your boring daughter, so surely the last thing you’d want is for her to come and get ignored.”DILEMMA: The party entertainer has failed to turn up. Now what?SOLUTION: Imagine the scenario: thirty excited children are crowded into your house

Materials2 cups of flour3 cups of water 1 round balloonNewspaperPaint, crayons or markersColoured crepe paperString METHOD 1. First, start with the balloon. This will form the body of your pinata, so using a round balloon is best. Inflate

: From £375Contact: Tel: 020 7431 1888; www.mysticalfairies.co.uk  Address: 12 Flask Walk, Hampstead NW3 1HE; nearest tube station, HampsteadPACIFIC JEWELSLittle girls can create their own keepsakes with a charm bracelet-making party. An entertainer

party bag fillers at j£1.39 each.* For a simple free activity visit www.papercropcircles.com/masks and print off an alien masks for your guests to colour in.* For a fun alternative to table confetti, try the foam space beads from www.fun2make

1. Create a cake centrepiece  The birthday cake is central to the big day, and a thick layer of brightly coloured butter icing with a generous sprinkling of sweets is all you need to give your child a cake to remember (the icing is all they

. If you can, use stickers that tie in with the theme of your party.2. Have a cunning game plan Keep party games simple and avoid long instructions. A simple treasure hunt searching for chocolate coins or small plastic animals will be a hit. Don’t be too

’t take refuge/stand on the best sofa, your father’s newspaper if he hasn’t read it yet, or your brother or sister’s teddy bear/iPod/supper.Towel raceThis is a good one for a party but it is best on the beach. For 2 or more players.What’s the game? Imagine

1. Choose familiar and fun favourites A party based on simple, familiar motifs such as jungle or farm animals, combined with easy activities, games and singing, is ideal for the under-threes. Decorate your space with some colourful, oversized

1. Booty for winners  Keep prizes and goodie bags simple. It’s a good idea to give away some of the decorations, such as large paper flowers. Children will love to keep them as a souvenir of the fun they had and parents can put them up

THEY ARE ONE of Britain’s great summer traditions. The Queen herself leads the way with her royal garden parties replete with cucumber sandwiches (sans crusts, of course) and military brass band.    For your own child-friendly al fresco affair, you