As the world adapts to life online, we have realized that whilst we cannot meet up and hug our friends and family, we can still be together virtually!

Birthdays are not cancelled! Celebrations are not cancelled! They are just different! Here at Snow Princess Parties, we have collated ten tips for hosting an UNFORGETTABLE online party!

Decorations

We all know by now the importance of a good zoom background, and it is no different for your virtual party. Whether you put up banners up behind the birthday girl or get some pink princess balloons, the kids will love it! You could even go the extra mile with THEMED decorations, like a life-sized Barbie box or a makeshift rock for a mermaid to laze on. This will definitely make for some IMPRESSIVE photos!

2. Cake

No birthday is complete without a yummy cake! You could try your hand at baking, since we are all spending so much time at home now, but buying a beautifully made cake is also a fabulous option. Either way, it would be a great idea to find out what your little one likes and make it themed especially for the party!

We have seen plenty of beautiful birthday cakes online (and get a little bit sad that we cannot try them all!)

3. Party Packages

Filling little party bags with party hats or a quick activity (decorating a crown/superhero mask to wear to the party) is a fun idea if your guests live local to you! Click here for some tiara templates! You could even add a decorative cupcake that each child can have after the birthday child blows out their candles, so they do not feel too disappointed about not getting any birthday cake!

4. Screens and Space

From much experience with virtual parties, we believe the bigger the screen, the better! If possible, connect your devices to the TV or laptop for an all-round amazing experience, so the children can see their friends nice and clearly whilst still being able to dance around freely! If you are connecting your device to the TV, it is good to have the device just below the TV, so that when the little ones are dancing or talking to the birthday girl, they can still be seen by everyone!

5. Screens and Space

Whilst setting up your party location, please consider what the lighting is like! The light should be in front of the birthday child and behind the camera, so that they do not look like a shadow to everyone else. You could also consider adding lamps and ring lights, or better still, why not jazz up the room and add some colorful disco lights

6. Internet Connection

One of the most important things to do before the party is to CHECK YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION! You do not want you or your guests’ screens to freeze, causing you to miss out on aspects of the party! Make sure your party set up is near your internet router and that other people in the house are not streaming or downloading, to make sure there is no internet crisis. We also encourage indoor parties over outdoor, to limit the possibility of disconnections!

7. Inviting Everybody

One of the biggest perks of having an online virtual birthday party is that you can invite EVERYONE and ANYONE, from all over the world! Yes, even your Granny and Grandpa in Australia can join in and show off their dance moves! We usually recommend no more than 40 people at a virtual party, which is a perfect number for inviting the whole class and more!

8. Fancy Dress

Fancy Dress is one of our FAVOURITE things to see here at Snow Princess Parties; it is so much fun to see everyone dressed up as our favourite princesses and superheroes! We love it even more when the parents and grown-ups get involved too (we have seen some pretty amazing princess mummies!) Since we have to celebrate at home, there is no better excuse to get those princess dresses out of the wardrobe and have a proper ball!

9. Games

Prior to your party, make sure you have a good number of games to play that are high energy and exciting! Find some dance bops that everyone will be able to join in with (zoom allows you to share your sound so everyone can hear the music) or you could even set up some games that are personalised for the birthday child, like a scavenger hunt or a mini quiz! If you are planning a slightly longer party, why not add some craft activities, like drawing a birthday cake for the birthday child?!

10. Hire an Entertainer

Last but not least, hiring an entertainer takes all of the party stress away from you and allows you to sit back and ENJOY with your child. Your professional entertainer will plan activities that are proven to keep EVERYONE engaged, creating a unique and magical experience for the birthday child! We have a range of entertainers to choose from, whether your little one is into princesses, fairies, or superheroes – we have it all! Our five-star rated entertainers have truly perfected the art of online parties in the last year, so click here if you are interested in booking with us.

FINALLY… do not forget to have fun!  We try and make the whole experience as relaxing and enjoyable for parents as possible, and really encourage them to get involved with all of the party games and dances, since we know that you often end up missing out on special moments during the set up and the tidying at the end. That is one of the beauties of a virtual party: no mess! (I am sure that has sold it for you…)

With five years of experience entertaining parties at every single venue in and around Maidenhead about 30 times over, I have learnt that choosing a location is not a decision to be taken lightly!

From the good, the bad, and the ugly, I have compiled a list of the absolute best venues available to hire for your little one’s special day.

These locations include ONLY Maidenhead and surrounding areas and are simply a matter of opinion and experience. Our company is not affiliated with or sponsored by any of the venues mentioned, as we always strive for honesty and impartiality to give you the best advice possible!

So, what actually makes a good venue? 

