party for children can be enjoyable and stress-free - it just takes some planning and a little imagination.

Think carefully about the length of your party - children have very short attention spans and get tired very easily. An hour-and-a- half to two hours of excitement is therefore enough for any little one - plus, parents will easily be able to stay and enjoy the fun. Weekend parties work best for the whole family.Serving Suggestion - Skip-Hop Bento Mealtime Kit - pounds 18 from www.bibsandstuff.com As you could be transporting your picnic across some challenging terrain, it''s a good idea to store some foods apart. The selection of six containers, which can be used separately or clipped together, comes with an insulated cooler bag and freezer pack.Smartie chocolate cupcakes are a great alternative to a traditional birthday cake and can be made in no time at all.Just pour the mixture into some novelty cup cake cases, bake and decorate with chocolate icing and a scattering of Smarties. It couldn't be any simpler. Chocolate fudge is another of my all-time favourites and is so easy to make as the recipe uses just four ingredients.Cover Up - Go Hybrid Backpack Canopy - pounds 79.99 from www.firebox.com This is no pessimistic approach to picnicking, this portable gazebo uses material with 100% UV protection, so it''s a welcome place to escape the rays. Easy to set up, simple to transport and folds away into a backpack (with extra pockets for storage), this could well be appearing at many outdoor occasions very soon.Whether you are having a party at home, in the garden or at your child's favourite restaurant, decorations will brighten things up.THEMESENTERTAINMENTConstructing an outdoor gazebo can work out a lot cheaper than buying ready-made kits and it will also endow the gazebo with a personal touch. But building the outdoor gazebo will obviously entail considerable time and energy. If a person has the time and the aptitude to undertake this type of project, it can be a rewarding experience. But in today�s fast paced living style, most people discard the option of building their own gazebo and choose instead to buy the ready-to-assemble kit.Kids love to dress up and having a theme makes it much easier to tailor entertainment, decorations, food and music. It doesn't have to be a costly superhero or a fairy costume: choose a colour - everyone wears something pink or blue - or an accessory, such as a hat.Height Of Cool - Vango Drinks Cooler - pounds 30 from www.vango.co.uk You''ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to cool bag selections, but if you go for the false economy options, you''ll be likely to only get a handful of trips at best. This sturdy number from outdoor specialist Vango has plenty of space for your drinks. With detachable legs, it is extremely portable and sits above the ground to keep out unwelcome guests.Another trick to a successful children's party is to make sure the kids are occupied, engaged and having fun all the time.THE MENUDECORATIONSA gazebo is normally built to serve as an open shelter with just a roof supported by a few pillars. The design should be such as to allow sunlight and air to freely pass through but nonetheless providing protection against direct sunlight and rain. Outdoor gazebos can be built at convenient exterior locations as pool cabana or garden cabana or in an ideal spot amidst the lawns or in the backyard.LOCATIONSalads Etc - Swiss Advance Retractable Cutlery - from pounds 7.99 each at www.firebox.com We''ve no appetite for clunky cutlery that weighs us down, and this set is ideal for those who enjoy a salad and that essential slice of cake. The knife or fork simply slides out and when you''re done, the lightweight stainless steel heads retract into the plastic casing.I use the recipe on the left as it creates a delicious moist texture thanks to the condensed milk.For younger children (up to 10 years old), it's always nice to have a themed party.For older children, from five to 11, plan some sort of activity like ice-skating, bowling or the cinema - many places can cater for children's parties which will take away some of the stress.And, of course, no party is complete without balloons - a cheap and cheerful way of jazzing up any venue.Location Locator - Great British Picnics App - free via www.countrylifegreatbritishpicnics.co.uk Compiled after a gruelling road trip around the UK by Tess Sandilands, author of Happy Campers, this free app reveals some of Britain''s secret and lesser known picnic spots. You''ll find more than 600 places in which to picnic, from forests to beaches and everything in between, and, as a bonus, more than 30 recipes that are picnic specific.But they shouldn't cost the earth. One of my favourite ideas is to make a personalised birthday banner - all you need is some old wallpaper and felt-tips pens. Another winner, which actually serves two purposes, is to buy a white paper tablecloth and get the children to decorate it while they wait for their food - it will keep them busy!The secret ingredient is the condensed milk for the ultimate melt- in-the-mouth result- no one will believe it's home made. The fudge makes an ideal filler for the all-important party bag. What's great about both recipes is that you can get the children involved in the decoration stages - they'll love telling their party guests that they made the sweet treats them selves!There are huge outdoor gazebos resembling a pavilion fit to accommodate large number of guests for elaborate parties with music and dancing. Outdoor gazebo can also be quite small suitable for small gatherings and family functions like birthday parties, wedding anniversaries etc. An outdoor gazebo can be ideally treated as a summerhouse, a place to dine al fresco or a place to relax at home with your loved ones.Ground Sheet - Fatboy Knapsack - pounds 109 from www.amara.co.uk We''ve seen picnic blankets aplenty in the course of our search for your seating pleasure and while there are cheaper options out there, the sturdiness of this one from Fatboy caught our eye. Dirt and moisture repellent and easy to carry, it is made with parachute material on its base, which weighs very little, making it ideal to transport all your picnic gear.

And, of course, no party is complete without balloons - a cheap and cheerful way of jazzing up any venue.

Author: Kirstie Allsopp