Unique Party Ideas for Kids

A kid’s birthday party is perfect for bringing your inner child out to play. As the world becomes more diverse, birthday parties become even more fun, entertaining, and engaging for kids. Here’s a list of a few unique ideas you can explore for your child’s next birthday bash!

KARAOKE PARTY



The ultimate ice-breaker, Karaoke is a fun and engaging party idea that’ll keep the kids busy, entertained, and excited. It promises bucket-loads of fun and appeals to all ages, especially kids! You can rent out a karaoke machine (here’s a list of vendors) or set up a simple karaoke system at home (refer to the checklist below).

To keep things interesting, you can even turn the party into a karaoke contest and give out gifts to all the participants!

Checklist

  • Speakers
  • Mic & TV display
  • Karaoke playlist – you can find karaoke channels on YouTube (Sing King) or make one using your favorite tunes!

CITY BUS TOUR



Images via Nilambari Open Deck Bus Tour, Mumbai

Here’s one unique party idea that’d probably get every parent’s vote! Take the kids out on a chartered open deck city bus tour and give them a chance to have their very own birthday picnic. You can show them around the city’s hot spots and stop for treats along the way, and here’s the best part – no mess to clean up at home!

Checklist

  • Booking the City Bus Tour (Spreeh recommends Nikamal, rated by TripAdvisor!)
  • Birthday treats and goodies (you can pack the food in travel-safe tiffins)
  • Birthday cake (imagine cutting the cake at a famous city landmark)
  • Some paper plates, cutlery, and trash bags
  • Birthday bus playlist for some energetic singalongs
  • A camera to capture the memories!

CARNIVAL FIESTA




Bring home the carnival for your kid’s birthday party! Besides the carnival-themed decor, and a big, bold and bright birthday cake, you can think of hiring a photo booth, serving easy finger food for the munchies, and throwing in some low-maintenance carnival-themed games (we’ve got a checklist for all your needs listed below!).

And if you really want to go all out, don’t be afraid of the mess and treat the kids to a face-painting session, or hire a mini-trampoline if you’ve got some outdoor space.

Checklist

  • Carnival decorations (party-supplies stores, here!)
  • Show-stopping birthday cake (our fav confectionaries here!)
  • Photobooth for hire (a few vendors, here!)
  • Trampoline for hire (a few vendors, here!)
  • Chart papers and hula hoops for games
  • Art supplies for face painting kits
  • Carnival games ideas

 BIRTHDAY OLYMPICS




Kids love some friendly competition. You can set up a few games (such as sack races, musical chairs, twister; three to four will do great), divide your guest into teams, and DIY a scoreboard. You can organize a fun little awards ceremony at the end and hand out special prizes to the winning teams.

Checklist

  •       Backyard space (You could also use your apartment complex’s common area, or go to a nearby park)
  •       Whiteboard and markers for the scoreboard
  •        Prizes for the participants

What is Your Party Style? Got a minute? Take the quiz!

The food, the music, the memories, we firmly believe that parties can be one of the best things on planet Earth. But ever wondered what’s your favourite style of partying? Well, we’ve got a fun little quiz for you to find out!

  1. 1 Pick some people to party with.
  1. a) My local social circle
  2. b) Friends, acquaintances, strangers, and anyone really!
  3. c) My family, ALL of them
  4. d) Co-workers, industry folk, and high-society people
  1. 2 What kind of décor would you rather see at a party?
  1. a) Twinkling warm lights, polaroids, and house plants
  2. b) Disco ball, strobe lights and a photo booth, and a well-stocked bar
  3. c) Fun floral arrangements, colourful streamers, and al-fresco dining
  4. d) Exotic florals, posh tables & contemporary art pieces (maybe an ice sculpture or two!)
  1. 3 You had a crazy night. What snaps did you find on your camera roll?
  1. a)     Funny videos and your pals passed out
  2. b)     You singing karaoke and something blurry

