Top Tips before Visiting a Waterpark in Australia

Australia Water Park Trip Tips

Summertime is the perfect time to head to the waterpark and enjoy some fun in the sun. With so many different waterparks located all around Australia, there's sure to be one near you that will provide a great day out for the whole family. So, if you're looking for some excitement this summer, be sure to check out one of these amazing Australian waterparks and follow these tips.

Top Water Parks in Australia

There are many different waterparks located all around Australia, and each one offers a unique experience for visitors. Here are some of the best waterparks in the country:

• Gumbuya World - Gumbuya world is located in Victoria, just 45 minutes from Melbourne. The park offers an amazing range of attractions including whirlpools, wave pools, lazy rivers and the G-Force Waterslides.

• Adventure World - This park is located in Perth and is geared towards families with kids. It features a number of slides, pools, games, and rides.

• Wibit Sports Park - This park is located near Sydney and offers a unique experience for visitors. Instead of traditional waterpark features like slides, you get to enjoy inflatable obstacle courses in the open ocean instead. It's perfect for family fun!

• Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast - This park is located in Queensland near Brisbane and offers a variety of slides and rides

Tips for visiting a waterpark with kids

Most waterparks are perfect for a fun day out for the whole family, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind when visiting with kids. Here are some tips to help make your day at the park enjoyable for everyone:

• Make sure your kids are familiar with the safety rules of the park before you go.

• Help them stay safe by ensuring they always listen to the lifeguards and follow their instructions.

• Teach your kids how to swim and be aware of their surroundings in the pool.

• Bring sunscreen and hats for protection against the sun, and don't forget to apply it regularly.

• Pack plenty of water and snacks to keep them hydrated and fueled.

Things not to bring at the park 

When you're visiting a waterpark in Australia, be sure to leave the following items at home:

• Sunglasses: While sunglasses are a great accessory for the beach, they can actually be quite dangerous when you're swimming or playing in the water. If a lens falls off and ends up in the water, it can become a serious safety hazard. 

• Jewelry: This includes anything from earrings to necklaces and rings. The last thing you want is to lose your precious jewelry in the water!

• Glass: No glass containers are allowed inside the waterpark, so leave your glass bottles or jars at home. 

Waterparks are a great way to enjoy the summer with friends and family, but these establishments can be tricky. There are many different types of waterparks in Australia, so it’s important to know which one is best for you before visiting. In this article we covered some of the most popular parks, as well as some tips to help you make your next adventure a better one! 

                                                                                                                                     -Guest Post

How to Throw a Birthday Party People Will Always Remember

Throw a Birthday Party Tips

Looking for the perfect gift to give a loved one for their next birthday? Research shows that experiences are much better remembered and received than tangible gifts. Throwing a big bash is the perfect way to celebrate a birthday milestone. With the right birthday party planning tips, you can even make the event more entertaining and memorable. 

 Hosting the party at a home gives you much more flexibility over the event date and other details, but read on for more ideas on where to host a birthday party in case your home isn't the best option. These tips on how to throw a memorable birthday party will help to impress everyone on your party guest list. 

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links.

Throw the perfect Birthday Party with these tips!

Pick the Perfect Theme

• One of the key tips to plan a birthday party is to pick a theme that ties in all of the party elements. This includes party decor, games, menus, invites, favors, and other birthday party details.

• Many adult party hosts even plan a signature cocktail around the theme of the party. You can do the same for a child's birthday party, think: goblin green punch, butterbeer, or a colorful layered  smoothie.

• For adult birthday parties, popular party theme choices include: The Roaring 20's, Casino Night, Fiesta, Mystery Dinners, and Luaus. You can also plan the party around a special holiday, like St. Paddy's Day. A themed party encourages guests to dress up, so be sure to add dress attire requirements the party invitations.

Gamer's Theme Party Invitations.

Decorations are an important factor when learning how to throw a memorable birthday party with style. Be sure to order party supplies that fit the theme of the event. Top decor ideas include balloon arches, banners, table settings, and floral arrangements. 

Decorate with Classy Balloons for an Adult's Birthday Party.

Set a Fun and Simple Location and Time

• Picking the right venue and location is key for how to plan a birthday party for adults. Of course, it's best to finalize your guest list before choosing a location. This way you have a better idea of how large of a space you'll need. You don't want to end up with too small a space and there's no need to pay for a large space if not needed. 

