Whether you’re on a tight budget or just want to cut costs in some areas, these low budget tips will help you save money when it comes to your kids next birthday party.

When you’re little, waiting a whole year til your next birthday seems like FOREVER! But now it seems half birthday celebrations are starting to pop up. Sometimes for practical reasons and sometimes just because. Find out more.

So what is the guide when it comes to kids opening their birthday presents? Opening them straight away or opening them later? While most children like to rip into their presents as soon as they can, some people like to collect the presents in a central location to be opened later in the party or after everyone has gone home. Is there a right or wrong way?

If your kids were born around Christmas time how do you ensure that their birthday party in December or early January isn’t overshadowed by the Christmas holidays? Here are 4 ideas on celebrating your kids Christmas birthday during the festive season.

Not sure what size birthday cake you should order or buy for your kids birthday party? Check out our simple cake size guide to help determine what size cake you will need. The cake chart will show you at a glance how many portions/slices/pieces you will get out of a round and square cake to ensure there’s no wastage.

A birthday party is just not a birthday party without a cake, candles and the singing of Happy Birthday. However birthday cakes can sometimes cause parents a lot stress and unnecessary worry. Check out these ideas to help ease the pressure when it comes to kids birthday cakes.

Looking for theme ideas for your little one’s next birthday party? Not sure where to start? Have a look at our list of themes and complete your ideas with matching party supplies, invitations, birthday cake and perhaps even decorate your party venue in the same theme too.

Treasure hunts (or scavenger hunts) are lots of fun for kids of all ages! Perfect to play at birthday parties or when they have friends over for a play date. Looking for hidden treasure will get them thinking and it’s something that can be played indoors or outside. Check out our different treasure hunt ideas and keep the kids entertained.

Not sure what to buy your kids for their birthday or for a friend's birthday party they're going along to? Our age-specific gift guide will give you lots of birthday present ideas on toys and activities suitable for babies, toddlers and pre-school kids.

We often take hundreds of photos during our baby’s first year, but don’t stop there! Remember to capture those equally precious moments as your baby turns into a toddler. Toddlers have lots of milestones too that you'll want to record and look back on when they're older.

Celebrating Children’s Day is something we can all do with our children at home, but why not celebrate this year’s Children’s Day with friends, family and other members of your community too. Here are 14 fun ideas for you to try.

It’s common etiquette to put a RSVP date on your child’s birthday party invitations, and most parents will come back to you confirming if their little one is able to make it (or not) before the deadline date. But how do you cope with parents who do not respond in time, or don’t even respond at all? Check out these tips on dealing with latecomers and non-responders.

Check out these fun party ideas for toddlers and preschoolders you can try at home. Cheap and easy things they'll enjoy doing at their next birthday party.

Here are some great kids party bag ideas and what to put inside. Party bags are a great way for your little one to say thank you for coming to their party and the guests will love receiving little treats too.

These kids party decorating tips will add the WOW factor to your kids next birthday party and set the scene for their special day. From the colour of your party decorations and party supplies to your party budget, table settings, paper lanterns, balloons and more.

Check out these tips on how to keep your kids' teeth healthy. From dental care to brushes, brushing and the effects of food, drink and medication.

Deciding what to wear in your family photos can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. However if needn't be. Just take some time beforehand to think about the outfits the whole family is going to wear. A mismatch of clothes, shoes and accessories may make or break your photos and date them instantly. Use these tips to help you pick out the perfect wardrobe for everyone.

Your baby’s first Christmas is such a special time, so here are some ideas on ways you can celebrate and make it memorable for years to come.

Find out how to make the most of grandparent childcare when you need some extra help and how to keep that relationship running smoothly. It’s a great way for grandparents and grandkids to spend time together, especially if you put a few guidelines in place.

Don't miss out on those special birthday party photos. As you’re busy rushing around it’s easy to get to the end of the party and realise that you haven’t taken any photos of the special event. Why not enlist the help of family and friends to be your ‘party paparazzi’ and ensure you have photos that will preserve the memories for years to come.

Kids Christmas stockings or Santa sacks are a simple tradition that date back centuries and are still very popular today, but where do you start when it comes to filling them? Check out these 8 useful tips.