Location – The last thing you want on the party day is 25 flustered parents ringing you up because they cannot find the venue. Make sure the area is easy to find and does not charge a fortune for parking! 

Size – It can be super hard to tell from an image online how big a space is, so we recommend visiting the venue in person before the big day. Remember: even if the empty hall looks big enough, once it is filled with 30 hyper children, lunch tables and sound systems, it may be a completely different story.

Acoustics – Put 30 kids, 30 adults (the grown-ups are the noisy ones), and a bouncy castle in a hall with bad acoustics and the result is deafening chaos. Even with expensive PA equipment and sound systems, if the acoustics in the venue are poor it can be incredibly noisy and hard to keep control. Newer buildings like sports halls usually have poor acoustics, whilst older, wooden buildings like churches are much better for sound control.

Facilities – This one goes without saying: access to nice clean toilets and a kitchen are must-haves. On top of this, a working power socket is essential for entertainers, who will be bringing sound systems and other party equipment.  

Cut it Out!– Recently, halls in built up residential areas have begun installing a box which cuts the power out if the noise level goes above a certain volume (yes, even at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon!). From experience, trying to keep the noise below the overly sensitive limit at a kid’s party is about as possible as pigs flying, meaning this is a nightmare for everyone involved. Often the power in the kitchen is unaffected, so I run an extension reel from there; I have learnt to spot these evil contraptions like a hawk! If you do not want your party disrupted every 15 minutes, it is best to avoid these venues all together.

Now, let us get onto our 10 favourite venue picks (in no particular order)…

1. Holyport War Memorial Hall

Location: Holyport, Maidenhead

 Contact Number: 01628 200500

Snow Princess Rating: 5/5

Holyport Memorial Hall has an excellent, spacious car park and is extremely easy to find. No flustered phone calls here! The inside is just as brilliant: there are plenty of chairs and tables in the large hall to easily accommodate bigger parties. Finally, the high ceilings mean great acoustics, so the children will have no trouble hearing the music and the entertainer. In my opinion, this venue has no drawbacks and will give you a party you will never forget.

2. Cox Green Youth and Community Centre

      Location: Cox Green, Maidenhead

      Contact Number: 01628636715

      Snow Princess Rating: 5/5

http://coxgreenscouts.co.uk

This community centre in Cox Green also ticks many boxes. It offers free parking, a separate ‘parent zone’ near the kitchen (for some peace and quiet!) and is large enough for 35 kids as well as adults.

3. Dorney Village Hall

      Location: Parish of Dorney, South Bucks (between Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough)

      Contact Number: 01628 200900

      Snow Princess Rating: 4/5

This hall is one I would definitely recommend hiring for larger parties: it can easily accommodate 35-40 children, has a large kitchen, and the separate dining area leaves lots of space for dancing around safely! As if this was not enough, there is a play park just outside the venue, in case the children are still full of energy after the party has ended. Overall, Dorney Hall is a light, bright, and good-feeling venue.

4. Pinder Hall – The Village Hall of Cookham

    Location: Cookham

    Contact Number: 01628819054

    Snow Princess Rating: 5/5

http://www.cookham.com/cookhamnow/hallbookings/pinderhall/pinderhall.htm

Pinder Hall is a lovely, large space and includes an equally roomy kitchen. This, as well as the high roof means it stays cool in the summer months and does not feel claustrophobic once filled with screaming kiddies! The older feel to the building also allows for great acoustics, to add the cherry on top of an already excellent party. However, Pinder Hall is somewhat lacklustre in terms of parking – you may end up having to carry your sandwiches and balloons from down the road! As long as you do not mind this small drawback, this venue would be a fabulous choice for your kid’s party.

5. Taplow Village Centre

    Location: Taplow, Buckinghamshire

      Snow Princess Rating: 5/5

https://www.taplow.org.uk/

I have to admit, this venue is one of my personal favourites! Once again, this old, stone building has high ceilings and subsequently excellent acoustics. It is also bright, airy, and very cool, with a separate room for the kids to have their party tea. The hall size is not huge, so I would avoid getting a bouncy castle or inviting over 35 kids, but the benefits certainly outweigh this small drawback.

6. Cox Green Scouts HQ

  Location: Cox Green, Maidenhead

      Contact Number: 01628418904

      Snow Princess Rating: 3/5

http://coxgreenscouts.co.uk/

Modern and clean facilities that include disabled access are among the main benefits of choosing Cox Green Scouts as your party location. It is also one of the most spacious halls on this list – big enough to hold a bouncy castle! The only disadvantage of this location is the lack of available parking; if you are planning on inviting more than twenty children, they may be facing a short trek to the party!

