Having a January birthday can be a bit of a pain as the weather is up and down and many of the activities the kids enjoy don’t run in the winter.
However, Eliza has been planning her birthday party ever since Sebastian had his Mad4Animals party back in June.
Eliza decided on a Harry Potter theme for her birthday and requested that we used Mad4Animals to provide the entertainment as she had enjoyed Sebby’s party so much. Her main stipulation was that they brought animals from the film.
As she shares a birthday with a classmate, we decided on a joint party so could invite the whole class and hired out our local community centre, which is large enough to accommodate everyone.
For those a little nervous of bugs and critters, the Mad4Animals motto is “Learning through Laughter” and AJ had the kids and adults enthralled from the very start with his zany antics and fun innuendo.
Our first animal was a Madagascan hissing cockroach, which as appeared in both Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and one of Eliza’s classmates was eager to hold it.
The parents don’t get away with it either and next up was one very brave Dad who had a cockroach placed on his face.
Our host, AJ, was brilliant fun, presenting each creature to the crowd so they all had a good view of it.
With each animal, AJ first tested the kids knowledge with some fun questions before giving us all fun facts each creature and selecting some of the children out of the audience to take part in some fun challenges, using fun and laughter to help anyone overcome any fears.
The kids loved it when the parents were selected for challenges and Felix’s dad bravely laid on the floor with a huge Burmese Python.
I was quite relieved that I wasn’t chosen to hold the spider again, as this one moved far more than the one I held at Sebby’s party, but Sam did an amazing job.
The highlight of the party for Eliza was getting to hold the owls. AJ brought two with him; Ron’s Scops Owl and Hermione’s Barn Owl.
Once the show was over, all the children got the opportunity to meet, hold and have photo’s with some of the animals AJ had brought along, including an adorable Tenrec, the corn snakes and of course the owls.
AJ was then left to clear up whilst the kids washed their hands before getting stuck into some party food and of course that all important cake!
My friend Michelle from Sculpted Bakes excelled herself with this amazing Hedwig Snowy Owl Cake, which was chocolate inside and tasted divine.
Apparently the kids haven’t stopped talking about the party at school this week, so safe to say it was a big hit with everyone.
If you would like to see Mad4Animals, they are hosting the Jungle Challenge at Verwood Hub on 8th April. Head over to their facebook page or Verwood Hub for more details on how to book tickets.
Would your kids like a party like this?
I would literally live in fear of being picked to hold that spider!! Aarrgghh!!
Wow everyone is so brave!! I’d have liked the snakes but not so sure about the insects! Looks like a fabulous party !
January birthdays are rubbish due to the weather, it looks like she had a great birthday my Daughter would have loved this theme when she was little
What an amazing sounding party – how incredible to get to hold all those different animals. I love how they have linked it to Harry Potter as well!
Oh my goodness the snake around her head! She is so brave – bless her. This looks like an amazing experience.
My baby girl is born at the end of December and I know how difficult is to organize something really cool when outside is too cold.
But I don’t think I am ready for a cockroach on my face, hahaha. Too much for me. Maybe our daddy can do it. I think it’s a great idea to give the kids some fun challenges, they need to explore the world and overcome their fears. I think you made a great party.
I love Harry Potter, I’ve read the books and seen the movies multiple times. I’d enjoy a party like this, that cake looks great.
OMG I know my kids would totally love Mad4Animals party, but to be honest I would be squeamish. I just love how all they brought out so many animals and the Burmese Python looks amazing! The cake looks so realistic as well.
This sounds like an amazing party. I’ve never seen anything like this before.
What a fab and really different birthday party for kids. Although I honestly could not have been within a foot of a snake – my worst fear!
Oh my gosh this looks amazing! What a great birthday party idea! Not sure I could be brave enough to hold any insects though!
A Harry Potter party sounds like a wonderful idea! My kids love Harry Potter and animals so they would absolutely adore this.
That sounds like such an amazing birthday party. The cake looks too good to eat!
I know the feeling about January birthdays, they do get better though, it’s something nice to look forward to once Christmas is over. This looks like a very cool birthday party idea x
This is such a fun idea for a party! I am not sure I’d be brave enough to hold all of the animals though!
I can see why the kids are still talking about the party. It looks like fun.
It looks completely different type of party and is a different experience altogether, i would be concerned my kids might not like it but i would be so good to try and push their boundaries.
My eldest would absolutely love this sort of party. He is just getting into Harry Potter like many of his friends. Will keep this in mind!
Happy Birthday Eliza! It was my birthday last weekend and Jan and Feb are hard to organise things outside because of the weather! Love the Hedwig Snowy Owl cake – it looks amazing! What a fab party!
Oh wow I bet she loved this – those animals and bugs are so cool and great idea for a party and also just want to say how amazing her owl cake is!! Awesome
Laura x
With an animal loving daughter this sounds like the perfect party for her.
I definitely be looking to see if there is one available in Ireland.
This is a brilliant idea for a different kind of birthday party. How lovely it must be for her that the other kids at school are still raving about her party!
Oh wow how cool is this. Love all the animals and a great idea for a childrens party – love this xx
Oh my goodness this looks amazing, we are all potter heads in this household. My daughter wants a Harry Potter party for her birthday
My boys love Harry Potter. We read the first book together last year. I want them to have read all the books before we watch the films. They would love a party like this though.