It took me a while to allow my nail polish and lipstick obsessed turning 10 year old to have a pamper party, but once I relaxed about it and let it happen, I had no regrets. She had an absolute ball, thanks to Pamper Girlz – an extremely reasonably priced ( R85 per child) and professional little outfit.

On the day in question they arrived early to prepare, fully equipped with foot baths, lip gloss, nail polish, hair spray, gift bags and the works.

First up was the crowning of the princess for the day.

Then the treatment began with a soothing foot spa, followed by a  massage /scrub

and a gentle facial.

Then it was time to choose colours for nail polish and lip gloss.

A manicure then a pedicure  on the red couch …

some make up

some hair colour

and finally each party girl got to take home a beauty organza goodie bag filled with nail polish, lip gloss & hair goodies.

You spoilt them rotten Pamper Girlz. Thank you for a memorable day!

MORE XMAS CAROLS AND MARKETS

Jacaranda FM Carols by Candlelight, Supersport Park, Centurion, Dec 6;
Montecasino Piazza, Fourways, Dec 8

In Pretoria
Carols by Candlelight Concert, Pretoria Botanical Gardens Brumeria, Dec  10
Visitors will be treated to the sounds of Irish Pipes and Drums, followed by an inspiring performance by the Mzansi Youth Choir. Kids are in for an extra-special treat, as Santa Claus will be there to greet them. From 6pm, tickets R50, kids under 13yrs free

Midrand
Carols by Candlelight Lipizzaner, Kyalami, Dec 7-8, 14-15, 17-18, 20-23.
The magnificent white stallions will be dancing and the Welsh Male Voice Choir of South Africa will be singing! Nativity Scene and of course, Father Christmas will be there.  Light snacks and cash bar available from 6pm

East Rand
East Rand Mall Carols by Candlelight, Boksburg North, Dec 7
Carols by Candle light. Magical evening by Nadine. Bring something special for Balela Charity orphanage, Dec 7
Nando’s & Crafters Market will host Play Station games, fooze ball tables, jumping castle and a toy horse riding ring and competitions, Dec 10-22.Photos with Santa & Gift Wrapping Kiosk, Dec 1-24. Extended Shopping Hours, Dec 9-24

Johannesburg
Xmas with Richard Cocks Choir & Orchestra, Linder Auditorium, Parktown, Dec 10-11
A classical Christmas Concert of well known carols performed by the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg
and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra conducted by Richard Cock. Audience participation in singing some of the most popular Christmas Carols, from 7.30pm.

ACOSA Soweto Youth Orchestra Carols & African pieces, Parkmore, Dec 4-18.
ACOSA Soweto Youth Orchestra will be playing Christmas Carols and joyful African pieces;
Holy Cross Church, Orlando: Christmas Carols, Dec 10
Meadowlands Methodist Church: Christmas Carols, Dec 11
Benmore Shopping Mall, Dec 17

Every week we visit the party pages on Jozikids and find great party ideas, this week we want to tell you about scuba diving and swimming pool parties

SCUBA DIVING  & SWIMMING PARTIES

Urban Dive Centre in Cresta, Jhb
specialises in Scuba Diving Birthday Parties. Their Scuba Instructors and Facilitators introduce your kids and their friends to the under water world of Scuba Diving.  They can dive & explore a shipwreck & discover a treasure chest

Swim Atlantis Aqua Centre
In Midrand has a heated pool for swimming lessons & party venue for pool parties.

Pines Resort
In Krugersdorp is a Family Resort w/ water slides, pools, jungle gym, picnic & braai areas. They don’t call themselves a party venue but you are welcome to come with a party and enjoy the day.

You’ll find these and a whole lot more fantastic party ideas on Jozikids on your computer or your cell phone.

My son turned 14 this month and wanted a ( sure you’ll never guess) dreaded “disco party”of course. So of course I went in search of something appropriate on the party themes section of Jozikids and  found Candice from Superstar Disco Parties. Her offer was perfect. She promised a party which combines supervised party games, music, singing, dancing with her as DJ and MC and we weren’t disappointed.

First she created these fabulous customised invitations for Marvin which he folded into small scrolls and handed out to his friends creating a buzz a few weeks before the event.