7. Norden Farm Centre for the Arts

    Location: Maidenhead

      Contact Number: 01628788997

      Snow Princess Rating: 4/5

https://norden.farm/

‘The Barn’ at Norden Farm is an ideal space to hire for your child’s special day, with artsy Tudor beams making it much more elegant than your average hall. The venue offers delicious catering options, allowing you to choose between a hot party tea or a cold buffet and saving you a great deal of hassle! In addition to the plethora of free parking and clean facilities, Norden is unique from a typical village hall because it is an arts centre: this means that their admin system is less archaic and they won’t take three weeks to respond about availability. The only drawback of choosing Norden is that they need to see Public Liability Insurance certificates from any entertainer you book. Luckily, if you choose Snow Princess Parties for your entertainment you can avoid this hassle altogether: Norden Farm knows us well and should have our documentation on file, so now you have really no excuse not to book!

8. Furze Platt Leisure Centre

 Location: Furze Platt Senior School, Maidenhead

      Contact Number: 01628308296

      Snow Princess Rating: 3.5/5

https://www.leisurecentre.com/

Choosing to hire Furze Platt Leisure Centre for the big day would be an excellent choice, due to its easy parking and accessibility (although the leisure centre is tucked around the back of the building), its immense space that can comfortably hold 40 children, and the well maintained and modern facilities. Where Furze Platt really shines is in the helpful staff that stay on hand throughout the party, as opposed to a village hall which leaves you to your own accord. So, if the pressure of the party planning is wearing you down and you could do with a helping hand on the special day, this venue is the one for you!

9. Woodlands Park Village Centre Sports Hall 

Woodlands Park Village Centre Sports Hall 

      Location: Waltham Road, Maidenhead

      Contact Number: 01628823964

      Snow Princess Rating: 4/5

https://www.whitewalthamparishcouncil.com/activities

I know, I know, I said I do not like sports halls… but if you are mad enough to have a party of 50 kids or more, Woodland Park Village Centre is the one for you! It provides you with a huge space, leaving plenty of room for food and games. The parking area is pleasant and reachable, whilst the kitchen and toilets are clean, modern, and fairly large. However… beware when booking this venue! There is another hall in the same building which is much smaller, hotter, with worse acoustics, which is far from ideal to host your kiddie birthday bash.

10. Larchfield Community Centre

Location: Desborough Crescent, Maidenhead

      Contact Number: 01628683964

      Snow Princess Rating: 4/5 

Last but certainly not least, Larchfield is an exemplary venue for smaller parties: with its high ceilings and exceptional acoustics, your little guests will have a fantastic day full of fun. The addition of free, uncomplicated parking means that you can forgive the area being a little more tucked away than other locations. What is not to love?!

Now… let the party begin!

You have heard my opinion of the best party venues the Maidenhead area has to offer, and now the rest is up to you! Once that first stage of booking a hall is over with, the food, entertainment, and decorations should fall into place like magic. However, if you are still feeling the pressure, be sure to book one of our entertainers, who will be sure to make your child’s day a little more magical, and a little less stressful for you at the same time! Good luck!

Frozen Kisses,

Lydia 

Managing Director

Snow Princess Parties

‘Pass the parcel’ is the Titan of children’s party games: it is an absolute classic, and an easy option at any party! Children love it and it even keeps big groups of kids amused – well, for at least 5 minutes anyway.

And it is nice and easy to do… right?! Well, yes, but there are a few secret tips and tricks, that we have figured out from years of trial and error, that will make things run a little smoother…

As the founder of a children’s entertainment company and having personally entertained hundreds of parties, I am probably the closest thing you can get to a professional ‘pass the parceler’ (I know, big claim!). From my years of both making and running ‘pass the parcel’ at parties,

I have compiled a list of 10 top tips, including how to make the parcel and run the game effectively, to help you master the parcel as well.

1. Layer Up!

Traditionally in ‘pass the parcel’ there is a hidden goodie between each layer, but the ultimate question is: what is the goodie?  Due to allergies and inclusivity (there is always one who is not allowed sweets!) you may want to use a small toy between each layer. However, SMALL is the key word here – otherwise your parcel will weigh three kilograms and cost a small fortune by the time you have done 25 layers. Also, most small cheap toys just end up in landfill,so try to choose something that will be appreciated. Hair bows, punch balloons and flat pack planes are all great options (see images below). 

If you do go for sweets (the preferred option by children), make sure that they are individually wrapped and are not going to be a choking hazard for young children. I have found that chocolate coins or starbursts are the best options.

2. The Star Prize

You could cut the tension with a knife. This is the moment everyone has been waiting for… what is in the centre?! Well, hopefully something square/rectangular shaped, otherwise wrapping all the layers around it will take forever. Despite your best efforts, it is hard to keep track of the layers and make sure that you know who will end up with the prize, so I would suggest making the main prize suitable for boys and girls of all ages. A sticker book, a slime making kit, or a craft kit are usually safe bets.

