Parenting 

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Five party ideas for kids

It's your child's birthday party and you want to make it a success but how on earth do you amuse a group of rampaging five-year-olds? Innovative iVillage parents on the Entertaining the Kids message board have some ideas

1.) Sitting pretty - the perfect party for little girls
iVillager Ali was mulling over ideas for her daughter's fifth birthday while in the hairdressers and got inspired by her surroundings. After watching a group of girls come in to have their hair and nails done she decided to replicate the dressing up idea at home for her daughter's friends.

You need: glitter, nail varnish, cheap hair clips, beads, thread, plain white t-shirts, fabric paint and finger food.

This party idea is a great way to harness children's natural creativity as well as giving the parents a more relaxing afternoon. First of all, buy the above materials or think of other cheap prettifying bits and bobs. On the day of the party, set up some chairs and music in the garden - or clear a suitable space inside - with the finger food laid out. Once everyone arrives they can spend the time dressing up, painting their nails and making bracelets and necklaces as they eat. You and another parent can volunteer to be their hairdressers for the day and use clips and hair bobbles to tie their hair in new ways. Instead of party bags, buy plain T-shirts and some fabric paints and let them decorate the T-shirts themselves to take them home with them.

2.) Flappy fish
iVillager Mandie suggested this cheap and cheerful game to get everyone moving.

You need: different coloured sheets of A4 paper and lots of magazines

It's a good idea to have lots of quick, lively games on hand in case the party spirit flags. This one is excellent because it's cheap, easy and can be pulled out at any time. Before the party, cut out lots of fish shapes - one per A4 sheet of paper - making sure they are different colours. Then stand the children in a row, each with a magazine or newspaper and ask them to flap at the fish to make them move. The first one to the other side of the room wins.

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