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Hoopla is an excellent game for kids of all ages to play. Perfect for parties or whenever they want to have fun. We’ve designed a colourful hoopla game for them to create, easily made from paper card and paper straws. We also reveal our favourite classic party games, which we know you’ll love too. Make the Hoopla Game Who can get the highest score? This is an amusing traditional game for the kids to make and play. Click here to download the template. You will need: A printer, paper and card, glue, scissors, sticky tape, 5 paper straws (cut to a length of 5.5 inches/14 cm. We’ve got a great range of glittery and striped straws, see here. ) and pencil and putty (or any tool for making holes in the card). How to Make: Step 1: Print out the template for the base and the hoops, and glue them onto the card. Step 2: To attach the straws, pierce holes into the base where the X’s are marked by placing a piece of putty underneath and pushing through a pencil. Make sure the holes are big enough for the paper straws.Step 3: Push the straws through the holes by approximately half an inch. Cut three slits into the bottom of each straw and fan out the slits. Tape them down flat to the underside of the base piece so that the straw stands upright. Repeat this until you have stuck down all 5 straws. To make the straws extra secure, you could glue an extra piece of card to the underside of the base.Step 4: Cut out the hoops and now you’re ready to play! Each straw is worth a different number of points. Each player throws their 4 hoops and writes down their score. Whoever scores the most points after all the players have had their turn, wins!  The 3 Most Fun Party Games Ever! Our hoopla game will be a highlight of your party. Here are some other traditional games we love too – which can all have a different twist if you want to match your party theme. 1. Pin the Tail on the Donkey We’re sure you know this classic game, where blindfolded children stick a paper tail on a picture of a tail-less donkey, and the winner is the child who gets it as close to the point where the tail should be. But, have you considered tweaking this game to match your party theme? For example, ‘pin the jewel on the tiara’ for a princess party or ‘pin the patch on the pirate’ for a pirate party. Let your imagination flow! 2. Memory Game A great game to play when the kids need a bit of quiet time, or at the end of the party to get calm before they head home (parents will thank you for this!). All you need is a tray filled with memorable objects, along with a pen and paper for each child. You can make the objects match your party theme. For example, if you’re having a mermaid party, then all the objects can be underwater themed like seaweed (green tissue paper), fish candies, fish scales (sequins), a seashell and plastic whales/dolphins and turtles. Place the tray with objects in the centre of the table and set a timer for one minute to let the kids gaze at it and memorise everything. When the minute is up, remove the tray and everyone has to write down as many objects as they can remember. The child who remembers the most is the winner. 3. Musical statues and bumps Get the kids to burn off their party excitement with lots of musical games. For this, you’ll need a funky playlist, check out our Meri Meri Summer of Fun Playlist on Spotify. For musical statues, put the music on and get the kids to show off their most impressive dance moves. They then need to keep statue-still when the music stops and they’re out if they wobble. Keep playing until one person, the winner, is left. And have you tried musical bumps? Instead of standing still the players have to sit down quickly when the music stops. The last person to sit down is out. You could make this even more relevant to your party theme by getting the children to sit in special areas. For example, if you’re having a space party divide the room into the ‘Moon’, Neptune’ and ‘Mars’ zones. Tell the children to sit in a specific zone when the music stops, varying the zone each time. This will cause lots of running about which will wear the little darlings out! And have you tried musical bumps? Instead of standing still the players have to sit down quickly when the music stops. The last person to sit down is out. You could make this even more relevant to your party theme by getting the children to sit in special areas. For example, if you’re having a space party divide the room into the ‘Moon’, Neptune’ and ‘Mars’ zones. Tell the children to sit in a specific zone when the music stops, varying the zone each time. This will cause lots of running about which will wear the little darlings out!Make your birthday parties even more special with fabulous tableware and decorations. We’ve got many fantastic ranges with popular themes like unicorns, space, princesses, mermaids, pirates and knights. Or you can never go wrong with a Happy Birthday themed party! Check out our range, which includes colourful and pastel choices.

