We all remember parties from our childhood – loads of sugar, additives and spoilt birthday boys and girls. These days, parents are looking for a day that entertains all the children equally and doesn’t compromise on their children’s health. We all dread our kids coming home from someone else’s party having consumed too much junk food, after which they are difficult at bedtime. Wouldn’t it be nice to send other people’s children home filled with healthy and nutritious food and having enjoyed an educative and fun filled day of sharing and understanding? Sounds impossible? With a bit of forethought and careful planning, a kids party can easily be a great day enjoyed by all equally and full of kind, sharing thoughts.
There are tonnes of games out there known as ‘co-operative’ games where everyone is a winner, or team games where kids are encouraged to work together. Instead of a clown, hire a children’s outdoor educator to come and do a talk on growing your own plants and give kids a chance to sew some seeds. Alternatively, kids can be taken on a trip to a local organic farm that facilitates children’s education. Parties where children learn knitting or sewing are also a great chance to teach them about sustainable living whilst providing a lot of fun.
It is also possible to treat children to great party food without stuffing them full of sugar and flavourings. Treats can include healthy and ethical snacks such as organic crisps, fairtrade raisins and fairtrade chocolates. Paper plates and plastic cutlery are notoriously bad for the environment but there are now lots of biodegradable options out there.
A kids’ birthday party should be enjoyed by all attendees and should not compromise your green and ethical principles. From fairtrade gifts to ‘fair’ games and thoughtful activities, there are lots of options worth considering to help you throw an ethical kids’ party.
People from all walks of life are continually rushing around on a daily basis and relaxation time, or down time, is something that many are lacking in their lives. Taking up a new hobby, or rekindling one that has been left behind over the years, is a great way to have some relaxation time for yourself and it can also improve moods and relieve stress. Knitting is one of the oldest hobbies that exists today and is one that continues to grow in popularity year after year.
Knitting is also a great skill to teach to your children as it encourages discipline, following instructions, and taking pride in your work. Getting your children involved in your hobby will mean that they are able to spend quality time with you, and you will hopefully both end up with a hand made item that provides a sense of satisfaction and a rewarding experience. Teaching your children to knit will also ensure that this wonderful hobby continues to be passed down from generation to generation. Yes it is easy to go to the shop and purchase a jumper, however the experience of knitting a garment yourself, simply cannot be matched.
Knitting for local charities, raffles, and even for maternity wards, is a marvellous idea and provides many families with quality hand made garments that simply can’t be purchased from regular stores. There is nothing better than receiving soft babies booties, warm cardigans and baby blankets when you have a newborn.
If you are a beginner and you are looking forward to starting your first project, it could be a good idea to start with a simple knitting pattern. Many knitting patterns, knitting wools and knitting accessories can be easily found online, and they can also be more affordable than purchasing them from a regular store. Knitting patterns can be hard to follow at first, however if you look for one suitable for beginners, you will find that the instructions are basic and all of the information you need to know in regards to the correct sized knitting needles, the right type of wool yarn to use, and the basic stitches you will need to master, are all included. Searching online will also provide you with various hints, tips and tricks that will be useful to you when you are just starting out. These tips have often been provided by experts, that have been knitting for many years and who have created many hand made garments using a variety of knitting wools.
Although knitting is one of the world’s oldest hobbies, there are always new trends, new knitting wools and a variety of seasonal colours to choose from. Once you gain experience in the basics of this craft, you should try and experiment with the type of wool knitting yarn that you use. Creating an item using alpaca wool yarn, even if it is only a scarf to start with, will definitely be a delight.
Consider taking up this hobby, and get your children involved, to increase your quality time with them through doing something that is enjoyable and also very rewarding.
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