Craft for ChildrenKids

Squidgydoodle Pirate Party Box Review

Reviewed by Sarah Bryan

This jam crammed box of creative delights, from Squidgydoodle, is all you need for a guaranteed fun arty party for kids.

The box arrived emblazoned with the colourful Squidgydoodle logo and from the very first impression it screams fun. “It’s actually got my name on it!” squealed my 4-year-old daughter eager to see inside. The personal welcome matters, especially when you’re a child and the world revolves around you; so to see my little girls face listening intently as I read out the card telling her everything that was inside for her party she instantly felt special and couldn’t wait to get planning.

Our Party box was Pirate themed but there are lots to choose from including Fairy and Superhero, so there’s something for everyone. It’s incredibly simple to order online at www.squidgydoodle.co.uk as there are 3 options to pick from depending on how many guests you want at your party. We invited 8 children aged 4-6 which was within the age guide of 3-8.

Everything you need to run your own crafty party is included in this party box and by that I do mean everything. Upon purchasing a party box with Squidgydoodle you are given access to free online printable invitations which is another time and effort saver. You also get the craft materials and equipment for 4 themed activities. From glue sticks to disposable tablecloths Squidgydoodle have got it covered.

There are also helpful handy sized cards giving you tips on running an arty party, prep for the party host and pirate game ideas. I found these cards absolutely invaluable and used some of the game suggestions. Also included are Thank You notes for afterwards.

I found Debbie’s blog on the Squidgydoodle website very useful and full of ideas to accentuate your themed party and her page on Pinterest is worth a read too (it has over 17K viewers so you’re in good taste!). I took inspiration from here and did our own “walk the plank” and “treasure hunt” in the sandpit. You can go as mad as you want with your party; hey why not include some themed party food too, after all the activities are all sorted for you!

You can choose to add on extras from the Squidgydoodle website such as a Squidgydoodle T-shirt to colour and personalise – we had one of these and it was the first thing my daughter wanted to do and it hung waiting to be worn with pride on party day.

There is a teeny tiny bit of prep to remember to do prior to your party – such as soaking these weeny blue beads in water that grown into the big water filled blue pearls of loveliness. And on party day, you just need to set the activities up and leave the children to unleash their creativity!

The activity that had the children most enthused was “The Stormy Sea” – and I very nearly passed off the beautifully hand drawn underwater scene as my own due to the number of compliments it received. The children got fully involved with squirting syringe fulls of ocean coloured paint letting loose on creating a wonderfully messy work of art as a group. During the post party calm when everyone had gone home, my daughter returned back to this activity and enjoyed adding to it on her own. We even used it again the next day when my nieces visited by turning it over and enjoying it all over again!

The treasure map and pirate wanted poster crafts were both fantastic and the children took their time first preparing the map paper with the t bags and then while they were drying, they started their wanted posters. There are enough pieces for all the party guests meaning it was squabble free and fair. I loved that there were 8 glue sticks and enough pencils so lots of the kids could do this at the same time. No one needs or wants unnecessary drama at a party right?

The activity that caused the attention and which all the children returned back to over and over was the “Sea Creatures” – my 4-year-old and her 2-year-old sister had spent the previous evening swishing their hands around in a big bowl filled with those engorged blue pearls of wonder searching for the rubbery sea creatures that lay beneath. Such a clever and calming idea and a wonderful sensory activity enjoyed at the party by younger siblings under supervision (Also enjoyed by adults too!). We’ve still got a big pot of these blue balls slowly shrinking so that we can use these another time. The children were mesmerised by this at the party and it had a lovely calming effect on them.

The materials used in the party box are of a high quality, for instance the tablecloths were super absorbent, the pots of paint were a good size allowing for repeat uses and I overheard one child commenting on how nice the pencils were to draw with.

Of course, it’s very special for the children to take home their own themed party creations to keep as a memento of what is a rather unique and special type of party.

It may cross your mind as you browse over the activities if it is indeed worth £80 for a themed craft party box; could you do it yourself instead? But then you look at the wide variety of papers and cards used and the delicate cut out shapes and the equipment needed for printing and preparing of it all and the time and effort that it would take to source all of the items and you realise that it is indeed completely worth the money. This is no bog-standard arty party box, it’s a personalised well thought out and balanced collection of craft items all planned out for you, taking out the stress of trying to arrange it all yourself. The only thing we added to our painty party was pirate telescopes from toilet roll tubes, simply painted black with a gold edge.

Squidgydoodle is a small business run by a mum called Debbie who has a background in art, a flair for creativity, tons of experience in hands on kids crafting fun at workshops and parties and of course with her own children. As well as party boxes, there are also smaller craft boxes at very affordable prices, we will be trying one of these next!

Debbie has obviously put her heart and soul into this business and it shines through; she’s thought of everything. The activities have been tailored to create a balance between loud roaring messiness, delicate skill and concentration and tranquil calmness. This lady is a genius! We could all do with a Debbie at our party but the next best thing is one of her Squidgydoodle Party Boxes.

Without a doubt a 5 star item that will guarantee extra smiles on the faces of the children at your party.

Rating: 5/5

The Pirate Party Box cost from £80 (up to 8 children) to £180 (up to 30 children).

For more information visit squidgydoodle.co.uk.

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