3. Let’s Wrap This Up!

If you use the same colour wrapping paper for every layer, the four-year-olds will end up ripping off three layers at once because they cannot see when they have removed a layer.

It is better to use alternating colours, or even newspaper in between the wrapping paper, to help differentiate the layers. 

It is also important to use only a small amount of Sellotape to wrap the layers: if you stick them down too well each child will have a real battle getting it off. The grown-ups will have to help and the kids will start to get bored because the whole thing is taking too long, so avoid too much tape!

4. Quantity or Quality?

You know what it is like with predicting how many kids will attend a party: nobody RSVP’s and either half cancel on the day or everyone turns up with 3 siblings. This makes predicting how many parcel layers to do pretty impossible. I would suggest not making a parcel more than 20 layers; if you are planning on having more than 20 kids, I would make two parcels and create two circles. Otherwise, the whole game goes on for far too long and everyone gets bored. However, it does not hurt to bring extra sweets, just in case someone misses out on a layer.

5. Boys versus Girls?

If there are over 25 children attending your party, it is a good idea to make 2 circles. However, I find that having separate parcels for boys and girls is an unnecessary complication; two unisex parcels is a better idea. Otherwise you will end up being stuck with a circle of 4 boys and 30 girls due to the unpredictability of the party guest list!

6. Don’t Stop the Music

Make sure you keep the tunes upbeat and fast paced! People will be opening layers left, right and centre, and you do not realise how many silent parts there are in some songs until you try and play this game. So, ditch the Adele ballads and get the party songs on! Make a playlist ahead of time with the latest children’s movie hits and change the song every other round to keep the party atmosphere going.

7. Forming a Circle is Harder Than it Looks!

If you have not tried to organise a group of 30 four-year-olds before, this question will seem totally bizarre. But, trust us, children will not simply follow instructions like “sit in a circle” if they are under the age of six, and will instead just sit down where they are. So, DO NOT announce that you are going to play ‘pass the parcel’, as this will cause chaos. I would suggest saying, “for our next game, we need everyone to stand in a big circle holding hands”. Giving them a countdown from three helps speed this up and organise everyone quickly and efficiently. Once they are all holding hands in a suitable circle you can tell the children to sit down where they are. And finally, you can explain the rules of the game – but make sure you have everyone’s attention and repeat the instructions twice!

8. Timing is Everything!

In my opinion, the best time to play ‘pass the parcel’ is after the children have had their party food, as it gives their food a chance to settle before they start running around like hooligans! They will also be calmer and fidget less, as they have just been sitting down to eat.

Children get bored easily and if they’ve already unwrapped a layer but the game is still going on, they are likely to get up and distract others, and then before you know it the whole game has fallen apart! Do not be afraid to put the music on again and yell “keep passing!” if someone is taking FOREVER to unwrap a layer. I find that this gives them a little nudge to get a wiggle on.

9. Prizes for Everyone!

If you have a big group of kids and are working with two circles at the same time, it is impossible to ensure that a new person has the parcel each time the music stops. Because of this, when I announce the rules at the beginning of the game, I make it clear that each child gets to unwrap ONE layer and should the parcel land on them a second time, they have to pass it to the person next to them (and so on, if that child has already unwrapped a layer). This makes the game fair and ensures that everyone gets a little prize.

10. Avoid playing with children under the age of three!!!

They cry at every pass when the parcel gets taken away from them. Honestly do not do it. You will regret it.

All sound a bit too complicated? Then why not just leave the entertainment to the experts? We offer a variety of party entertainers to take full control of the games, music and more, so you can sit back and relax. Click HERE for more information.

No matter how much we try to “Let it Goooo” the popularity of Anna, Elsa, and Olaf doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon! If your children haven’t been badgering you for a Frozen themed birthday party for what seems like forever, do you even have kids?! Luckily for you, we’re here to help! From our years of experience entertaining hundreds of parties, we have seen the most creative and clever ways to jazz up your Frozen party food, without spending a small fortune. So here are our Top 10 ideas for Frozen themed party foods that are affordable and easy to make, ensuring your little one’s day is a little bit more magical.

1. “Do you want to build a snowman?”

You will need:

• Marshmallows
• Chocolate Buttons
• Matchmakers or Pretzel Sticks
• Smarties or Skittles

It’s not just Elsa who can build snowmen, you know! Let the children join in on the magical and fun experience, by providing marshmallows for Olaf’s body, chocolate buttons for his buttons and eyes, matchmakers/pretzel sticks for his arms and orange smarties/skittles for the nose. You can even provide melted chocolate or icing to ‘glue’ everything together – although we do warn you, this could get messy!