Candice arrived on party day loaded with speakers, sound
equipment and the works which the boys helped her set up.
Then the dancing and games began with the girls and boys
competing, singing, moving and grooving.

The birthday boy was then given a lesson on how to be a
DJ and loads of fun was had by all.

By the time the parents arrived to fetch their offspring there was
no doubt that  everyone was ready for bed.  Thank you Candice for
helping to create a memorable night for my son’s 14th birthday.

XMAS CAROLS AND MARKETS

Jacaranda FM Carols by Candlelight, Supersport Park, Centurion, Dec 6;
Montecasino Piazza, Fourways, Dec 8

In Pretoria
Pretoria Botanical Garden Green Xmas Night Market, Dec 3, from 4-9pm,
Pack a picnic blanket, bring your family and friends and come celebrate Christmas with us. Learn how to “Green” your X-mas in 2011. Live music, fresh food and drinks available, free pilates class, nature inspired and eco-friendly gifts

The Black Tie Ensemble A Xmas Concert, at ZK Matthews Hall Unisa, Pretoria, Dec 4 at 3pm, cost starts at R45 per ticket up to R110
The Concert will include much loved traditional carols & songs such as: Joy to the World The Twelve Days of Christmas Battle Hymn of the Republic, When a child is born Somer Kersfees O Holy Night The Holy City (Jerusalem), to name but a few. Come and experience the stirring melodies of the Festive Season, Dec 4

On West Rand
W.S. Botanical Gardens Moonlight Carols, Roodepoort, Dec 3, 6-9pm gates open 4pm
Come and join us as we sing the Christmas carols in glamorous fashion with the Mzansi Choir and Band, and march to the tune of the SA Irish Pipes & Drum to welcome the arrival of Santa Claus. The Botanical Society will sell candles and hand out song sheets. Light the candles and serenade the arrival of the Festive Season on a positive note. Bring camp chairs, picnic blankets and picnic baskets and enjoy the evening

On the East Rand
Lakeside Mall Carols by Candle Light, East Rand, Dec 3, 6 for 6.30 pm. Entrance is free
Xmas carolds to be  sung by Brendon White, Adrian Galliard and the Sweet Voice Vocal Ensemble to a spectacular Laser Light Show. lanterns will be let off into the sky as we make our Christmas wishes.Enter through entrance 1,

In Johannesburg
Dibuka and Alliance Française Xmas Flea Market on Dec 3, from 9am and its free

Dibuka and the Alliance Francaise invite you to the Christmas Flea market! Books, vintage clothes, artcraft, bric a brac,food, music and sales for the World Aids day. Story telling in English, Zulu and French

SPORTS PARTIES

Little Kickers SA
Organises soccer parties for little ones from 18 mnths to 8 yrs.The young party goers are  divided into teams, who play goal scoring games, there are obstacle courses and other ball games while the parents relax. The older ones play a game and the younger ones take part in a competition  In the end each kid gets a medal and certificate and the birthday boy gets a trophy. They have branches throughout the region on the East Rand, Centurion, Joburg, Midrand and the West Rand.

Archers of ZooLake
They will teach the group the basics, then organise a fun competition and play various types of archery games. Age: from 14 years onwards. Size: 10-15 people maximum, great for kids, corporates and team building exercises.

Action Sports Midrand & SandtonCricket, soccer, netball, volleyball and hockey parties in Midrand, Randburg and Sandton from 5yrs up to any age.  Play  supervised games with an official coach  and the parents can relax. For 16 kids.

You’ll find these and a whole lot more fantastic party ideas on www.jozikids.co.za on your computer or your cell phone.

Lets start with some party ideas. Every week we visit the party pages on Jozikids and find great party ideas, this week we want to tell you about companies that  come to your home with either a  science or a  creepy crawly party.

Creepy Crawly and Science show’s

A company called Creepy Crawly offers parties introduce children  to the fascinating world of insects and arachnids. They  bring live scorpions, Madagascan hissing cockroaches, various spiders, and the snake as a final surprise.  They’ll tell you amazing facts about these little creatures. Did you know that hunting spiders taste with their feet! The show is aimed at kids from 4 – 12 years old but parents are always just as enthralled.