c )     Pictures of the food and group photos

  1. d)      Your outfit and some poses for the ‘gram
  1. 4 You’ve to pick your party outfit, what do you wear?
  1. a) Something comfy but cute (tee and jeans all the way)
  2. b) Something sexy (time to bring out the LBD)
  3. c) Something casual-chic (breezy maxi dress or chinos)
  4. d) Something sophisticated (your fav power-suit or the gorgeous black-tie gown)
  1. 5 At a party you are most likely to be
  1. a)         Laughing, crying, and winning at Monodeal
  2. b)         Taking refills at the bar and busting some moves
  3. c)       Eating your heart out
  4. d)       Meeting new people
  1. 6 Pick a theme that excites you the most
  1. a)       Game Night
  2. b)       Retro
  3. c)        Carnival
  4. d)        Cocktail or Black Tie
  1. 7 Where would you like to party the most?
  1. a)       My home (I love hosting)
  2. b)       The town’s best new hotspot!
  3. c) A farmhouse or somewhere outdoors
  4. d)        A beautiful resort or city hall!
  1. 8 Which of these sounds like your ideal night out?
  1. a) Playing pool or watching a match or game night at a friend’s
  2. b) Dancing the night away in your go-to club
  3. c) Out for a movie with the fam
  4. d) Networking in the town’s best restaurants
  1. 9 What kind of food does this party have?
  1. a) Your favourite take-out
  2. b) Some lip-smacking finger food, but you’re mostly at the bar!
  3. c) Barbecue and some potpie
  4. d)        A fancy fine dining spread
  1. 10 It’s 12 am, what’s your night looking like?
  1. a) It’s getting late but still fun
  2. b) The night is young
  3. c) Saying our goodbyes now!
  4. d) Already in bed

Your result:

Mostly a’s: Happening House-party! 

You love hosting and a fun, cozy night in with your best pals is a night well spent for a homebody like you.

Mostly b’s: Wild Night Out

You are young, wild, and adventurous and so are your night-outs! You love to turn strangers into friends, and you have a damn good time doing it.

Mostly c’s: Big Fat Family Fiesta

You know how to turn family time into a real party. There’s great food, lots of laughter, and even more love!

Mostly d’s: A Posh Gala  

You have a wardrobe filled with party outfits to impress your peers and you love it (also, your photos are impeccable).

The Zero Food Waste Guide for Your Party Planning Notes

In honor of World Food Day, we’re creating a comprehensive guide to help you successfully curb food waste at your next dinner party.

A well-thought-out food waste plan is an undisputed requisite in the modern host’s party toolkit. From food prep to party scrapes, we’re listing some easy but essential steps you can take to ensure maximum fun and minimum waste.

Go Local, Be Seasonal

Make an audit of your guest’s eating preferences and prioritize seasonal and local produce while planning your party menu

Plan with the Industry Portion Size in Mind

In order to avoid cooking excess food, try streamlining the preparations to the catering industry portion size of two helpings per person.

Recyclables or Reusables Only

Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones, and opt for serving food in reusable cutlery & crockery.

This way, not only do you get to show off some gorgeous linens and fine china, but you can also effortlessly elevate the mood of the party by making your guests feel valued & appreciated.

#ProTip: Make sure to start the party with an empty dishwasher and washing machine, so at the end of the night you can load everything at once and wake up to two less home chores!

Make the Party PSA

Before you begin the feast, make a quick announcement to guests about the recycling process and food scraps disposal. You can inform them about your waste reduction efforts and educate them about waste separations bins.

Segregate Your Waste

Have a system for waste segregation, and also to separate out quality food from the leftovers.

Make sure trash, recycling, and food scraps are sorted correctly for the disposal process. Clearly label your waste bins to avoid confusion and contamination (do keep in mind that plastic bags should not go in your recycling bin!).

There’s a Lot You Can do with Leftovers

For the leftover food, you can request your guests to bring lunch boxes to take food in, or you can hand it out to them in reusable containers.

Alternatively, you can tie up with organizations that feel the needy, homeless, or even stray animals, and donate the leftovers for their feeding drives. This way, you’ll not only be reducing food waste but also be helping goodwill forces fight food shortage and hunger at the grassroots level in your city.

Consider Composting

For food scraps, you can consider composting at home, and if that’s not feasible, see if you have a neighbor or friend who will take your food scraps to compost or use as animal feed.

Once you start implementing these steps, you’re on your way to becoming a conscious and responsible green host, whose parties are not only fun but also kind to the Earth.

The Zero-Waste Party Plan

It’s the roaring twenties again and we’ve ascended into the realm of a post-pandemic world. Parties and gatherings, no matter how big or small, have made a much-awaited comeback, and we’ve learned to not take these moments for granted. This is why it’s important that we party like we’re in 2022, with a zero-waste party plan that leaves no carbon footprint and is easy on the planet.