This is super entertaining for the kids, and you have to do next to nothing in terms of preparation, so in our opinion, it’s a win-win.

2. Thaw a Frozen Heart

You will need:

• Strawberries
• White Chocolate

We know a frozen heart is a bad thing… but it is actually quite tasty!

All you need for this snack is strawberries that are vaguely shaped like a heart, and white chocolate. Melt the white chocolate carefully over a stove or in the microwave, dip the bottom half of the strawberries in the melted chocolate, and then put them in the fridge to set. By only coating half the strawberry in chocolate, it gives the impression of a frozen heart thawing (and more importantly, doesn’t give the children too much of a sugar rush!).

This is a simple, yet effective way to make eating fruit more exciting.

3. Frozen Waters

You will need:

• Whatever soft/fizzy beverages you want!
• Lots of blue food colouring
• Ice

Whilst this one isn’t exactly food, it was too good not to put on the list.

Every good party needs a fruit punch to wash everything down, so why not make it Frozen themed? We suggest a tropical mix of lemonade and pineapple juice; this is refreshing and not too heavy, which is exactly what the children need after running around and dancing for hours! But it’s really up to you – you can always cut out the sugar altogether and just go for a mix of soft drinks. The main part is the blue food colouring, to create the signature ‘Frozen’ look, and you can maximise this effect by adding lots of ice cubes. However, we recommend that your drink/drinks mixture is light in colour; if you use something like blackcurrant juice, the blue food colouring will not work as well!

4. Frostbite(s)

You will need:

• Unsalted Butter
• Caster Sugar
• Eggs
• Self-Raising Flour
• Vanilla Extract
• Milk
• Lollipop Sticks
• Blue Food Colouring
• Icing Sugar
• Smarties or other sweets

Want to BAKE your party even better (see what I did there?!)? These cute cake pops will give the children (and adults!) their sugar fix, without being overwhelmingly filling and sickly.

Mix together the butter, caster sugar, eggs, flour, milk, and vanilla extract, and then bake until golden brown. Next, crumble the cake into little pieces, and add frosting to the mixture (you can make this using butter, icing sugar, vanilla extract, and a little milk. Once the frosting is thoroughly mixed in, the mixture should be a fudge-like texture; chill for one hour, before breaking the mixture up into small round balls. Now for the fun part! Add the blue food colouring to the icing sugar, insert the lollipop sticks into the cake pops (using the icing sugar to make sure they stay in), and dip them into the blue icing sugar. Remember those orange smarties you used earlier for the build-a-snowman kit? Well, you can now use the blue ones to decorate your cake pops – or any other sweet treats you have in the back of your cupboard.

This certainly takes the meaning of frostbite to a whole new level!

5. Sweet Snowflakes

You will need:

• Unsalted Butter
• Caster Sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla Extract
• Plain White Flour
• Baking Powder
• Icing Sugar
• Blue Food Colouring
• Decorative Sweets
• Rolling Pin
• Snowflake Cookie Cutter
• Piping Bags

Nothing says ‘Frozen’ more than magical snowflakes – trust us, if we had a pound for every snowflake we’ve seen at a Frozen themed party, then we’d never need to work again! So why not put a sweet twist on this icy classic by making some snowflake biscuits?!

Create the dough using butter, caster sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, and baking powder. Then, roll the dough out with a rolling pin and cut out the biscuits using a snowflake cookie cutter (you should be able to find one in most homeware stores), and bake in the oven. Finally, once they have cooled, you can go to town on the decor! You may want to add the blue food colouring to half of your icing sugar and leave the other half white, to make your biscuits alternating colours. Use a piping bag to create the snowflake design and decorate with sweets as you please!

Who knew snowflakes could taste so good?

6. Some People are Worth Melting For

You will need:

• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Chocolate Buttons
• Matchmakers or Pretzel Sticks

This super simple sweet snack is definitely worth melting for. All you need is a scoop of vanilla ice cream and then you can scatter the chocolate buttons on top and stick two matchmakers/pretzel sticks into it. The ice cream will look like a melted Olaf, with matchmakers/pretzel sticks for arms and chocolate buttons for eyes and buttons. And just like that: you can bring the magic of Olaf to your party, with just five minutes’ worth of preparation.

7. Sven’s Snacks

You will need:

• Carrots
• Baby Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Salad Dressing

I’m sure you’ve tried almost every way to get your child to eat their five-a-day, but how about telling them that they’re eating the same food as one of their Disney heroes? Simply chop the carrots and cucumbers into child-friendly, bite-size sticks, and dip them in the salad dressing to look like snow.

Who knew vegetables could be so appealing?!

8. We Finish Each Other’s… Sandwiches

You will need:

• A variety of sandwiches

We will admit, this is far from the most complicated or original party snack, but it never hurts to include an absolute classic with a Frozen twist.