We’ve got the ultimate stylish party ideas for all ages. From roarsome dinosaur themes to elegant French tea parties – there's something for every age group. 

Discover the 10 best tween and teen birthday party ideas that your kids will adore, from spa pamper sessions to movie nights and retro parties!  

For little royals and budding princesses, throw a princess party complete with magical costumes, gorgeous garlands, and beautiful princess illustrations.     

Discover our guide to hosting the best fairy birthday party, whether it’s for kids or adults – from food ideas and costume inspiration to activities galore, we have everything you need for a successful event.

Little people love to show their friends and family they adore them – and what better way than with a hand-crafted colourful friendship bracelet? Our talented design team have created one for your kids to make and give as a gift to their favourite person or people. We also share other craft creations, to team with the bracelet, to make it even more exciting to give and receive. How to Make the Bracelet Simply click here to download the template to make your beautiful bracelet. You will need: A printer, paper and card, scissors, pencil and ball of putty (or something to make a small hole in the card), 7 strands of thread (embroidery threads work well), each approx 20 inches long. Instructions: Step 1: Print out the loom template and stick onto some card. Cut it out and make cuts along each of the small lines. Step 2: Make a hole in the middle of the loom by putting a ball of putty underneath and pushing through a pencil.Step 3: Take 7 strands of thread and knot them together at one end, leaving an inch of thread loose at the end so you have a decorative tassel. Step 4: Push the knotted end through the hole in the middle of the loom so the knot is on the underside. Step 5: Thread each of the strands through each of the slots, you should be left with one empty slot. Step 6: Hold your loom so the empty slot is at the top. Count 3 strands to the left and move this third stands into the empty slot. Step 7: Turn your loom so the new empty slot is at the top. Count 3 strands to the left again and move it to the empty slot.Step 8: Keep repeating stage 6 and 7 and you’ll see your friendship bracelet grow from under the loom. Keep the threads nice and tight in the slots as you continue making your bracelet.Step 9: Keep going until your bracelet is long enough to tie around your wrist. When you are happy with it, remove it from the loom, tie a knot in the end and cut off the loose threads, leaving an inch at the end to make another tassel. Now you can make as many as you like and give them to your friends!   3 Friendly Ways to Present Your Bracelet 1. In a card. If you can’t see your friends at the moment, then send your bracelets by post inside a special homemade card. We’ve created 3 amazing notecards for you to make – an adorable sausage dog, dreamy sailboat and a cherry ice-cream, go here for the instructions and downloads. As an extra touch, why not include a quote about the wonders of friendship?Here are our favourites: “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” - Proverbs 27:9 “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” - Eleanor Roosevelt. “There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends.” - Jane Austen. “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson. “Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.” - Woodrow Wilson. 2. Pop it into a piñata. Little piñata favours are the perfect way to present your bracelet to a friend. Put it inside and they’ll get a lovely surprise when they open it. Make your own mini piñata, go here for ideas or choose one of our lovely designs which include unicorns, llamas, skull and crossbones, flamingos, swans, robots, mermaids, crocodiles and rainbows. 3. Include it with a gift. If it’s your friend’s birthday then you may want to team your homemade friendship bracelet with another gift too. Look for presents that have a true friendship meaning, like our Secret Notebook necklace or a notebook for them to write notes to you, like our sausage dog, unicorn and cat notebooks.

