Hold a Children's Make-Over Party

Stuck for an idea for your young daughter's birthday party? Well what little girl would not relish the opportunity of a make over event?

Nearly all little girls love make up and dressing up, and most will happily spend hours with nothing more than a box of dressing up clothes and a dressing table full of cosmetics to entertain them, so why not throw a mini make over party at home?

There are many professional party organisers now offering this type of theme party for children - they will come to your home or party venue with all their kit - usually make up, hair styling equipment such as straighteners and tongs, and a selection of music for a catwalk show or disco at the end. But there's no reason why this type of party can't be thrown very easily and cheaply at home!

Party Practicalities!

Before inviting all the little girls from your daughter's class and a few more for good measure, there are a few considerations you need to take into account for this type of party.

Firstly, is age appropriate? Your three year old might love covering herself in glitter and lip gloss with your blessing but will all the other mum's at play school be happy for their little ones to, too?

Do any of the children have allergies or skin complaints that could mean they would have to be excluded from the party?

Will you have enough adults on hand to assist with making over the guests? If you haven't you could end up with a fractious, grumpy queue of little girls - which would not be conducive to a party atmosphere!

If you are happy with the logistics of the party and your invites have been well received and replied to, then you are good to go!

What Will I Need?

Really, very little! Invest in plenty of packs of fragrance free baby-wipes, cotton wool pads, cotton buds and baby lotion for your make-over table, and check out budget make up ranges for bright, trendy glitter pots, lip glosses and neon nail varnishes.

For hair styling, lay out an assortment of scrunchies, Alice bands and spray-on hair glitter or colour - avoid heated appliances with very young children, unless there is adequate supervision or an out-of-reach place to store them between make-overs.

But what About the Mess?!

To avoid mess and the risk of spillage and staining, keep your make up station away from the rest of the party - use a kitchen or bathroom that can be easily cleaned up, and have entertainment laid on in another room for the girls who have had their make up done already, or who are waiting.

Record the Moment!

Take before and after pictures to either slip in to going home bags or to send out with thank you letters after the event.

Going Home Goodies

For other-home-bag treats, stock up on hair accessories such as pony tail bands, clip-in hair pieces, roll-on body glitters and mini cosmetics such as dinky bottles of glittery nail varnish or fruity lip glosses.

Your little one is guaranteed to be 'made up' with the results!