• Another venue option is to head to the beach or lake. Guests can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, beach volleyball games, and camping. Make sure you research the open container policy for these types of locations. You also want to ensure there's are restrooms and a nearby pavilion in case of bad weather. 

• Pick a venue that offers fun activities. Try a bowling alley, trampoline park, or escape the room venue. Renting a private room in a restaurant is another simple way to provide a more intimate setting. 

• A special tip is to keep the location easy enough for guests to attend. Meaning they won't need to take time off from work or make expensive travel arrangements to accommodate attending your birthday party. If you really want people to show up, choose a location that's familiar with locals and easy for out of towners to find.

• Keep it casual with a simple backyard soiree. Host a barbecue with fun outdoor games and a firepit. Be sure to have a weather backup plan, like renting a tent in case of rain or making space in your garage.

• Of course, it's best to have the event on a Saturday or Sunday to ensure the best availability of guests. Early afternoon is also ideal for event timing. Many families have sporting events on the weekend and others enjoying sleeping in, so an afternoon party gives them time to plan around personal and family obligations.

Create a Delicious Menu

• An impressive and delicious party food menu makes birthday events even more memorable. Choose heavy appetizers or a buffet-style meal. Serving cocktails and light canapes is a popular choice for an afternoon birthday party for adults.

• An always favorable idea is to grill hot dogs and hamburgers. Then, serve a few different salads and appetizers. Include favorites like a meat and cheese board, veggie tray, and chips and dips.

• It's creative to try and tie your menu in with the party theme. For a fiesta-style event, have a make your own taco bar. Include chips, salsa, guacamole, and margaritas.

• Decide ahead of time if you 're going to make all of the food, host a potluck party, or hire a caterer. Catering gives you more time and energy to enjoy the party. Yet, it's the more expensive option.

• Make sure you have enough supplies, including: cups, cutlery, napkins, and dinnerware. You should also serve a variety of drink options, including: wine, beer, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and water.

• Don't forget some type of dessert for guests to enjoy. Maybe you create a themed custom-made cake, cupcakes, or a variety of bite-sized sweets.

• Get a final guest count with RSVP's, so you know how much food to serve. It's smart to have extra drinks and snacks on hand in case the party runs late into the night. No one wants to leave the best birthday party ever!

Make Sure There's Good Entertainment

• The best adult birthday party ideas should include unique entertainment. This keeps energy levels up and avoids guests from getting bored and leaving early.

• When hosting a fun birthday party, music is a essential party element.  The right style of music will improve the mood of your guests and influence your guest's level of happiness.

• Hire a local band or DJ to play music. A less-expensive option is to set up Spotify to play through a speaker system or Amazon Music through an Alexa device. Another fun idea, is to rent a karaoke machine so guests can provide their own entertainment.

• Depending on the party theme,  you can also hire out entertainment including: Fortune tellers, magicians, makeup or henna tattoo artists.

• Fun card games or activities can go a long way to keep your guests entertained. Ladder ball, cornhole, and beer pong are popular choices. Guests will also enjoy playing darts, foosball, or pool.

Set up the Party for Style, Convenience, and Comfort

• A key tip is to give yourself enough time to set up the decor. Ask close friends and family members for help if you need it. Try to do as much as you can the day before to save on time.

• It helps to create an organized timeline and checklist for any deliveries. This includes: furniture rentals, catering, and music equipment.

• Set up tables for gifts, favors, food, and the dessert ahead of time. Be sure to provide plenty of seating for guests layered with the finest chair covers and linens, both inside and outside of the venue. Some guests may want to step outside for fresh air, to talk on the phone, or take a smoke break.

• Keep all of the bathrooms well-stocked with toiletry essentials. You may even want to consider renting a portable toilet for larger outdoor events.

• Lighting is an important aspect of any adult birthday party. Lighting accents help to create the right ambiance for the party. Add bistro lights around any outdoor living spaces.

• Always make sure there are plenty of trashcans and recycle bins placed around the event. This makes for a much easier clean-up when the party is over.

How to Throw a Birthday Party to Impress Your Guests

You'll want to be sure that all of your guest's needs are met and you have set the right party ambiance for the right crowd. And, if your party is outdoors, don't forget to come up with a backup plan in case of inclement weather. No one wants to go to all of the trouble planning a great party only to have it washed out.  Hopefully, these party tips will help you know how to throw a birthday party that wows your party guests. Remember, planning an unforgettable party involves picking the right theme, venue, menu, and entertainment.