Rainbows are popping up in people’s windows all over the world as signs of hope in these difficult times. Our talented Meri Meri designers have therefore created a fabulous rainbow streamer garland especially for you to make, to which you can add messages. We’ve also got lots of other fun rainbow ideas for you and your kids to enjoy. Make A Rainbow Streamer Garland Your kids will love to make this rainbow streamer garland to hang in their window. All you have to do is staple or glue colorful streamers around a curtain pole, then stick messages on top for passers-by to read - phrases like ‘Stay Safe’ and ‘Be Kind’. Click here for our message printables, simply use as templates to cut out of colored paper, foiled card or print onto plain paper and your kids can have creative fun coloring them in. Download message printables UK   6 Fun Rainbow Makes Here are 6 other rainbow makes to brighten up everyone’s day. 1. Eat a rainbow. Get your kids to wash and cut colourful fruit and veg and display in rows on a platter to create a rainbow snack for the whole family, or they can make a mini rainbow for themselves. Good choices are slices of kiwi fruit, oranges or carrots, strawberries or red pepper and purple grapes. Serve with little pots of dipping chocolate and hummus, to get both yummy savoury and sweet flavours. 2. Create a rainbow cake A cake with lots of coloured layers will look really sensational. Perfect for a birthday party, or just to surprise your little people with a very fancy treat! Here’s a great recipe to try. 3. A rainbow of balloons A very simple way to cheer your kids up, is to get them to blow up a variety of coloured balloons and place them around the house. The bobbing globes of colour will make everyone smile. You can also place them in the window, next to your streamers, for extra effect. Why not draw smiley, happy faces on them for a cheeky look? 4. Smash a rainbow piñata Piñatas are a great game for the whole family – hang them outdoors or indoors. Get your kids to make a rainbow piñata and you can fill it with lots of candies. Check this make out or you can buy our delightful Rainbow Party Piñata  5. Light up a rainbow Kids love to make, and eat, cupcakes, and they can look really spectacular if you top each with a different coloured candle. Don’t wait for a birthday to blow out a candle and make a wish, make everyday special! You’ll love our Rainbow Dipped Tapered Candles, our Rainbow candle and our Shooting star candle with a bright rainbow tail 6. Dress like a rainbow Add rainbows to clothing or hats for a fabulous look. Help your kids to sew these on with a mixture of embroidery thread. Or they can add a fabric patch, like our iron on glitter rainbow patch or rainbow and unicorn patches Or for imaginative fun they can transform with a rainbow costume, like our Rainbow Girl Dress Up

Does your kiddo love playing dress-up? Maybe they never miss an opportunity to don their crime-busting gear and play their favorite superhero, especially when it’s time for a knockout birthday party. But with birthday power, comes birthday planning responsibility! Here are some ideas to channel your very own superpowers and transform a standard shindig into a party fit for a hero. Caped Crusader Dress Up Corner What better way to test your kid's lightning quick costume changing skills, than with a dedicated dress-up space? Amidst the superhero party decorations and hanging Zap! Garlands, kit out your corner with a mix of superhero capes, outfits and face paints. Not to mention these zany Zap! Masks. Party guests will relish the chance to transform into their favorite masked conqueror... or nemesis. A Superhero Snack Station When your party guests start to tire from their world-saving actions, get them to refuel at a super-themed snack station. Any party food can be transformed into a super-power source. Load up these Zap! Plates with foods fit for a hero . From sandwiches that pack a punch and fizzing soda in these electrifying Zap! Cups, to fruit cups packed with SUPERfoods, it won’t be long before crime-fighting is back on the party agenda. Just don’t forget the cake and green jello (hello kryptonite) for a dollop of energy. They’re going to need it for some epic masked superhero games! Noble Obstacle Course Your party heroes can save the world with the addition of this action-packed obstacle course. And the best part about this superhero birthday party game? You can use just about anything for the obstacles themselves – think cardboard boxes, and pillows! You’ll witness some courageous moves, as they try challenges ranging from ball throwing and leaping over dangerous enemy barriers, before making their way through cardboard box walls with one swift KaPow! Reward your spectacular saviors with a homemade treat, courtesy of this Zap! Cupcake Kit. Victory has never tasted so sweet. Heroes Vs Villains Balloon Pop Bam! Krunch! Pop? That’s right. A great way to showcase some superhero party decorations is by blowing up a bunch of party balloons and getting the kids to draw on faces. Kind ones for the good guys and evil expressions for their arch nemesis’. The mini masked-marvels will delight in popping all of the villainous balloons as fast as they can, and making sure the heroic ones stay inflated. Whoever ends up with the most deflated bad guys win. Not only do these make awesome superhero party decorations, but they ensure some daring competition in the fight against crime. Powerful Party Favors No superhero birthday party would be complete without party favors. Give your valiant kiddos a mighty take home Zap! Party Bag stuffed full of candy and toys. Oh, and don’t forget to include a little bit of that magical birthday cake from earlier. They’ll need it for more crime-fighting capers once they get back home.

