Category Archives: Kid’s Party

Tips on using a Cotton Candy Machine

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A cotton candy machine sounds like a good idea for every party. It brings color, activity and excitement to your event. It’s easy to rent and comes with instructions, a piece of cake right? Well, not exactly. It’s a little more tricky than that. I’ve rented many machines for events in the past and handed over the instructions to a group of volunteers and had them figure it out. However, we rented a machine for a birthday party back in March and had to figure it out ourselves. When you’re crunched for time, it’s not so easy. We didn’t need to return the machine right away so I took the time the next day to practice a bit, and here is what I learned…

You will need:

Cotton candy machine

Floss sugar (flavored sugar)

Paper cones

Bags

Instructions

Bowl with netting and clips

Tips:

1. Follow the directions completely, don’t skip a step, it’s worth being patient.

2. It’s best outdoors.  We used the machine indoors and it set off the smoke detectors.  It doesn’t create smoke but there are small sugar particles that fly into the air and cause some detectors to go off.

3. This is a two person job.  It is not easy to be successful alone.  One person should make the candy and one person should bag the candy.

4. Don’t let the bowl get too full.  If you don’t have two people your bowl will get full (see picture below) which makes it hard to wrap the candy up.

5. Spin the stick while you are making the circular motion around the bowl, otherwise you create a blob that is hard to get into a bag.

6. Bigger is not always better.  If you are going for looks, a smaller portion is better and will stay on the stick while eating.

7. Try to keep up with the machine, if you aren’t able to go fast, you leave too much waiting to be bagged.  It becomes hard and the hard crystals (think wet cotton candy) will get into your future packages.

8. Don’t wear your Sunday best.  You will get messy and sticky (see picture below). I’m pretty sure it wasn’t because I was an amateur.  I think you will get cotton candy on your regardless.

9. Do your best to clean out the bowl for the rental company but don’t clean too much as you might damage the machine by getting something wet that isn’t suppose to be wet.  They will gladly clean the machine for you.

10. Have fun and eat LOTS of candy. :)

Machine from All Events Rental

Eden’s Birthday Party

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Miss Eden turned the big 3 and we celebrated in true ballerina style. Her parents wanted the look to be classy and completely girly for their little princess.

Vendors:
Styling: Social Graces
Cake/cupcakes: AmyCakes
Chocolate truffles: The Hot Chocolate
Straws: Shop Sweet Lulu
Candy: Mr. Bulky’s and The Candy House
Pinwheels/table cloth/gift bags: Social Graces
Photography: Meg White Photography

DIY: Fringe Banner

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Today’s DIY was made for my daughter’s new room but this banner would be perfect for a kid’s birthday party or even the backdrop for a wedding.
What you will need:
Sturdy string (I used a small rope I found at Hobby Lobby)
Scissors
fabric of choice
I used a bunch of scrap pieces I had from other events.

1) Cut the fabric into desired length.  I wanted my short but not all the same length.  For a backdrop, you can make them even longer to touch the floor.

2) Figure out the order you want them in and start tying knots.   You can tie your knots in a number of ways, I wanted some of the top fabric to show.

3) Hang you banner wherever you’d like.  Keep in mind, the banner may look light, however, depending on hope much fabric you used, it will get super heavy.

Images by Becca Murdaugh

Birthday: Robot Party

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We hope everyone had a great New Years! Welcome to 2012! Today is a super cute Robot Birthday party. It was for my sweet nephew’s 5th birthday. My sister did a great job picking out a theme all the kids loved.

Images by Becca Murdaugh
Robot cut outs: Hostess with the Mostess
Robot ornaments: Oriental Trading
Robot cookies: Sweet Creations by Jen

Cheers! Bikini Killer Cookies

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I found an amazing recipe for you!  So delicious, and yet it has to be so bad for you.  That’s why you make all your friends eat them, right?  Just kidding.  However, I really don’t advise making these bad boys to sit around your house.  I will be making these cookies for my next event for sure.  Thanks, Bakers Royale for these to-die-for cookies!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Snickers Cookies

Adapted from Cook’s Illustrated |Makes 24-30 3inch cookies

Preparation: Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line bake sheet with parchment paper.