Recommended:

How to Throw a Backyard Birthday Party

Games to Play at Birthday Parties



Pin it so you don't forget it!

Throw a Backyard Party Tips and Ideas

Throwing a Child’s Party in Your Yard: A Guide 

Planning a birthday party? Are you tired of indoor bouncy play areas? How about mini golf or pizza arcades? Do you never want to see a ball pit ever again for as long as you live? If so, do something different for your child’s next birthday party. Throwing a backyard party is easier than you think! Here's a guide to help you prep for the best garden yard party ever!

This post contains affiliate links.

Sure, you could invite your child’s friends over to a party inside your home, but that always results in a big mess to clean after the party. No doubt something will end up broken. Who wants to deal with all that after entertaining a house full of kids all day?

When you host an outdoor yard party for your child, you don’t have to worry about fingerprints on your door, dirt tracked in your kitchen, or things getting broken. Especially, if you rent a port-a potty! You can finally sit back, relax, and actually have a good time.

Just add a portable camping toilet. Get Pod tent on Amazon.

Always expect the unexpected! To ensure that your guests have a good time at the party, prepare in advance to avoid last minute hassles. Make sure the yard is safe place for the kiddos to run around. Things happen, these yard party tips and ideas will help you avoid mishaps and unhappy guests!

3 Things to Do to Host a Fun and Safe Child’s Backyard Party

Rid your Yard of Pests

Before throwing a party, most people don't consider all of the creatures that run a muck in their yard. The last thing you want at an outdoor yard party is a swarm of nasty wasps or an infestation of ants taking up residence and ruining the party. Most kids are afraid of insects and rodents, which is why you should rid your yard of pests before your guests arrive and the party starts.

When you take on the all-important challenge of banishing pests from your yard, it’s essential that you enlist the help of a professional pest service such as Moxie Pest Control. They'll have the tools, the all-important know-how, and the experience needed to ensure that your pest problem is dealt with in the most effective manner possible. 

Once the pests are under control, you can begin the fun tasks of setting up and decorating for the party.

Set up Food and Drink Stations

Want to be really fancy? If you’ve got plenty of space in your yard, consider setting up different food and drink stations. Galvanized buckets are perfect for serving up treats and even party games. This gives your birthday party guests something to pick at or indulge in while waiting for the cake. Nobody will get hungry, thirsty, or bored at your party. So it will reduce the number of fussy kids and party-goers.

Are you stuck for inspiration when it comes to deciding what food and drink stations to set up in the backyard? Consider the ideas below for party food and drink stations for a crowd.

A galvanized cart with wheels is perfect for toting
around beverages at a garden party.

For the kids:

Ice-cream stations

Candy stations, get bulk candy at OrientalTrading.

Smoothie stations

Chip and Dip station, plastic beach pails also make a fun, decorative way to serve snacks.

For the adults:

Espresso stations

Cheese stations

Pimms stations

Always Consider the Weather

Even if you plan your child’s yard party in the midst of the summer, you can never be quite sure that it won’t rain on the day of the party. To ensure that your shindig isn’t ruined by the weather, check your weather app often. Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best! Be sure to have a backup plan, such as, a wet weather tent on hand just in case the heavens do decide to open and rain on your party.

Follow the tips mentioned, and you’ll be sure to host a stress free backyard party for kids!

Recommended:

Party Games and Ideas for Kids

Party Ideas for Kids of all Ages

Get Kids Garden Party Decorations on Amazon

Pin it to Remember it!

What are Good Outdoor Games to Play?

10 Great Outdoor Games for Kids

The days of simple parties where balloons, music, and a cake with candles were enough are long gone. In 2019, fun birthday ideas are at a whole new level. You need these 10 great outdoor games for kids to get moving and enjoy their special day.

Kim and Kanye set the bar high with a "kidchella" themed party, featuring bouncy houses, a Ferris wheel, and several music stages. While you won't have the same budget as the Kardashians, take inspiration from their intuitive ideas and create a party with good outdoor games to play.

If you're arranging a summer party for your kid's birthday bash, what outdoor games can you play? Read on for the 411 on which outside games your kids will actually love!

This post contain Amazon Affiliate Links.

Outdoor Games Kids Will Love

We all know the math. Kids + Birthday parties = Chaos!

Instead of expecting kids to sit around, drink tea, and chat like adults, prepare some cool games that will burn all their pent-up party energy. We've chosen 10 outdoor games that will have your guests giggling from beginning to end. Are you ready? Let's get this party started!