There is literally no downside to an eco-friendly party. All it takes is a little pre-planning, a few supplies, and some creativity. Don’t know where to start? Here’s a little guide for going waste-free for your next big (or small) shindig.

Make a Sustainable Statement with the Invite: You can set the tone for your party with the invitation itself. Embrace paperless and opt for an e-invite accustomed to your theme. You can get creative or choose from countless templates online. If you’re still keen on traditional paper invites, opt for eco-friendly and plantable seed paper that will grow into something beautiful or delicious!

Keep it Real with Earth-Friendly Décor: If you haven’t experimented with natural décor, you’re missing out. Mother Earth has some beautiful, otherworldly bounties that make for the most captivating décor. Think florals, ferns, fruits, twigs, and more florals! You can stay true to your color palette and even think of using dried foliage for an understated look. You can also focus on all kinds of lighting décor, and eco-friendly paper décor to mix things up.

Break Out the China for Table Essentials: It’s easy to fall for disposables and their convenience, especially when you think of the cleaning job after. But there’s no denying that we’re making a gigantic, wasteful, and hazardous mess in choosing that. Don’t be afraid to break out the good china, or some stunning ceramics and glassware. It’s a cleaning job but it’s worth it. Besides, stunning tableware always doubles up as décor!

Pro-tip: Keep your washing machine empty so you can throw in all your cloth napkins for a quick wash right after hosting.

Make a Failproof Food-Waste Plan: Prep and planning go a long way in avoiding food waste. Here are a few tips to help you curb food wastage.

  • Make an audit of your guest’s eating preferences and stick to the catering industry portion size of two helpings per person.
  • Keep seasonal food in mind while planning your menu and prioritize local produce.
  • Set up a food compost bin and request your guests to get some tiffins to take home party leftovers. You can also tie up with a local shelter to send all the extra goodies to.

 

Feel Good Party Favours: Party favors are a tricky deal, most guests either love their little token or hate it. Either way, party favors tend to be pretty wasteful if not thought out carefully. Here are a few of our favorite Earth-friendly options!

  • Kids: Eco crayons, natural play dough, candy, organic art supplies
  • Adults: Herb kits, plants & succulents, local/homegrown honey or chocolate, natural consumables (organic candles, lotions, wines, etc.)

 

P.S Ditch the plastic for packaging and go for cloth bags, potlis, ribbons, jars, or jute.

Fun, kind, and guilt-free, there’s no better way to throw a party than an Earth-friendly party. Small changes make a big difference, you don’t have to get everything right the first time. If you’re not in a position to switch to zero-waste completely, start with one department at a time. But start somewhere, because, in all honesty, zero waste is not a choice but a necessity.

The Complete Guide to Planning an Authentic Mexican Fiesta (Part II)

The Fiesta

We strongly believe that one should experience the joy of an authentic Mexican Fiesta with their friends and family at least once in their life. It’s a gathering filled with vibrant color, fantastic food, great music, and endless joy.
In Part I, we covered everything you need for a full Mexican Feast – authentic, easy-to-make recipes for your appetizers, mains, mocktails, and cocktails.
Now, read on to know everything you need for creating the right ambiance for an authentic Mexican Fiesta

1. Party Décor

Vibrant, fun, and fresh is the perfect way to describe the decorations for an authentic Mexican Fiesta. If you want to truly channel the spirit of an authentic fiesta, you can look at incorporating the colors of the Mexican Flag – a roaring red, contrasting white, and lush green!
Lace your entrance with Fiesta theme décors such as sombreros, colorful flags, chili pepper streamers, cacti succulents, patterned throw pillows, acoustic guitars, and drums. You can even order a bunch of mini sombreros for your guests to raise the fiesta spirit.

2. Table Décor

The table décor can really be the centerpiece of your fiesta décor. A Mexican feast calls for a bright and eclectic table adorned with colors, flowers, food, and cocktails that promise a good time and an even better meal.

Start with your selection of vibrant table runners and napkins, you can top them with some bright and lush floral arrangements, or go for the traditional cacti and succulents in colorful pots. Another fresh take is to fill bowls or vases with freshly cut citrus fruits such as limes, oranges, or lemons that add to the fun and vibrant fiesta fervor.

You can also place several maracas around the table for a fun addition that guests can enjoy!

3. Music & Entertainment

Nothing puts you in the Mexican party mood more than Mexican music! Think soulful South American jazz, melodious acoustic guitars or the euphoric rhythm of a mariachi band! You can curate a perfect party on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, or Gaana or you can check out some downloadable playlists online. Either way, we have a few recommendations to get you dancing!