They also do science parties with a science show where they make a fire volcano, turn sugar into carbon and rockets. Then the children get to do 3 experiments of there own.

Experilab

Another company called Experilab organizes Xplosive and Xciting  science parties! It’s slimy, it’s noisy, it’s super cool!  1½ hrs of explosive fun for 6 yrs and up.  The kids can make slime, fly rockets, launch balloons, build a steam car, make a motion detector…They also come to you

PARENTING EXPO IN JOBURG

At the Coca Cola Dome there’s the The Baby Expo MamaMagic Summer Show, starting on Thursday and running through until Nov 27You’ll find all the essentials you need from 0-6 years old. Over 400 amazing brands, expert advice, great entertainment and unbeatableshopping,  There’ll also be a panel of experts to review the latest toys on offer this Xmas at Top toy Favouriites from Nov 24-26

TopToy Favourites: a panel of experts to reviews the latest toys on offer this Christmas, 9-11.30 am Nov 24-26

XMAS CAROLS AND MARKETS

On Friday 25th
In Pretoria
Xmas Carol Picnic with Joe Niemand at Irene Village Mall from 6-8pm

In Midrand
Xmas Carols Market at Midrand Urban Market in Crowthorne,
where there’ll be Carols by Candlight and a market by moonlight. Take your picnic blankets and join in the carols and get all your Christmas shopping done too! Father Christmas, will make a special appearance

In Joburg:
George Hay Park Parkview
With over 70 stands to visit and diverse entertainment, from jumping castles, a climbing wall , an ice-rink, to Father Christmas making his arrival by flying in on a motorbike trapeze-style, bringing with him a very special passenger, the Christmas Angel, who will deliver a message of hope, peace and joy, Opens on Friday 25th at 3pm and ends on Sunday at 4pm

On Saturday 27th Johannesburg Zoo will turn on their Xmas tree of lights and bring your picnic blankets, baskets and families to hear the see the lights, hear and sing Carols . You’ll be able to buy your own globe and send your own message of love and memory for R50. This event has been organized in aid of Hospice Wits which will also be holding a Xmas Market on the Friday November 26 in Orange Grove

Its hard to believe that school holidays are less than a month away. Help!! I hear you say..  Well Jozikids has a fabulous, growing list of holiday sleepover camps and daily holiday programs on our special holiday page.

This week we want to give you a sampling of the range of sleepover camps on offer. If any of them interest you – they’re filling up fast – you need to get moving.

There are pony camps galore starting in the first and 2nd week of December ranging in length from
3 days Chartwell Stables (3 dys) pony camp in Fourways.
5 days Shepherd’s Fold (3 dys & 5 dys) pony camp in Elandsdrift, 15 minutes from Honeydew in Joburg
7 days BBK Trails (7 dys) pony camps in  Mpumalanga,

Then  a camps that focus more on nature and the environment  is Bushtrail Holiday Camps (7 dys) in the Magaliesberg

A beach holiday can be had with  Sugar Bay (7 dys) Zinkwazi Beach in KZN

You can also send your child to catch fish at a 3 day Kidz Fishing (3 dys) camp on the Vaal River

And a camp that seems to have been around forever which many of you  who grew up in this part of the world may remember is Happy Acres Holiday Camp (7 dys) in the Magaliesberg

Survivor and Action Parties

Every week we visit the party pages on Jozikids and find great party ideas for you. This week we found 2 action parties great for kids from about

Andy’s Action Parties
They’ll come to you anywhere in Gauteng and have a range of action parties on offer including -  Survivor , Army , Paintball , Space Explorers, The Amazing Race.

Survive or Race The Adventure
1. The Survive Party with survivor challenges, immunity and tribal counsel, 2.5hours . Challenges include life-size obstacle course, create war-cries, tribal face paint, mind games and more.
2. The Race Party, 2.5hours.  You and your partner race against other teams where you are confronted by detours, roadblocks, fast forwards, yields, intersections and u-turns- who will be the ultimate winner?

You’ll find these and a whole lot more fantastic party ideas on Jozikids on your computer or your cell phone.