1. Hop Your Way to Victory

Try a traditional sack-race to get the kids moving. Give each child a good quality burlap bag or king-size pillowcase. Line them up in a grassy area and have them hop their way to victory down a marked path.

To mix it up a little, decorate the plain sacks. Make it more challenging and make the marked path curvy. Even if you just do it the old-fashioned way, it'll get a lot of laughs on the way, Scout's honor!

2. Make Your Birthday Party Pop

Balloon stomping is one of the best group games for parties. What's a party without balloons popping?

Before the party starts, prepare by blowing up at least one balloon per guest and a few extras just in case. Tie a long string or ribbon around the end of the balloon so that it is long enough to tie around the children's ankles.

When the party gets started, tie a balloon around the ankle of each child. The aim of the game is to pop everyone else's balloon while protecting your own. The last kid with an intact balloon wins.

3. Jump to It

Let the kids blow off a little steam before you sit down to open presents. One of the best outdoor games for kids, is an outdoor bouncy house. Hiring a bouncy house is an exciting treat for the kids! It really is fun for all ages (even big kids!)

From bouncy houses and inflatable water slides to blow-up climbing walls and bouncy bungee runs, knowing which one to choose boggles the mind. Do your research to find out more about the options and you'll find the perfect match for your big outdoor birthday bash.

4. Treasure Hunt

Treasure hunts have been around a long time, but they're still one of the most interesting outside games for kids to play. Adapt the hunt depending on the ages of the guests and the style of the party. Be sure to offer prizes and other birthday party favors for the winning team.

For instance, create a list of items in nature they have to find in a certain time limit. Give each guest some magnifying glasses, binoculars, and a treasure bag for their adventure. They can search for various bugs, pinecones, daisies, leaves, and more on a nature scavenger hunt or you can hide items throughout the yard and give them a list of riddles to solve to find the next treasure. As an alternative, hide pieces of treasure and candy for the kids to find. Give them a bucket and send them on their scavenger hunt,

5. Cool Pool Party

Fun birthday ideas for the summer usually involve water. Wet and wild games give kids the chance to get soaked and cool off. A pool prize search is one of the most fun outside games for a kid's party.

Use an inflatable pool filled with water. Hide weighted treasures at the bottom of the pool. Then, fill the rest of the pool with floating toys and balls, so that it's hard to see what's at the bottom. Give the kids a time limit and tell them to find the treasures at the bottom of the pool.

If kids are a bit older and it seems too easy, try blindfolding them. Their teammates can shout out directions to help them find the treasure.

6. Use Your Noodle

One of the cheapest outside games for kids is Pool Noodle Croquet. It's budget-friendly but takes a little bit of time to set up.

Create several pool noodle arches in your back yard and stake them into the ground. Give each child a pool noodle and an inflated beach ball. The idea is to be the first to get the ball through the course of arches.

7. Make a Splash

Another variation of a classic game is water balloon baseball. It's one of the easiest outdoor games for kids and parents because it's so easy to set up.

All you need is a baseball bat and some pre-filled water balloons. Make sure the guests are ready to get soaked!

8. A Tasty Mess

Fun birthday ideas have got to include cakes and treats, right? So why not turn your dessert into a game? When played outside, this donut game is lots of fun.

Tie dangling donuts from a high place, such as a tree or doorway. Then have a donut eating race, without using hands. Chocolate donuts make the most mess, so be ready with a cleanup team when the game is over.

9. Water Shoot

Here's another outdoor water game for you. Divide the party into two teams. For each team, string a plastic sand pails onto one end of a clothesline.

The concept of this game is for each team to work together to move their bucket along the clothesline, using only the spray water guns. Of course, if you don't have enough squirt guns for the party, you could fill up plastic bottles instead. Be sure the squirt guns are powerful enough to make the pails move!

10. An In-Tents Party

Another awesome outside party activity is camping. If camping somewhere remote is too much of a task, just set up a camp ground in your backyard.

Set up tents and a supervised fire-pit. Play some camping-themed games during the day. And when it gets dark, roast some s'mores on the campfire and tell scary stories.

Keep Calm and Party On!

We hoe you like this list of outdoor games with a twist for parties. Pick one, two, or as many outside games as you want, to make your birthday bash super fun!

What if it turns out to be a rainy day and you can't have fun in the sun? For some more games inspiration, both inside and out, check out the "Games" section of our blog.