All performers and kids shows are different, but here are a few tips on hiring a birthday party entertainer to help ensure your little guests have fun.

Need inspiration for your kids next birthday party? There are so many things to think about, but here's a quick guide to get you started.

These days more and more of us are looking at ways to help reduce waste in our lives and this applies when it comes to kids parties too. Organising a waste-free or sustainable kids party may seem a little daunting, but there are so many ways to reuse and recycle what you already have and ditch the plastic where you can.

Throwing a party for your toddler or preschooler? Planning and preparation are key. Once you’ve organised the date of the party, the venue, theme and invitations, it’s time to start thinking about the party day itself. Here are 9 tips on party day planning to help ensure your little one’s party is as stress-free as possible and goes off without a hitch.

Kids parties can be stressful enough without any mishaps to spoil the special day. So here are some tips on how to avoid the most common kids party disasters so you don’t end up hosting the worst party ever!

AUCKLAND: The Albany Tennis Park in Auckland is the No. 1 tennis facility in New Zealand. Kids can come along to learn and develop tennis skills with us from a young age in our Court Kidz classes. These classes are designed especially for toddlers and preschoolers and introduce children to tennis through games and fun activities.

Baby Eden is an online baby and toddler boutique. Home to all things beautiful for your baby and toddler. From children’s toys and babies' accessories, to well-known brands and quality garments from around the world that have been made with your precious little ones in mind.

At Barefoot Kids, we open children’s hearts, minds and worlds. Our products inspire children to be kind, caring, resilient, compassionate, open-minded individuals who can think creatively, critically, and globally. Give the gift that lasts a lifetime when you sign up to our Barefoot Kids Box subscription. It’s a fantastic way to build a home library that grows with your children.

Teach your kids some basic cooking and baking skills, and with a little patience, you could soon have your very own budding Master Chef in the family! Kids love to help out in the kitchen and being able to cook is a great skill for anyone to have.

Your kids may beg and beg for a family pet for Christmas, their birthday or just because, but it is a major commitment which needs some thought beforehand, particularly around the responsibility, suitability and cost of owning one. Here are some things to think about before buying a pet.

Take your kids artwork to the next level with bubble wrap roller painting! Bubble wrap roller painting is easy to do at home and a great way for young kids to practice colour recognition too.

BAY OF PLENTY: Looking for children’s party entertainment in Tauranga and throughout the Bay of Plenty? Nana Gaye will come to your place and entertain your children, creating a special birthday party for them to remember. She’ll keep them entertained with fun party games, dancing, magic, stories and surprises! Her party entertainment is tailored to suit the ages of the children, and if you have a party theme, she can create activities around that too.

Have you ever bought a gift for your baby, toddler or preschooler and realised that it was not suited to their age? Are you not sure what to buy for them this Christmas or do you want to buy something that is not only fun, but is also educational? Here are some Christmas gift ideas that will suit your child’s age, hold their interest and encourage learning through play.

NORTH SHORE, AUCKLAND: Where the love for the Arts starts! At Dance Space, we teach the love for dance at a young age. Pre-School dance at Dance Space is a passion for our teachers and it would be a delight to teach your little one! Our Specialized Toddler and Pre-School Dance Curriculum is designed to be educational, age appropriate, fun, exciting and entertaining.

Planning a dinosaur party for your toddler or preschooler? Try these quick and easy tips and create a fun dinosaur themed party at home for young kids. Great party ideas from our friends at Pixie Party Supplies.

So when should kids first visit the dentist? Sooner than you may think! Find out at what age you should take your kids to the dentist, choosing a dentist and things you can expect from their first visit.

It may be re-assuring for those with new babies to hear that when it comes to your baby’s first Christmas, expensive gifts are not necessary! Many parents feel the pressure to buy the latest and most costly toys, but with everyone managing tighter budgets these days, parents are looking for cheaper alternatives.

AUCKLAND: Looking for something different to do! GravityNZ offers two trampoline parks based in prime Auckland locations, Manukau and Mt Wellington, covered in wall to wall tramps for the whole family to enjoy. With dodgeball, basketball hoops, foam pits, an Olympic trampoline and mornings dedicated to tots and toddlers it has everything the family could want. So turn the TV off and get bouncing!

