There is something so magical about warm summer days and nights.  Every summer we have many requests from moms asking if they can do a Beading Buds birthday party outside and we always say absolutely and then give them some advice on making their outdoor jewelry making even more magical.

One of the benefits of having an outdoor party is that you can use the beauty of nature as part of your party decor.  Hang tissue paper flowers, lanterns and balloons from trees.  Use outdoor plants to add ambiance.   Lay out blankets on the ground so the children have an area to work at.  Preferably lay out the blankets under trees so the children have some shade, if they do not have shade, you can rent a large tent which will provide shade and add to the party decor.

An outdoor party is the perfect opportunity for  facepainting.  Set up a facepainting station in the corner and you can paint the children's faces one at a time as they are making their beaded project.  You can also set up a candy kabob making station.  This is a fun party activity that goes well with the theme of beading, and can be an additional loot bag.

The best type of food to serve at these parties is summer bbq food, pink lemonade and cupcakes .

Here are some photos from an outdoor Beading Buds birthday party that we recently did.  This mother combined her two daughter's birthday parties in one.  Half of the girls aged 5,6, and 7 made necklaces, the other half, aged 9, 10 and 11 made memory wire bracelets.  It was a fun and crafty way to spend a beautiful summer afternoon.

A mom recently contacted us asking if we could do an "under the sea mermaid" birthday party for her 6 year old daughter.  We loved the idea and instantly put together a special party package to go with her amazing theme.  When my 4 year old daughter saw the sample we made, she decided that she wanted to do this for her birthday as well.
 
Here are some tips and tricks to have the perfect mermaid party.

Party Decor:

A great colour scheme for a mermaid party is purple and aquamarine.  Decorate all the tables with aquamarine table clothes and add some tissue paper streamers to add some movement.

Hang blue and white tissue paper flowers and balloons from the ceiling.  Make diy lantern jelly fish to help it look truly under the sea.  Click here for instructions. 

Set out bowls of white gumballs to look like pearls or bowls of plastic pearl bead necklaces.  Or make your own diy gumball necklaces.  Click here for instructions.

Cake:
There are so many wonderful choices for this fun theme, but our favourite is making a treasure chest cake full of beautiful jewelry.  You can make cupcakes to set out around the cake, with shells on top.

Activity:
We have created a gorgeous glass pearl mermaid necklace making kit for your little guests to enjoy putting together at the party, this can be the party entertainment and also the loot bag click here for info. 

For many more amazing ideas, check out our pinterest page here .