Recommended:

Teen Birthday Game Ideas and Activities

Balloons for Parties

Rainy Day Activities

How do you Keep Kids Happy on Rainy Days?

A Guide to Keeping Your Kids Happy on Rainy Days

For adults and teens rainy days are great: you have the perfect excuse to stay inside, curl up on the couch and catch up with your favorite TV show or video game. Yet for little ones, rainy days force them to face the prospect of one more dreaded day stuck inside the house. When you use this guide to keeping your kids happy on rainy days for tips and tricks, rainy days don’t have to equal boredom for the kiddos!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Howdy Partner! Mayhem in a Cowboy Costume.

Boredom Busters for Rainy Days

Click through the links below for fun activities on how to keep kids happy on rainy days.

Get Creative with Painting

Painting doesn’t have to be just painting anymore; try some fun ideas, like painting with spaghetti, or paint rocks to look like ladybugs (on a drier day before the rain started, of course) or try finger painting in a fun new way. If you're up for it, let the kids try face painting with you as their model!

Maybe you have a designated kids' playroom and you want to get creative with a spare bit of white wall that's just begging for a splash of bright color. You can always paint your wall like a chalkboard and let the kids go wild!

If you're organized, you can prep for rainy day activities during the summer by collecting interesting seashells at the beach or walnuts in the yard, and saving them for a rainy day when you and the kids can paint the shells all kinds of creative ways!

Entertain All of Their Senses

As you know, younger kids are receptive to nearly anything entertaining, so don’t underestimate the power of visual and aural stimulation. Whether it’s a colorful cartoon on the TV or sound waves making the floor vibrate with their favorite childhood tunes, you can use this stimulation as a spin off for a drawing activity like this cartoon anime lesson.

Oh, how times have changed!

Also, you may want to consider investing a little more in home tech equipment for a true all-round experience; for example, thewireszone.com has a great range of audio and video equipment, including amplifiers to really fill up the house on those gloomy weather days. With all those beats pumping though the house, you'll be up dancing on the ceiling! Seriously though, dancing with your kids is the best rainy day boredom buster ever!!

Use the Furniture to Your Advantage

If you have a large living space with plenty of couches and chairs, consider building a lion's den or a makeshift maze for the kids. You can move the furniture around and even drape the furniture in towels and bed sheets to create a cozy tent or tepee area for the kids to crawl into and stay quiet for a while. Ask Alexa to read a story while you catch up on some chores.

Decorate with Fairy Lights. Photo Credit: Amazon

Add a sensory element by placing toys and books inside the blankets and light it up with funky fairy lights to make it a space the kiddos will never want to leave (until the sun comes out, of course.)

Catch up with Chores

It doesn't sound like the most fun thing to do, but if you have a whole bunch of household tasks you need to catch up with – and a rainy day just so happens to present an opportunity to do just that – then make the kids pitch in and get all those chores done together.

Need some motivation? Here are some printable chore charts for kids to help you keep track of their progress and work toward rewards!

Turn ‘matching up odd socks’ into a fun game with a prize, or maybe get creative in the kitchen if you have food that needs prepped, and let the kids help whisk up dinner!

You can also turn chores into competitions! Promise a special treat for the winner of ‘who can tidy the front room the fastest!’

How cool is that? Using chores as rainy day boredom busters is a great way to teach kids that helping around the house can be fun!

Play Dress Up in Costumes

You don't need a trunk full of costumes to play dress up with kids and keep them happy on a rainy day. No Ma'am, just raid your closets for old clothes, ties, and bandannas. In the picture above, we raided Grandma and Grandpa's closets for an old vest from the 70's, a gun holster, and an Australian Outback hat. Voila! Instant cowgirl costume.

Making costumes can keep kids busy for at least an hour on a rainy day. Once the costumes are complete, it's time for some good old fashioned pretend play!

• Use Cotton Balls to Make a Sheep Costume
• No sew Nativity Costumes
• Ideas for Easy Halloween Costumes
• Pretend Play as a Doctor or Nurse
• Make Costumes from Cardboard Boxes
• Dress up like a Chef
• Pretend Play at a Bakery with a Cool Cardboard Stove

Recommended:

Easy Non-Toxic Face Paint Recipe

Get Fairy Lights on Amazon

Games for Kids from Kids Creative Chaos

Cool Socks for Kids

Do Cool Dr. Seuss Theme Activities on a Rainy Day