Are you new to modern cloth nappies or thinking of using them on your baby, but not sure where to start or how many to buy?Use this helpful guide to modern cloth nappies which looks at how many reusable pocket nappies you’ll need, the cost of disposable nappies compared to cloth nappies and when to start using cloth nappies.

Small kids never sit still! In between mealtimes fuel them up with healthy snacks to give them extra energy. Introducing healthy snacks can sometimes be difficult, but persevere. Gradually try new things to see what works.

We take a look at children’s play choices and what we can do as parents and caregivers to help change gender stereotypes and encourage learning without bias.

Kid friendly cafes and restaurant suggestions and reviews from parents around NZ that'll make eating out that little bit easier with your own kids. We'd love to hear about your kids friendly cafe & restaurant suggestions too.

AUCKLAND: Kids Party Magic is your go-to for the best kids party entertainers in town. We’ll keep your kids entertained with an amazing comedy magic show, colourful balloon animals, and plenty of laughs.

Who said kids homemade paint brushes had to be boring! There are so many things you can use to make your own kids paint brushes with things you already have at home, or from your local $2 shop or craft store. Homemade paint brushes using clothes pegs and other materials allow kids to experiment and the opportunity to discover different textures and fun designs.

All kids love playing party games! So here are some tips and suggestions on fun-packed indoor and outdoor games which are sure to be a big hit.

Looking for kids party food ideas? Check out these recipes that are cheap, quick and easy to make. From pizza shapes and sandwiches to fruit skewers, fairy bread, chocolate crackles, racing cars, jelly faces, lucky dips and strawberry mice. They’re sure to go down a treat!

Kids party food needn’t cost the earth or take too long to make. So here are some tips on what you can do and what you can make with a little creativity and a limited budget. From the number of birthday party guests you invite to ensuring you have just enough food, plus ideas on budget conscious party food you can buy or make at home.

Need some help when it comes to planning your kids birthday parties? Make your child’s next birthday party as stress-free as possible with our easy step-by-step Party Planning Checklist.

There's lots to think about when it comes to organising and planning a party for your toddler or preschooler, and at times it can be quite stressful. So here is a quick guide to help plan your next party in 6 easy steps.

Kids traditional birthday party games are still so much fun! Everything from Pass the Parcel to Musical Chairs, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Stuck in the Mud and everything in between. Check out our list of fun party games and how to play them. They’ll keep the kids amused for hours!

Get creative with these yummy and easy to make hand painted cookies or biscuits. Your kids will love decorating them and coming up with their own designs - if they don't all get eaten first!

Who remembers making mud pies? Making mud pies is sadly not as common as it used to be, but here’s a very easy mud pie recipe you can try at home with the kids to help bring back their revival. Making mud pies is a great learning activity too and perfect for messy playtime in the garden.

Make your own paper stickers with the kids with these easy instructions. Homemade paper stickers are a cheap and fun craft activity that toddlers and preschoolers will love doing.

Kids will love this sparkly play dough recipe! Play dough is always a hit with young children, so why not add some glitter for more fun and a little extra sparkle! Have a go at making this no-bake play dough recipe. It’s easy to model into all sorts of shapes and creations and you can even make it a couple of days in advance if you’re pushed for time.

Why not celebrate your little one's special day with a mermaid birthday party! Check out these ideas on mermaid party food and decorations, costumes and games you can play. You can also use some of these ideas for an under the sea party, pirate party and beach party.

CHRISTCHURCH: At Messy Mates we love messy play! We run fun-filled messy play classes in Christchurch for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Mixed-age classes which give your little ones the freedom to move around and explore a variety of carefully planned, mess filled activities at their own pace. All the messy play they could want, but with none of the clean up for you!

Hosting a kids bat party is lots of fun! From preschoolers’ parties to Halloween gatherings, this monochrome bat party idea is sure to delight your kids and is a breeze to whip together. Check out these tips on how to set the scene, fun party food ideas you can use and games you can play to keep your little bats busy.

Painted feet art makes a great personal gift for kids to give to family and friends, especially on Valentine's Day. You could try framing their artwork too to make it extra special. Have a go at making your own with these easy instructions.

