It started in February when I was brainstorming what to do for my daughter’s fifth birthday. I wanted something fun and engaging but I didn’t want to end up at the very loud and overstimulating go-tos like the Fun Zone. After googling and finding myself on the same websites, I decided to send Selena from Cravin’ Kingston an email asking if she throws kids’ birthday parties and was so happy to see a yes in her reply! Selena owns Cravin’ Kingston and you can catch her on Sunday’s at the Memorial Market selling meal packages to busy families. She caters and also does kids cooking classes! While she doesn’t advertise her kids’ birthday party packages, I am here to help spread the word because it was such a great experience.

Planning: Selena sent along a list of recipes to choose from for the kids to make and asked for a few details. My daughter chose the calzone and science experiment package so she followed up with a list of science experiments to choose from. After a few email exchanges and the down payment to hold the date, we were set for April at Portsmouth Harbour. There is an option to do the party at your own home but I preferred the venue option. And it turns out, Portsmouth Harbour is a perfect venue (and took me back to a memory from high school semi-formals haha!).

Party Day: When we arrive 30 minutes early on party day to set up a few Barbie decorations, the tables are set with colouring pages custom printed for my daughter’s special day with her name and the recipe for single serve pizza dough on the back. After a group trip to the bathroom to wash hands, Selena talked the kids through making and kneading their own dough, chopping their fillings, and stuffing their calzones seamlessly. While the calzones were in the oven, they talked about how baking involves science and made bubbles with baking soda and vinegar as well as a baking soda volcano. When the calzones were ready the kids actually ate them with a side of veggies (for those that couldn’t finish, she had to-go bags on hand!). They ended the class by decorating their choice of cupcake (chocolate or vanilla) and opening gifts. It was such a great day! Selena gifted the birthday girl a little bag of cake decorating accessories and a kids cutting tool.

If you’re a parent scrambling on what to do for your kid’s birthday, I recommend giving Cravin’ Kingston a try! Follow her at @cravinkingston