  1. Tequila by The Champs
  2. Oye Como Va by Santana
  3. La Cucaracha
  4. Tijuana Taxi by Herb Alpert
  5. La Bamba by Ritchi Valens
  6. South of the Border by Frank Sinatra
  7. Mexican Hat Dance aka Chiapanecas
  8. Bamboleo by the Gypsy Kings
  9. Mexico by Bob Moore & His Orchestra
  10. Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo
  11. Vaya Con Dios
  12. Guatanamera by Celia Cruz

 

Playlist courtesy of mesagrapevine.com

4. Party Games

The best way to dial up the spirit of a party is to throw in some fun party games in the mix. You can invite your guests to play some easy and popular party games but make it Mexican! Think of paper dance, but make it salsa or think of musical chairs but this time with sombreros! Everyone passes the sombreros around in a circle and when the music stops you have to put it on and do a little easy Mexican Hat Dance – the national dance of Mexico! Then of course there is the classic Mexican Piñata, the participants are blindfolded and take turns to break the piñata with a stick to release the goodies!

5. Party Favors

Leave your guests with a little something that reminds them of what could arguably be one of the best days of their life! A decorative sombrero, a succulent, or the traditional Mexican maraca would make an ideal souvenir for the party. You can browse through Amazon, or go to Etsy to select some cute handmade Mexican party favors5

What is Your Party Style?

What is Your Party Style?
Got a minute? Take the quiz!

The food, the music, the memories, we firmly believe that parties can be one of the best things on planet Earth. But ever wondered what’s your favorite style of partying? Well, we’ve got a fun little quiz for you to find out!

1. Pick some people to party with.

  • My local social circle
  • Friends, acquaintances, strangers, and anyone really!
  • My family, ALL of them
  • Co-workers, industry folk, and high-society people

 

2. What kind of décor would you rather see at a party?

  • Twinkling warm lights, polaroids, and house plants
  • Disco ball, strobe lights and a photo booth, and a well-stocked bar
  • Fun floral arrangements, colorful streamers, and al-fresco dining
  • Exotic florals, posh tables & contemporary art pieces (maybe an ice sculpture or two!)

 

3. You had a crazy night. What snaps did you find on your camera roll?

  • Funny videos and your pals passed out
  • You singing karaoke and something blurry
  • Pictures of the food and group photos
  • Your outfit and some poses for the gram

 

4. You’ve to pick your party outfit, what do you wear?

  • Something comfy but cute (tee and jeans all the way)
  • Something sexy (time to bring out the LB
  • Something casual-chic (breezy maxi dress or chinos)
  • Something sophisticated (your fav power-suit or the gorgeous black-tie gown)

 

5. At a party you are most likely to be

  • Laughing, crying, and winning at Monodeal
  • Taking refills at the bar and busting some moves
  • Eating your heart out
  • Meeting new people

 

 6. Pick a theme that excites you the most

  • Game Night
  • Retro
  • Carnival
  • Cocktail or Black Tie

 

7.  Where would you like to party the most?

  • My home (I love hosting)
  • The town’s best new hotspot!
  • A farmhouse or somewhere outdoors
  • A beautiful resort or city hall!

 

8. Which of these sounds like your ideal night out?

 

 

  • Playing pool or watching a match or game night at a friend’s
  • Dancing the night away in your go-to club
  • Out for a movie with the fam
  • Networking in the town’s best restaurants

 

9. What kind of food does this party have?

 

 

  • Your favorite take-out
  • Some lip-smacking finger food, but you’re mostly at the bar!
  • Barbecue and some potpie
  • A fancy fine dining spread

 

10.  It’s 12 am, what’s your night looking like?

 

 

  • It’s getting late but still fun
  • The night is young
  • Saying our goodbyes now!
  • Already in bed

 

Your result:

 

Mostly a’s: Happening House-party!
You love hosting and a fun, cozy night in with your best pals is a night well spent for a homebody like you.

Mostly b’s: Wild Night Out
You are young, wild, and adventurous and so are your night-outs! You love to turn strangers into friends, and you have a damn good time doing it.

Mostly c’s: Big Fat Family Fiesta
You know how to turn family time into a real party. There’s great food, lots of laughter, and even more love!

Mostly d’s: A Posh Gala
You have a wardrobe filled with party outfits to impress your peers and you love it (also, your photos are impeccable).