Simply arrange the savoury snacks as you usually would, but don’t forget to include the Anna and Hans quote. They certainly won’t be the only ones finishing each other’s sandwiches: the children will love this reference to one of their favourite songs, and they’ll truly believe these sandwiches are fit for Arendelle royalty!

9. An Icy Force

You will need:

• Jelly
• Blue Food Colouring

We all know how much Kristoff loves ice, but have you ever considered how much better sweet, edible ice would be?! Well, this jelly treat has got you covered. If you’re feeling brave, you can attempt to make the jelly yourself, but in our opinion, it’s much easier to pop down to your local supermarket and buy a ready-made pack.

Then, all you need to do is add water, blue food colouring (if you can’t find a blue jelly) and refrigerate. Once the jelly is set, use a knife to cut it into cubes, and there you have your ice!

There are also many sugar-free jelly options in the supermarkets, so you don’t have to worry about the kids getting a major sugar rush… ok, now you really have no excuse not to give this a go. We wouldn’t say this icy force is both foul and fair… mainly just fair.

10. The ICE-ing on the (Cup)Cake

You will need:

• Unsalted Butter
• Caster Sugar
• Eggs
• Self-Raising Flour
• Vanilla Extract
• Milk
• Blue Food Colouring
• Icing Sugar
• Blue Cupcake Cases

Want to avoid slaving away in the kitchen for seven days making the ultimate Frozen birthday cake extravaganza? Or maybe you just want to add an extra sweet treat to your party? Whatever it may be, cupcakes are guaranteed to improve any party, and are a lot simpler to make than a HUGE birthday cake. So, get your blue icing and sprinkles at the ready! When in doubt, cupcakes are ALWAYS the answer.

So, there you have it: every ‘Frozen’ themed party food you could ever need, to take your party to the next level! But, if you feel something is still missing, you can make your child’s birthday even more unforgettable by hiring one of our entertainers. You can have Anna, Elsa, or Olaf (or all three!) hosting your little one’s party, jam-packed full of games, music, and photo opportunities, leaving you to put all your attention into these crazy Frozen foods! Sounds like a dream, right?! Click HERE for more information.

Frozen kisses, The Snow Princess Parties Team xo

Planning your child’s birthday party takes serious skill. Not only are you taking on a sugar-fuelled army of kiddos, but dealing with the venue, food, entertainer, and *gasp* other parents, can leave you feeling deflated and stressed on a day that should be special. Not to mention your own little angel, who may or may not choose to behave themselves on the day.

Keen to minimise any hassle and maximise fun for everyone involved? 

Our entertainers have compiled together their knowledge from many years of experiencing the good, the bad, and the surprisingly calm children’s parties, to give you 10 top tips to help you make the most out of your little one’s big day.

Please do pass our words of wisdom on to other parents you know – we’ve got to stick together!

1. Say Goodbye to the ‘Whole Class Invitation’

The first step of planning your child’s birthday party is deciding numbers, and though they may want their whole class of 40 children attending (more presents!), realistically this is a recipe for disaster. Don’t be guilt-tripped by the dreaded ‘payback’ invite (“our kid got an invite to their party, so now we have to invite their kids”); not only will this skyrocket the price for you, but the entertainer’s attention will be spread too thin, meaning less fun all round. For this reason, we recommend 25 children or less. HuffPost’s not being invited to parties builds resilience is a great read for more information on this.

2. Entertainment Comes First

While we’re on the subject of entertainers, booking your entertainer BEFORE the venue is a great idea! A hall is just a hall at the end of the day, but a well-chosen entertainer makes the party. Click HERE to book one of our fabulous entertainers. 

3. Pre-Cut the Cake

Cutting the birthday cake before the party for the party bags, or alternatively providing cupcakes, saves a lot of time, mess, and hassle. Do you really want to miss the last 15 minutes of your child’s special day cutting up cake and missing the magical memories?

4. Make your Party Bags Practical

Why spend money on tat that you know the children will never use just to fill a party bag? Get creative – small story books and arts and crafts are great, affordable and most importantly usable options to entertain children and parents alike!

5. Caffeine is NOT the Answer

Although the day may prompt all the parents to want a caffeine kick, running around like a headless chicken at the start of the party, trying to remember who wants sugar and who wants soya milk for 20-30 varieties of teas and coffees, is not a good idea. Why not save yourself the time and stress by providing a buffet of nibbles and drinks for the parents, to allow them to help themselves to Pimms and fruit juice instead?

6. The Struggles of the Spotlight

It’s hard being the centre of attention on your big day, and most children certainly feel the pressure. From our experience, constantly filming and fussing over your child when they’re not joining in can leave them feeling self-conscious and stressed, which is the last thing you want during a fun-filled party!