Parnell Baby Boutique is a boutique baby and kids store offering a unique blend of designer baby and kids brands sourced locally and from around the world. Founded in 2013, Parnell Baby Boutique is home to a large collection of baby and kids clothes, gifts, toys, nursery essentials and more for babies and children through to 8 years.

Not sure where to start when it comes to serving party food for toddlers and preschoolers? Here are a few easy tips you can use next time your organising their birthday party.

At Pixie Party Boutique we love helping you create the perfect kids party with our carefully curated collection of stylish products and kids party supplies from around the world. Get ideas, be inspired and create special memories for your kids next party with a dash of colour and a sprinkling of fun!

Toddlers and preschoolers are always in so much of a hurry! So when it comes to snacks, you want things that are easy to prepare and ready to eat before they get restless. Food that’s convenient yet still nutritious and fun. Check out these quick and easy ideas.

The whole family will love this cake from Popalicious! Delicious, easy to make & sure to impress!

WELLINGTON: Sams Art House runs fun preschool art classes designed especially with little budding artists in mind. Our Ngaio Studio is an amazing colourful, creative space where young kids can come along during the day, enjoy our preschool art classes and create to their hearts content. We also run fabulous Arty Birthday Parties for pre-schoolers.

Kids baby teeth may only be around for a short time, but they’re more important than you might think. The health of your kids baby teeth is essential for their developing gums and for their permanent teeth which are growing underneath. Starting your kids off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.

Learning to ride a bike is quite a milestone in a child’s life. When you start to teach them is up to you, with some kids starting to learn as early as 3 years old. Generally though it’s usually around their 4th or 5th birthday or sometimes even later. Follow these easy steps to help them on their way.

The Baby’s Room is New Zealand’s online baby gift boutique. The Baby’s Room sells high quality baby and toddler products and gifts at an affordable price. The Baby’s Room has the best range of International and New Zealand made clothing, sleepwear, skincare, shoes, toys and books. Need a gift? Let us create, gift wrap and send it for you!

The Kiss Co. has created timeless children’s books and award-winning toys for toddlers and preschoolers (and the adults who love them). The Kiss Co's journey started after a single experience of one of life’s most precious moments and led to a journey in understanding the importance of affection, and making the most of the moment.

How safe is it for babies and toddlers to eat hummus? It may be a healthy snack, but many of the ingredients in hummus have the potential to cause an allergic reaction or have an effect on your baby or toddler's digestive system. Find out more about the possible risks of eating hummus for babies and toddlers.

Looking to hire a party venue for your toddler’s birthday? Here are some useful tips and things to consider before choosing a venue for their special day.

With these few simple tips you can learn to take great photos of your children as they start to grow. From choosing the right time to finding the right place. No special equipment required!

Follow our toddler party tips and keep things as simple and as stress-free as possible for your child's next party. Toddlers are at an age where they are easily impressed, so don’t feel pressured to throw the biggest birthday party of all time.

You were really excited when your little one said their first word, but now what? When will they start to learn more words and say their first sentence? We take a look at typical first sentences and encouraging language development.

As parents we sometimes face the challenge of fussy eating, where our toddler or preschooler may love a particular food one day and then flat refuse it the next - for no apparent reason! By understanding some of the reasons behind their fussy eating, it might make life a little easier for all of you. Here are 10 things you need to know about fussy eating in toddlers and preschoolers.

Who doesn’t love cupcakes! A quick and easy basic cupcake recipe that’s perfect for birthday parties, afternoon tea or just because. The recipe can be used to make a cake or pour the mixture into muffin tins to make cupcakes. Easy enough for the kids to help out too!

There’s been lots of discussion about what babies can see from a young age and it’s something that has fascinated scientists for decades. We know that their eyes aren't fully developed when they’re born, but how long is it before their eye muscles start to develop and they can focus and see colour?

Naming ceremonies are starting to come into their own as an alternative to christenings. A way to mark your baby’s arrival without a religious ceremony. Find out if a naming ceremony is right for you and your baby.

Eggs are an important nutritious part of a baby’s diet. Yet eggs are one of the most common food allergens amongst young children. Find out when it’s good to start introducing your baby to eggs.