This summer the NSPCC teamed up with In the Night Garden HQ to launch a very special themed fundraising event – the Picnic Party. The aim was to encourage families across the country to get together and host their very own picnic and In the Night Garden party, asking for donations to support the charity in return. When we were invited to take part and help spread the word about the project, we didn’t take long to say yes – the NSPCC is a charity very close to my heart. As a Mum of two, I am fully behind the initiatives of the NSPCC including Childline and the Speak Out, Stay Safe campaign in schools.

In the Night Garden are celebrating their 10th birthday this year and it is still as popular as ever. I remember introducing it to Erin as a baby over 4 years ago, and now history is repeating with Neve. We recently took the girls to see In the Night Garden Live in Canon Hill park and the girls were both completely glued to the stage.

On the 20th August, the official #picnicparty day, we hosted our very own In the Night Garden Party with friends and family. We had such a wonderful day and the weather was even kind to us!

Whilst the official date for the NSPCC In the Night Garden party has passed, there is no reason why you couldn’t host your own fundraising party at any time of year. Should you wish to have your own In the Night Garden party, here’s a bit more about our party – including the games we played and the food we ate.

Iggle Piggle Jelly Boats

These were so easy to make but the finished effect looked great – the perfect snack for an In the Night Garden party. Chop in half a large orange and scoop out the contents (perfect for making fresh orange juice so no waste!). Make jelly with half the recommended amount of water (to make a slightly tougher jelly) and refridgerate over night. Chop the oranges into quarters, before adding a cocktail stick and miniature sail. These boats are just like the ones Iggle Piggle uses to sail off into the night!

Makka Pakka Rock Cakes

We all know that Makka Pakka loves his big pebble and collecting rocks and stones. These classic cornflake cakes (aka Makka Pakka Rock Cakes) are super easy to make with children and fit well with the In the Night Garden party theme! These could be alternated to be rice krispie cakes, rocky road or any other pebble like treat! 🙂

Tombliboo Cheese

The children found these hilarious – we unwrapped Babybel cheese before adding miniature smarties and drew on a face using special icing pens. The Little smarties looked just like the tombliboos hair!!!

We also added lots of usual picnic food at our In the Night Garden party including salad, sausage rolls and cupcakes (the latter of which were a bit of a Pinterest fail!!!)

The In the Night Garden Party Games

Pin the blanket on Iggle Piggle

This was really easy to play but went down an absolute treat. Children took it in turns to be blindfolded, (spun around for extra confusion) before attempting to place Iggle Piggles blanket as close to his hand as possible! It was actually surprisingly hard, but there was a prize for the closest!

Upsy Daisy Musical Statues

Upsy Daisy loves to dance so a classic game of Musical Statues seemed perfectly apt. The children danced around the Ninky Nonk before standing as still as possible when the music stopped. Move, and you’re out!

Ponitipine Treasure Hunt

These were really fun, and at a basic level, were very easy to make using wooden dolly pegs and red cardboard. We then hid the 10 pontipines, dotting them around the garden (stuck into lawn or flowerbeds) before asking the children to try and find them all. If you are more creative than me could even make little pontipine hats to go with them!

In the Night Garden have created special print out instructions and templates to help you make your own versions of the games above to use at your In the Night Garden Party.

The NSPCC campaign may now be over but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have your own fundraising party. Charge £5 a head and you will soon be raising a healthy sum to support the charity and all they do to protect young people.

Now I’m off to collect my donations! 🙂

*This is a collaborative post*