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 16 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½  cup sliced Snickers, (approximately 4 king size candy bars or one bag of mini size Snickers)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Place flour and baking soda together in a bowl and whisk to combine; set aside.
  2. Place 10 tablespoons butter in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking and using the handle of pan to swirl the butter around in the skillet. Swirl butter constantly until it becomes a dark golden brown in color and gives off a nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and transfer browned butter to large heatproof bowl. Stir remaining 6 tablespoons of butter into hot butter until completely melted.
  3. Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to brown butter mixture and whisk until fully incorporated. Add eggs and whisk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Rest mixture for 3 minutes, then whisk for another 30 seconds. Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny. Using sturdy rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips giving dough final stir to ensure no flour pockets remain.
  4. Using a #24 cookie scoop (basically a small ice cream scoop) or using a spoon scoop out approximately two heaping tablespoons of dough and flatten it into a round disc and place a Snickers slice on top. Fold edges over Snickers to seal it in. (*Optional: For added richness press in chopped Snickers on top). Place cookies 2 inches apart on parchment lined baking sheets.
  5. Bake cookies 1 sheet at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, about 10 to 14 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack to cool cookies.

Images by Bakers Royale

A few tips fromBakers Royale

  • Resist the urge to just chop and mix your Snickers into the cookie. I did this on the first test run and discovered that any Snickers bits on the edges will flatten itself onto the cookies sheet. Stick to the recipe and stuff the cookies and for added richness place a few chopped pieces on top.
  • The brown butter is the key to this recipe. It lends a toffee like flavor to the cookie so don’t shortcut it.

DIY: Marshmallow Party Favors

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One of my favorite fall treats is a VERY roasted marshmallow.  I love an autumn campfire and cooking out with friends and family.  I think these party favors, I found on Austin Wedding Blog, would be a great addition to a relaxed fall wedding or even a kids birthday party.

So easy and so yummy!

Marshmallow Fun Pops
Serves 12

Giant Roaster Marshmallows (12 ounce bag)
4 ounces of Vanilla Candy Coating (2 squares of Almond Bark)
4 ounces of Chocolate Candy Coating (2 squares of Almond Bark)
12 Lollipop Sticks
2 long sheets of Wax Paper

Toppings:
2 tablespoons assorted Non Pareil Candies
2 tablespoons assorted Dark Rainbow Candies
2 tablespoons White Sparkling Sugar Candies
2 tablespoons Pink Sparkling Sugar Candies
2 tablespoons Granola or Graham Cracker Crumbs
2 tablespoons Shredded Coconut

DIRECTIONS:

Insert a lollipop stick into each of the marshmallows stopping about 1/8 inch under the top of the marshmallow.

Put each of the topping ingredients into a separate small bowl or plate.

Lay out the sheets of wax paper on a large platter or two large plates.

In separate bowls, melt the candy coating in a microwave on 30 second bursts making sure to stir between each 30 seconds.

Roll the sides of a marshmallow in either the vanilla or chocolate candy coating.  Have a small spoon handy to smooth out the coating on the marshmallow if it’s too thick in a particular area.

Then dip the top side of the marshmallow in the candy coating.

If you would like a multi-colored coating, use a spoon to drizzle the opposite color coating over the fully coated marshmallow (if you have multi-color coated marshmallows you may want to put the candy topping on just the top of the marshmallow so the multi-colored drizzles show up nicely on the sides).

Dip the sides and top of the coated marshmallow into any one or more of the toppings.

Then lay the candy coated marshmallow top side down on to the wax paper and let cool.

Images and recipe found here

Carter’s First Birthday

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Today, we are excited to share with you a party produced by our friend Jenny. Her little boy, Carter, recently turned one and Jenny did such a cute job with the day’s details.

From Jenny: When I started planning Carter’s 1st birthday party, I struggled to find a theme that would genuinely connect to him since – as a baby – there’s not a lot that they’re “in to” at that age. Then one day it hit me: Carter loved a little orange knit fox we’d given him for Christmas. He loved him so much that every time he slept he would cuddle up next to it and smile every time he saw it. So, that’s what inspired me to do the fox theme. For decor I really tried to incorporate bright colors and whimsical decorations. Some decorations I made, some I ordered from Etsy and some I picked up at Hobby Lobby. It’s no secret to anyone who knows me, I love pictures and always have a camera. I’ve taken thousands of pictures of Carter, so I wanted to display them at his party. My dad (Carter’s grandpop) helped me construct the photo frame backdrop to the dessert table. I ended up printing 3x too many pictures to fit on the frame!!! If I had to choose a favorite moment, it would be giving Carter the birthday cake and watching him figure out how to dive in! So precious.Images by Meg White Photography.

Thanks so much for sharing, Jenny!