7. Wait Until Lunch!

Any entertainer knows the struggle of trying to complete all our action-packed party activities when the kids are distracted by nibbles. After all, it’s hard to do the limbo or hold a parachute with a doughnut in hand! We find a designated food break of around 30 minutes allows for maximum entertainment and helps the event run much more smoothly, so that you’re fully getting your money’s worth on your child’s special day.

8. Sweet Temptations

Speaking of lunch, we all can relate to the temptation of choosing the big chocolate muffin over the cheese sandwich. Therefore, you should allow 10/15 minutes for the kids to eat their savoury food before bringing out the sweet treats, unless of course you want to be eating leftover sandwiches for the next week!

9. It’s a No to Party Blow(ers)

Trust us, 25 children with party blowers at lunch is not fun for parents or entertainers alike: the entertainers can’t be heard even over the PA system, and you are sure to go home without your hearing. That doesn’t mean the kids should miss out on this party classic altogether though; why not pop them in the party bags to annoy the parents when they get home? (Just don’t tell them we told you to…)

10. The Palaver of Packing Up 

Although packing away before the end of the event to save precious time can be tempting, the reality is very different: noisy, distracting, and quite frankly, dangerous! It’s not useful or practical for bored parents to start lugging chairs and tables across a hall whilst your poor entertainer attempts to organise a relay race to end the party with a bang… You have paid for enough time at the venue to pack down after the guests have left.

And Voila!

Following all these tips will be sure to give your little one a day to remember, the perfect princess party. You can thank us later!

Working as a staff nurse on a busy NHS ward, I would get likened to a certain famous frozen queen almost every day by patients, so when a friend asked me to dress as Elsa for a family fun day, I jumped at the opportunity.

Nevertheless, I was absolutely stunned by the reaction: hundreds of children queuing to take photos with little old me! From then onwards, I was inundated with requests to attend events and birthday parties. Five years later, and entertaining children is not only my full-time job, but also my total passion in life.

I have been recognized as Elsa countless times in public, most commonly on trains and in supermarkets. I can’t remember how many times people have shouted ‘Let it Go’ at me in public, it happens so often! Even on the other side of the world, I’m unable to shake my Frozen resemblance. Whilst on holiday in Vietnam, local people would point and compare me against Frozen merchandise.

Some of my career highlights include introducing ITV Racing, being featured in various national and international publications, including The Sun and The Daily Star, as well as starring in a YouTube video with over 7 million views!

Even after having entertained at over 1000 parties, you never lose the special, rewarding feeling of meeting a child whilst dressed as their favourite character, their ultimate idol. I still get goose bumps as I twirl and dance, looking down at all the gorgeous little girls in their princess dresses copying my every move, completely in awe.

The reaction from the little ones makes me sometimes forget that I’m not actually a magical ice princess who lives in a castle! Like Father Christmas, it is undoubtedly the children who bring the character to life, and their spirit is really the heart and soul of my work. I believe that the few years when children believe in unicorns, fairies and magic are truly precious, and I’m so blessed to be in a position to bring that fairy tale to life. As cliché as it sounds, when they ask me so earnestly, “what is your palace like”, or exclaim “I thought you were just on the telly, I can’t believe I’ve actually met you!”, for a moment it makes me forget reality and get completely lost in the magic. 

Princess Lydia xx

Snow Princess Parties 

Managing Director 

Throwing the perfect unicorn party –

It’s a normal day. Everything is going well, until you hear these dreaded words from your little one, jumping up at down with excitement: “I want a unicorn party, Mummy!” You dismiss it as a phase, but as you begin to hear these demands more and more, the panic sets in. “How on earth am I meant to pull off a magical, yet affordable party for my child in just a few months?!” Well, panic over; Snow Princess Parties are here to help! From decorations to entertainment, food and added extras, our entertainers have shared their secrets for a unicorn party full of magic and sparkle. So, let’s get started!

1. Glamming up the Venue : Unicorn party decoration

Keeping it Simple:

Whether you’re hiring a hall or braving 10 screaming kids in your house, transforming your venue into a magical unicorn utopia will make your child’s birthday dreams come true. And this doesn’t have to cost you the earth either! Bunting and balloons in purples, blues and pinks, are a simple yet effective way to transform your venue. Hang them up around the room, above doors, and even on the outside fences and bushes to keep the magic alive. Coloured balloons are also great to have outside the venue, for people to spot the party destination! If you want to go all out, you can even buy some helium balloons which will entertain the children for hours (until one inevitably let’s go and the balloon floats away)!

To keep the magic alive even when the children are eating, why not pick up some unicorn plates, cups and tablecloths? These are cheap and easy to find, both online and in your local supermarket. After all, who doesn’t want to eat in style on their birthday?

