As POD’s birthday is on Christmas Day, last Summer we had an ‘un-birthday’ party for her. We were treated to glorious sunshine and blue skies, perfect for a BBQ and lots of fun in the garden. Everyone had a great time and it meant POD could have a entire day that was just about her.
This year we decided to do much of the same. A party for POD with some of her nursery chums, many of whom start school in September. We kept our fingers crossed on the weather front knowing heavy rain was forecast either side of the day itself.
POD knew she was having an ‘un-birthday’ party but wasn’t aware there was a bouncy castle appearing too, we’d kept it a secret. The BeBop Wizards Den Bouncy Castle arrived the day before the party. We were hoping to put it up early so POD could test it when she returned from pre-school but in typical British style, the heavens opened. However the following morning we were up early to inflate the castle, only to discover it took less than ten minutes!
All we had to do was to anchor it down with jumbo yellow pegs, attach the 380w electric fan to the inflatable and turn it on. And there it was, a brightly coloured wizard’s den just asking to be jumped on. As it had a wizard theme, there where four turrets plus of course a large area to bounce on (213cm x 185cm) and a 90cm entrance slide. We were so impressed with the quality of the bouncy castle. Designed for children aged 3-8, it’s made from double stitched, double laminated nylon and PVC so it was strong.
POD was thrilled when she saw it. She stood looking out of the window for a few seconds with her mouth agog before squealing with delight! She was outside before I could say “do you want to test it before everyone arrives?”. After a good 30 minutes bouncing around, heading down the slide and back up again, we turned the fan off. The castle deflated just as quickly as it had inflated. We didn’t want POD to wear herself out before her guests arrived. The BBQ wasn’t kicking off for another four hours!
This 10ft bouncy castle was the perfect size for POD’s party (length 325cm x width 230cm x height 200cm). We have two decked areas in the garden, a BBQ area around the side plus POD also has a playhouse on stilts with a swing and slide attached too. We wanted to make sure the ten or so children coming had ample room for running around and the adults had some space to relax in too.
Each of the children made a beeline for the bouncy castle when they arrived so took turns giving it a try. POD was already on it, now in a party frock, and unsurprisingly wasn’t in a hurry to get off! It wasn’t the ideal jumping attire but she was so happy and it was wonderful to see her dress fan as she bounced. The sunshine even made an appearance too, it was going to be a good afternoon.
Initially each of the children had around ten minutes bouncing around before leaving red faced in need of a refreshment break. It didn’t take long for them to get creative – not just jumping across the castle individually but in tandem with each other. POD and one of her chums also took it in turns for one to lie down while the other jumped – something they both found highly entertaining.
We had a few soft toys and dollies in the wizards den at one point, lined up along one edge of the castle. A pretend picnic then followed and POD did spent a time jumping with plastic broccoli. POD also mastered diving across the top of slide to launch herself onto the bounce area. Quite impressive given she was running from the other end of the garden! We saw a lot of bouncing on bottoms too.
Having devoured most of the BBQ food and litres of squash, mid afternoon saw the appearance of POD’s Frozen cake. Not a home-made one on this occasion but it too disappeared at lightning speed. Everyone wanted a piece of Olaf!
After the short break, the castle was top of the fun list again. POD’s electric hair a good indication of how much time she spent jumping up and down!
It was inevitable she’d crash and burn at some point and she did. She was finally off the bouncy castle at c.7pm after almost six hours of continual bouncing. It’s no surprise she went to sleep very quickly that evening for the first time in quite a while.
We were hugely impressed with the bouncy castle from Toyz World. So simple to inflate, sturdy and non-stop fun. Not only that it was just as easy to deflate and box away too. There are currently some amazing discounts to be had on BeBop bouncy castles, check out the Toyz World website to see what’s available.
Disclaimer: We were loaned the BeBop Wizards Den bouncy castle for the purpose of this review. Opinions are our own.
[…] week’s #whatsthestory post is all about her un-birthday party although it might be a little late up. POD’s birthday is on Christmas Day so we decided to […]
My bestie (she has four boys) has a bouncy castle and it comes out every summer and the younger ones love it. As a December Baby I wish I had un birthday parties each year!
What a nice idea – my daughter was born on Christmas Eve so I’m familiar with the ‘issues’ surrounding one time of years when they get everything instead of spread out!!
Such a lovely idea to have an un-birthday party in the summer and this looks like it went brilliantly. That castle looks fab – all kids love a good bounce, don’t they (and adults too!)
What a great idea to have an un birthday party!! It looks like such fun! We love bouncy castles 🙂
what gorgeous photos and a lovely idea to have an unbirthday party! Bouncy castles are always a hit! x
Bouncy castle parties are so much fun and from these beautiful photos your daughter and friends had a wonderful time. xx
Happy non birthday to POD I’m also a Christmas Day baby pm know how important it is to have a day to yourself Having a bouncy castle is such a good idea, and you were so lucky with the weather! You have some gorgeous photos of the day and I love that you see POD at the start and end of the day and just how more dishevelled she looks but clearly happy!
Glad you all had a fabulous time xx
Oh what a lovely day! Bouncy castles are always so much fun! I love POD’s dress too!
Bouncy castle are (in my experience) the most remembered parties, and the most fun! x
un birthdays are the best
I just adore that last picture x
That bouncy castle is just fantastic x
hahaha I totally get the last photo! Bouncing does take it out of you 🙂 I love PODs dress and I’m so glad she had such a lovely un-birthday. Me and my two friends have birthdays in November and December so we also have a joint un-birthday in June, it’s just nice to get together and celebrate at a completely different time of year.
It does look a lot of fun and it’s the perfect activity for an un-birthday party. Loving her dress.
The bouncy castle looks great and I adore POD’s dress – stunning
Oh gosh this looks so much fun! I would have adored it as a child. x
Bouncy castles are always such great fun. Looks like you all had a lovely time.