Kids baking and cooking parties

There’s a company called Dipped & Dusted that offers  parties, where your kids can have fun making chocolate goodies. Kids are given bowls of melted chocolate in 5 delicious colours – white, dark, milk, blue and pink.. They get dipping forks to dunk more – biscuits, jelly babies, marshmallows, into the chocolate. They will also be provided with a chocolate ‘mud pie’ to mould and ‘squish’ into shapes to be dipped into chocolate and decorated with various yummy toppings! Sounds like a fun decadent afternoon for those kiddies. They also do corporate and team building events.

A-Z Creative Entertainment does fabulous pizza parties. They come with this incredible original clay pizza oven which they plonk in your garden plus freshly made dough, sauce and toppings. Each child is decked out in an apron, given a rolling pin and off they go.  Each child is given their ow pizza box out of which they eat their own creations.

Little Cooks Club which has franchises across Gauteng in Centurion, Joburg  and Pretoria also offers cooking parties where the children sometimes even make a 3 course meal

You’ll find these and a whole lot more fantastic party ideas on Jozikids

Family shows opening this week

In Pretoria starting on Thursday for a 4 day run :
Cinderella Ballet SA State Theatre, Pretoria, Nov 10-13.

On the East Rand
Three Little Pigs Barnyard Theatre, Boksburg, In this adaption of the original fairytale  the 3 pigs learn to work as a team to overcome Biker Betty a beautiful wolf who wants their skins the make herself a new leather jacket.  the wolf.  In the process the pigs learn about dealing with peer pressure, bullying & internet safety.  That’s on Saturday 12th at 11 am.

In Johannesburg we have
Beauty & the Beast at Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein, starting on Nov 12 and running right through until Xmas, Dec 24.
plus
Freshlyground 10th Birthday Tour, Barnyard Theatre, Cresta, Nov 14.

Toy Shopping

Creative parenting expert and author Nikki Bush is running a workshop called ­­­­­Toy Talk 2011 in Bryanston Nov 9, 14 &16. It’s a 3 hour workshop where you’ll find out what’s hot in toys and games this year. Your chance to see touch and feel before you buy.

This week we have  great pamper and disco parties to tell you about.

Girl Power Partys will come to the venue of your choice to create what they call a Pamper station for 4 to 14 yr olds. They will Pamper the little ladies with chocolate facemasks and cucumber slices, mini manicures, nail painting and makeup, Once they are relaxed and looking beautiful, they can select items from the dress up box and sing and dance to their favorite songs (microphone and music provided).  They operate in Pretoria, Edenvale and Joburg North

SuperStars Disco PartiesThis is a new and exciting way to entertain older kids from the age of 8 to the early teens. This market (the Tweens) is often very hard to cater for as these youngsters feel a bit too grown up for clowns and magicians but not old enough to have disco parties. What better way to give the Tweens what they want by combining party games, music, singing,dancing and their very own
Activities include…
* Getting Blinged Out for a SuperStar Fashion Show
* Kool Karaoke
* Dance Contests/Dancing Games/Specialized Dances
* Musical Statues and other traditional party games
* Disney Channel favourites like Hannah Montana and High School Musical songs both for the disco and the karaoke! This company services  all areas in Gauteng

Family events this week
Beautiful Creatures Montecasino, Fourways, on until Nov 6,– a live performance by our very own musicans, Ed Jordan and Alan Glas with their own brand of South African jazzy kiddies music.  They ‘ll be  singing about creatures – such as,  Imvubu the Hippo, Mafutha the elephant and Georgina the Gentlest Giraffe. A fabulous show for the whole family that will have you humming all the way home and probably to the CD. Tickets cost R75 a show

Acclaimed musical director Janice Honeyman brings Cinderella to life in an another elaborate  pantomime at Joburg Theatre, on until Dec 30th.

At the Pretoria State theatre there’s the South African Ballet Theatres production of  The Sleeping Beauty (SABT) on until Dec 18th. Tickets range from R55-R250.

A fascinating  5  week course for parents in Centurion about teaching babies and toddlers Sign language run by Kindermusik teacher, Desiree Biggill

Thats it from us for this week. We’ll be back next week with more great party ideas and events for the weeks ahead.