Ahoy me hearties, with a little clever preparation you can transform your house, or any venue, into a swashbuckling scene that will take the lucky birthday boy or girl’s breath away! It’s not just about buying essential party supplies such as balloons and garlands, but also getting creative with those extra special touches that make all the difference. Investigate crafts, games, foods and gifts to really rev up the pirate party fun factor! We’ve got 10 fantastic ideas for you. 1. Borrow a small boat or blow-up dinghy if you can for a real ‘WOW’ centerpiece. Little ones will adore clambering in and out, and pretending to sail the seven seas. Or, if that’s not an option, make a large ‘boat’ or several smaller boats from cardboard. This one is just brilliant. If your little one has any ocean-themed toys scatter them around the boat for extra appeal. Do take a look at our gorgeous soft-toys, including Otto and Milo Narwhal. 2. Create a treasure chest out of a wooden box and give guests maps to find the prizes. Here’s a simple one to make. Fill it with gold coins (don’t panic, chocolate ones will do!) and party favors like pirate temporary tattoos.. 3. Place blue paper on the floor to transform it into the beautiful briny sea. You can put paper plates on it and tell guests to hop from one to the other to avoid the ‘sharks’ in the water. Draw sharks on the sheets/paper, or simply let them use their imaginations. In fact, having a sea-themed room is great for fun games, like Pin The Eyepatch On The Pirate or Walk The Plank. Look here for more inspiration. 4. Every pirate needs a good telescope to look for treasure and ships to plunder, so set up a table with everything your guests need to create one. It can be as simple as supplying thin cardboard sheets to roll up and lots of sticky tape to hold them together. Or create ones that really look fabulous and are perfect to take home as a keepsake. Check out this simple step-by-step. 5. A pirate hat is an essential! For guests who haven’t come with one you can very simply rectify this. Either buy some brilliant pirate party hats or get your guests to make some (just don’t leave behind any glitter and paint as your party tidy up time will increase tenfold!). Here’s a brilliant step-by-step that will look amazing. 6. Hang on, don’t forget a pirate patch! No self-respecting pirate should be looking at the world with two eyes! Buy some eyepatches for your guests to put on or print some out beforehand and pop them on the craft table, along with some thin elastic and colored pencils, to help them create their own. This is a good template. 7. Every pirate needs a trusty sword for protection. You don’t want any of your guests to get hurt when spirits run high, so making lightweight paper swords is definitely the way to go. Once again add everything they need on to your craft table. Try this step-by-step idea that only takes five minutes. 8. Set the scene with some pirate themed music for the little sailors to listen, or dance to, whilst playing games or partying. Create a playlist, songs like What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor, Banana Boat Song, the theme from the Pirates of the Caribbean and many more…Or you can play The Ultimate Pirate Kids Party cd. 9. The party table is where you can really let the theme come to life, after all pirating is very hungry work! Transform the table with themed plates, napkins and cups, and lots of yummy cupcakes.  Check out our brilliant range.  You can get really creative with the food you serve, giving it a real ocean and pirate touch. All hands on deck for treasure map pizza! Check this out for some more yummy ideas. Don’t forget to top the pirate cake with some fabulous candles, like our sensational skull & crossbones examples. 10. Last, but not least, send the tired, but happy, little pirates home with a party bag brimming with amazing pirate-themed party favors like temporary tattoos and decorated pins to wear for days to come. Here is a selection of our favourite Pirate Party Products.