DIY: Party Pinata

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This DIY is so exciting. It’s perfect for a kid’s birthday party but best of all, it is cost efficient and that is what makes me smile. You can do this DIY (Filling included) for less then 10 dollars. If you are up for a little craft-time, try this!

Image found here

Images found here

Directions below are for the top pinata found here

Inflate a 24-inch- wide balloon; set it atop a large bucket so that the balloon’s narrow end rests just inside the bucket.

Cut newspaper into 3″L x 1″W strips (you’ll need about 200 strips total). In a bowl, mix equal parts school glue and water. Working one strip at a time, dip paper into the mixture and immediately place on the balloon. Once the strips are dry to the touch (about an hour), turn the balloon upside down and cover its narrow end—stopping a few inches from the top to leave a four-inch-wide opening (where you’ll later insert candy). Allow to dry completely, about six hours. Repeat with two more layers on both ends, allowing six hours of drying time between each layer.

Use a pin to pop the balloon, then tip the hive over to empty. Set the hive back in the bucket and fill with candy.

Create a hanger for the hive by making two small holes at the narrow end with an X-Acto knife, on opposite sides near the opening. Cut a four- foot-long piece of twine; thread one end through both holes and tie off near the top of the hive, leaving enough twine for hanging.

Close the open end using six-inch-long strips of papier-mâché, applying a total of three layers and allowing for drying time between each.

Cut colored crepe paper streamers into three-inch-long strips. Glide a glue stick along each strip; then, starting at the bottom of the pinata, affix in a horizontal pattern until the whole thing is covered.

For directions to make the 2nd pinata click here.

Birthday: Zeda’s Second

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Zeda turned two and we celebrated with her favorite book. For a year now, she has been especially fond of her Itsy Bitsy Spider book. Since she is still too young to have much of an opinion about her party theme we grabbed onto something she loved. The day was perfect. It was raining all morning until 30 minutes before the party. Then, the sun came out and we fired up the grill. We cooked out, had a bunch of sweets, read Itsy Bitsy Spider, swam in the kidy pools and of course opened presents.  I can’t wait until her next birthday!

Photographer: Meg White
Dessert recipes: Sweet Little Details
Cake: Belinda Wingo
Umbrellas – Target
Pillows/spider stickers/sunshine windmill – Hobby Lobby
Straws: Modern Lola
Fabric banner/fabirc flowers/Webbed chandlers/spider tags: Social Graces
Invitations: Download and Print

Sweet Little Details: Homemade Fruit Roll Ups

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We just celebrated my little girl’s second birthday, so children party ideas are still on my mind. Therefore, I would LOVE to show you a simple, but perfect snack for any kid’s party from our lovely friend at Sweet Little Details.  These treats are very natural and yummy for your kiddos!

Image by Jen Campbell

Mango-Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups

2 cups strawberries, diced

1 large mango, diced

2 tablespoons water

Agave Nectar

1 Teaspoon Sugar in the Raw

Preheat oven to 150 degrees F one hour before dehydrating the fruit roll-ups.

If your oven does not allow you to bake at 150 degrees F, you can use your warm setting.

In a sauce pan over medium heat, add water and diced fruit. Cook until the fruit breaks down so that it is soft and mushy. Allow the fruit mixture to thicken (the syrup should coat the back of the spoon and shouldn’t be runny or thin), almost like the consistency of a chunky applesauce. Adjust sweetness with agave nectar and raw sugar.  I used about 1 tablespoons of agave nectar and a half of a tablespoon of raw sugar.

Carefully pour the fruit mixture into a food processor or blender, and puree the liquid until it is smooth in consistency.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease with non-flavored oil, such as corn or vegetable oil. Pour fruit mixture onto baking sheet and spread evenly across the baking sheet, about 1/4-inch thick. Spreading the fruit evenly is extremely important, in order to insure that dehydration is even.

Place baking sheet into oven and dehydrate for about 6 to 8 hours. The amount of dehydrating time varies depending on the thickness and the amount of sugar in the fruit mixture, so check every two hours until done. You don’t want crispy fruit roll-ups. When the fruit is dry and no longer sticky to touch, remove baking sheet from oven, and allow to cool at room temperature. If you find that the edges are a little crispy, just rehydrate by dabbing the edges with a wet paper towel.

When cool to handle, carefully peel the sheet of dehydrated fruit and lay it on a cutting board, and cut with a knife or pizza slicer into strips. Cut wax paper or parchment paper just a little larger than the strips, and roll the strips of fruit into fruit roll-ups. Store in the pantry in an airtight container for up to two weeks.