Oooh check out these CD case beans

If you fancy inspiring the kids to help you out with some vegetable growing this year, then this is a great idea from Art Projects. All you need is some wet compost, seeds and a fat CD case and then watch them grow. It's a great way to teach kids about the below ground germination process before planting the seedlings out and watching them flourish.

Finale pic from the Titanic party

Top Trump your friends and family

Last weekend marked the start of our bittersweet countdown to leaving life on the river. Our new Devonshire home is almost in the bag and the realisation of what we're about to do and all that we're leaving is finally beginning to kick in.

One of the many upsides however is that any departure warrants a party or ten. First up was last weekend's dinner for twenty of our closest friends. Given the relative intimate quarters that our houseboat offers, this required considerable moving of furniture and hiding of kids toys.








The theme for the evening was to dress for the ballroom of the Titanic. There were some fairly creative interpretations including my beloved dressed as a mermaid. Never one to miss an opportunity to show off his feminine charms

One of the games we played was a round of Titanic Top Trumps which involved guests drawing the person who sat to their left and marking them on a set criteria. We went for Manners, Conversation, Attire and their Ability to run a brothel (what else).




The game was a winner and provided some very amusing drawings as well as a spot of after dinner entertainment for those who played a round of Titanic Top Trumps with the finished cards.

The cards also made brilliant place names and I reckon it would be a fantastic game to play at a wedding. Let me know if you use it as would love to hear how it went down.

Pumpkin carving alternative for kids

I love these junk drawer pumpkins by the rather brilliant Family Chic blog. Given the napalm like combination of little children and sharp knives, these make a far safer alternative.

Halloween games - Toilet paper mummies

This year, we're hosting a Halloween party for the children on the island where we live. It's become a bit of a tradition and gives the kids a chance to get in the mood with some spooky games and a Halloween themed tea before heading out for some island trick or treating.

This year one of the games that we're going to be playing is Toilet Paper Mummies. It's a really simple, if slightly messy activity that was a big hit when we played it at Camp Bestival - see pic.

To give it a go get the kids into teams of two or more. Give each of the teams a toilet roll and get them to nominate who is the Mummie and who are the Wrappers. On the word 'Go' the kids have 60 seconds to mummify their Mummy by wrapping them in toilet paper. The team with the best wrapped Mummy at the end of the 60 seconds wins.