Do you have a little aviation fan? Perhaps a budding Richard Pearse or Jean Batten? Vintage and aviation is all a bit trendy at the moment and the Air Force Museum in Christchurch has fabulous party packages for you to celebrate your child’s birthday with ease and style.

Busy mums and dads, all you have to do it show up and let the staff at the Air Force Museum take care of everything! If however you would like to add a few of your own touches to the party there is flexibility to do this.

For one hour of activities with your own party host, followed by a fully catered party spread in the café including the party table set with party food, coloured table cloth, colouring in activity place mats, party hats, goodie bags and balloons the cost is $26 per child. There is a minimum of 8 children needed.

The party food combines lots of kids party favourites like mini pizzas with ham, pineapple and cheese, mini cheese and tomato sandwiches, cheese and grape skewers, fruit kebabs with marshmallows, aircraft cookies, spitfire jellies, mini ice-cream pottles and a selection of children’s juices, flavoured milk and water.

During the hour with the party hosts the children will get to do awesome things like dress up in flight suits, make ‘dog tags’ (name tags), learn how to salute and stand at attention, pretend flight and parachute jump out of an Andover aircraft, photo opportunity in front of a Bristol Freighter aircraft, pin the propeller on the plane game, pacific room experience and bombing raid simulation, grenade-throwing (water balloons) and scavenger hunt.

The activities are pitched to the age of the children and are for children aged four and over. There is also a ‘deluxe’ party option where children have the opportunity to make their own paper plane and test its aerodynamics. Visit the Air Force Museum website to see the specific activities for each age group. A new addition to this exciting list of party options is the newly developed preschool party for those 3-4 year olds.

If you would just like to come to the museum for the ‘party activity’ option the cost is $18 per child. This includes the one hour of activities with the party host. You can even order a themed ‘Spitfire’ cake when you book in for a party. If you would rather have your own cake it may suit you better to return home for cake and food, have a picnic in the Air Force Museum grounds or take the kids to a favourite café or restaurant. If you do wish to return home for food there are lots of fabulous ideas on my Aviation Pinterest Board.

Now that the important bits like entertaining and feeding the kids is taken care of what about the invitations, cake, decorations and goodie bags? The Air Force Museum has thought of everything! All of these party essentials is either included or available with your party package. What I love about having a party at the Air Force Museum is it suits all mum’s and dad’s. Those who want to turn up and have everything done and those you would like to add a few of their own touches to the party. You have the flexibility to add your own flair if you wish.

Invitations:

You can purchase specially-designed invitations from The Air Force Museum for both boys and girls for $5 per pack of 10. If you want to source your own there are loads of gorgeous invitations available on Etsy. I love the vintage inspired invitations from Sweetfaceink. These would suit the Air Force Museum so well.

Goodie Bags:

A party pack or ‘goodie bag’ for each child is included free in every birthday party. The packs contain: parachute men, kitset glider, balloon and colouring sheet. It isn’t necessary but if you wanted to add anything else to the ‘goodie bag’ you are welcome to do this. Love this bubble wand airplane idea for an aviation themed party favours. Full instructions here.

Cake:

You can purchase a ‘spitfire’ chocolate cake from the Air Force Museum for $50. These look delicious. They are a round 21 cm chocolate cake with the birthday child’s name written on.

If you have choosen the ‘fully catered’ party option you are welcome to bring your own cake. Here are a couple of cakes to inspire you.

Decorations:

The Air Force Museum Café will have your party table looking like a fabulous birthday celebration and all set up with balloons, party hats and a table cloth. Again it is unnecessary but if you would like to add anything extra you are welcome to.

I love this idea of a ‘Time Flies’ titled photo board from Catch my Party. A board like this could easily be taken along to the Air Force Museum and displayed by your table. lf you love a bit of DIY like me what about making some party hats like these from old vintage maps. Instructions here.

Photos:

Birthday parties and photos are a necessity. There will be so many amazing spots to get some great party photos around the Air Force Museum. You may even like to arrive early so you can get some shots of the birthday boy/girl before the party. During the activities and dress ups there will be some fabulous photo opportunities.

Now don’t just think this idea is great for boys. I love the thought of inspiring our girls with role models like Jean Batton. You could have a ‘Jean Batton’ inspired party for your growing girl. You could print a little information about our famous kiwi flying girl Jean Batton and pop it in the goodie bag for all the guests.

Party times are on Saturday and Sunday at 10.00am, 1.00pm and 2.15pm. The first hour is fully-hosted by Air Force Museum staff while they complete the ‘activities’ with the children. If you have choosen the ‘fully catered’ option the children are then seated in the café for the party food, cake and present opening time. This is sounding like a very cool party! Give the Air Force Museum Visitor Experience Team a call on (03) 343 9504 or Email: [email protected]. to enquire about or book a party.

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” Leonardo da Vinci