PARTY IDEAS

Party ideas for this week, in line with our Halloween theme we want to tell you about some Fear Factor and Fantasy parties

Fear Factor Parties

are not for the faint hearted. Quite a few party planners do them. We found one called Firefly Kidz Crew
that will come to your venue anywhere in Gauteng. Some of the challenges your child will face are:
-digging eyeballs out of a bowl of slime,
-taking marbles out of an ice bath with your toes
and using their mouth to transfer dirt worms from a dirty to a clean place.

Fantasy Parties

Goblins Cove Fantasy Restaurant in Hekpoort on the West Rand is filled with goblin statues, situated in a forest with birds and  a big playground. They organize fairy and goblin theme parties for younger kids and teenage children can spend the night in a 1929 Goblin’s express train coach.

HALLOWEEN EVENTS

Love it or hate it,  Halloween is here to stay. Schools, neighbourhoods and kiddie venues organise dress up competitions, trick n treating or craft activities. So, what do we have to tell you about.

Johannesburg
On Sunday Serendipity in Rosebank will be handing out prizes for the best dressed boy, girl, mum and dad.  There’ll be  a magic show, balloon modeling and trick or treating.  That’s Sunday from  8.30-11.30am or 11.30am-3pm, R70 per person, booking is essential

Then on Monday  October 31st Brightwater Commons will be hosting a Halloween party from 4-9pm.  There’ll also be jumping castles, water balls, bungee trampolines, a magic show and more

East Rand
They start celebrating a bit earlier, on Friday October 28th, Tissenati Animal Farm in  Benoni is  also offering prizes for the best dressed. They want your pumpkin art for pumpkin prizes, will play games and have a bonfire.   From 6pm to late, R10 each, Trick or Treat walk leaves at 7pm,  booking essential

Pretoria
Boo @ the Zoo Halloween weekend, Oct 29-30. From 8.30am-5.30pm. You’ll find a ghost house, ghoulish story-telling, a pumpkin decorating contest and a host of other family activities. Come dressed to win the best dressed prize!

This week I have 4 events and 4 great party ideas for you. Lets start with something that’s on this weekend and next.

You can take your family:
Mulberry Picking at Trees Eco Fun Park, in Benoni.  Bring the kids ,a container and be sure to wear old clothes as Its a bit messy!  Entry fee includes the best tips to remove mulberry stains from clothes and kids!  Open from 10 am – 5pm, R25pp.  That’s today through until next Sunday.

Then there are 2  ballet performances that open this week In Joburg and Pretroria.
In Joburg at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City you can see the ballet, Don Quixote until  October 23. The production features leading South African and Cuban ballet dancers.

Then there’s

Stars of the Ballet Moscow at the State Theatre, in Pretoria, which opens on Oct 21st and runs until the 23rd. The Show consists of a troupe of 10 dancers selected from different Moscow theatres. The artists are considered to be among the world’s finest classical dancers.

And then for something a little different,

You can go on what’s called a nocturnal walk at Kloofendal Nature Reserve in Roodepoort in search of Spiders& Scorpions . You’ll be given UV torches to show up the scorpions in green. That’s taking place on Friday  Oct 21st in the evening at 6.30 pm.

Since the party season is around the corner over the next few weeks we want to share some great ideas with you for kids, teen and adult  parties.

This week our focus is car or circus parties

CAR PARTIES
Kids Traffic Land  Balfour Park Is a new venue in Highlands North  at Balfour Park Shopping Centre which has been turned into a mini city with roads, traffic lights and tunnels, and motorized little cars. it’s a great party venue and day outing for 4-7yr olds

Fun Prix Race PartiesThis is a mobile party that comes to your venue with tracks and remote cars for the party goers to race each other.  Great for slightly older kids say from 6-12yrs.

CIRCUS PARTIES

Boswell Wilkie Circus PartiesTake place In the big top in Randvaal, in the Vaal Triangle. The children get dressed up as clowns, acrobats you name it and become part of the circus for a few hours.

Green Lizard EntertainmentI offers a mobile circus school that comes to you with silts, tightropes, unicycle,s balls and transforms your venue into a circus school. They travel to  Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Remember you can find more ideas of what to do with your family in the Gauteng region on www.Jozikids.co.za on your computer or your cell phone.