Two days on I am still exhausted from our Woodland Fairy themed birthday party that we organised for Angelina’s 6th birthday!
It was weeks in the planning and for days I’d been preparing, shopping. I had battles with our council whether and in what form we’re allowed to host a party. It was an utterly hectic day as we rushed you get last minute preparations of food and props ready.
After carting our food, drink, shelter and props down to our chosen clearing (which was a good 15 minute walk from the car park), I met our guests back at the top of the park.
Gathering all the children around I informed them that we are going to a special forest where fairies live. On the way down we need to look out for signs- holes in trees and bird song… which also meant we needed to be a bit quiet to hear the birds and not scare away the fairies.
In preparation for our “big journey” the children were given water bottles with their names on and parents also gave them “tattoos”(mobile numbers on the arms).
Arriving to our magical fairy kingdom we discovered a magical den with Magical Fairy Dew and Magical Pixie …. All the children got a top up of their choice of magical potion into their pixie water and once they drank from it they transformed into fairies … they got their fairy wings fitted.
Our clearing had a path going around it and I told my troop of fairies that beyond that are the goblins, so we need to stay together… with this I had, unbeknown to me, planted a seed.
We embarked on some den building. Futile attempt! … but the children were enjoying carrying huge branches, almost whole tree trunks.
My seeds of fairytale planted earlier began to grow and grow…. those goblins were playing on the imagination of these little fairies… the goblins were preparing to attack and our army of fairies went to fight them off and protect our borders. They climbed a tree to see better, found sticks to fight with and discussed strategy.
Before the fight began I thought we’d need some energy so persuaded the fairy army to taste our woodland treats. We had silly snails (because what snail wears a hat?!), Toadstools, Dung beetle balls (that was Dadonthebrink’s idea), Sweet little hedgehogs and Butterfly Bread, Gnomes’ walking sticks with quick sand to dip into.
Can you guess what they actually were?
The fairies has scattered before we could even move on to cake.
My jelly Fairy Berry Castle was a big flop- the complicated shape of the mould and the shake of the journey down into the woods meant the fruit jelly came out as a heap with no shape at all. This flop however meant I could summon the troops back to base as the goblins had attacked and destroyed the Fairy Berry Castle.
Getting them back was a challenge as they were so engrossed with play. A friend helping out was playing the Goblin king and chasing them back within our borders. However when they actually made it back, there were oohs and ahhs for the fab log cake we made with my partner in crime, Jennie, and the sparkly vegan cake.
Note: Candles don’t light easily even in gentle breeze, but preserve and success!
A quick happy birthday song, cakes scoffed very quickly so they could get back to playing.
I’d got the children some little charms and leather thong to make necklaces or brackets, but instead we asked them to visit the fairy den one by one where fairy Jennie gave them a protective charm for their bottles with the magic potion. We had a variety of little fairy and woodland themed charms. It was surprising what the children chose, not at all what we expected. Some who went in pairs chose the same ones, but one would often go back later and change it. Interesting!
Before we knew it parents started arriving. I told one last story about a Giant and the tears of stone he had left in this woods.
It was time to pack up, take all evidence we’d been there and go home. One successful party over!
My Success Formula:
20 kids + 6 adults (and an additional 4-5 parents who hovered) + fantastic woodland clearing + fairy wings + fairy juice and woodland feast + lots and lots of make believe = Exhausted happy children
Have you thought of the magic your local woods could offer you and your kids?
…birthday or not.
Enjoy your time exploring your local woods!