Adding the Extra Sparkle:

So now you have the basics, why not jazz things up a little more?! A great way to do this is with a presentation table. Here you can display the birthday cake and other sweets, party bags, name banners and lots more! This also acts as a great photo backdrop, for you to remember the magic of the day. The big “Happy Birthday” moment will be more wonderful than ever; everyone gathered around this beautiful display will make the birthday child feel super special.

2. A Piece of Cake: Unicorn birthday cake ideas

Now that the decorations are out of the way, it’s time to turn our attention to the star of the show: the cake. This is the part most parents shudder at the thought of. Will everyone be whispering behind your back at the school run on Monday, about how poor the cake tasted? Is it worth the risk of making it yourself? Or do hire a professional baker? Aahhhhh!

Instead of panicking, start by looking at some of these beautiful cakes that we’ve seen at parties over the years for inspiration. Unfortunately, the decision of baking a cake or hiring someone to do it for you is something we can’t help you with, so we’re going to have to leave that to your judgement! Cupcakes are another great option to add if you are not looking to have anything too big, or you might even want to go for both. Whatever your decision may be, give your party a cake Mary Berry would be proud of!

3. All Fun and Games

Now for the fun part! Entertainment can make or break your party, so it is something that needs careful consideration. Thankfully, this is our area of expertise, so you’re in safe hands with this advice!

A Helping Hand:

Hiring an entertainer is a great way to remove the stress of entertaining masses of screaming children all by yourself. We provide beautiful professional unicorn entertainers (pictured on the right) who keep the children entertained from start to finish, providing a sound system, music, games and prizes! You can sit back and have a well-deserved break, whilst our entertainers take care of everything for you. Visit our website www.snowpriness.co.uk for more information.
Its important to pick a company carefully and investigate everything they offer, making sure they tick all your boxes.

Jumping for Joy:

You might want to hire a bouncy castle as your entertainment. These can be used in halls or even in your garden if you are having a summer garden party. The kids will be occupied for hours!

Going Solo:

Are you feeling super brave? Then why not save some money and entertain all the children yourself? Grab yourself a speaker, create a playlist and you’re ready to go with the music! But how do you stop them from running riot? If you’re having a house party, setting up a table with some arts and crafts is a fun way to keep them entertained, but remember to cover everything with a cloth, tissues or newspaper. Your beautiful white carpet might not look as good when its covered in pink pen! Some fun crafty activities could be decorating their own crown, colouring in or even creating their own Unicorn! Another option is to run a disco style party: you can never go wrong with the classics like ‘pass the parcel’ or ‘musical statues’ (but they must freeze as unicorns)! You can also pick up some great games online or in your local shop, such as pin the horn on the unicorn or a unicorn piñata. You will be the envy of all the other parents once they hear that you successfully entertained 25 five-year olds by yourself!

4. An Extra Sprinkle of Magic

Now you’ve got the basics for a sensational unicorn party, there are plenty of easy ways to make the day even more unforgettable.

Dreams Do Come True:

Having a real-life unicorn at your party sounds like every adult’s dream, let alone every child’s! So why not make that a reality? This will definitely be a great surprise and provide everlasting memories for everyone there.

Glitz and Glam:

A bit of glitter makes everything better, so why not create the ultimate unicorn vibes and glitter everyone up?! Setting up your own glitter booth or hiring a glitter artist to complete the job for you are great options to delight the children. There are many talented artists you can hire, but we can recommend www.unistylez.com who also use all biodegradable glitter!

And… Pose!

A photo booth is another great little extra for your party, and it’s super easy to do yourself! Grab yourself a unicorn backdrop and hang this up on a wall, or anywhere appropriate. You can buy, print out, or even make your own backdrop, by using a plain coloured sheet and adding some balloons! Gather some fun props for the children (you can get creative with these!) and finally a willing adult with a phone to take photos. It’s as easy as that! You will then have lots of wonderful memories of your perfect unicorn party, that’ll last forever!

The Finishing Touch…

The one thing every child wants to remember the special day is a party bag! But why not jazz up this typical cliché and give unicorns instead? It’s something different, fun and will last a lot longer. Even the adults will be lining up for this special treat! But if you want to do party bags that’s totally fine too; simply pick up some unicorn party bags at your local shop or online and add anything you like. Some examples of things you could add are sweets, colouring sheets and pencils, stickers, hair clips, mini unicorns and much more! Get creative with it!

And Voila!

Those are the ingredients to a perfect Unicorn Party! The party you were once dreading when first started reading this is now something you can’t wait to start planning! We would love to hear all about your party and see all your pictures. You can send these to katy@snowprincess.co.uk.