Hasta La Ideas

Facing statistics that over 80 percent of five year olds in England don’t get their five a day in terms of fruit and veg, and also that a third of children get less than the recommended amount of physical activity each week, the British Heart Foundation commissioned design studio hat-trick to design a kids party pack aimed at 4-8 year olds that would promote healthy fun for kids whilst communicating health messages to parents.

The BHF enlisted the services of recipe writer Lizzie Harris to create no less than 17 party food ideas with an animal theme – hence recipes for carrot cakes that look like rabbits, sandwiches styled as chickens and a Lion made out of tortilla chips. Writer Nick Asbury created playful names such as Bunny Buns, the Cluck Cluck Club sandwich, and Safari Snacks. Photographer John Ross then shot the food on paper plates complete with the odd crumb or food splat, helping to make everything look homemade and, ultimately, achievable.

The animal theme extends to a selection of 15 party activities including a good ol’ Dinosaur Egg and Spoon race and a balloon stomping game called Pop Goes The Weasel. All the games are illustrated by Rebecca Sutherland using cut paper, with the game instructions carefully worded for maximum fun by Asbury.

Hat-trick also designed items in the party pack such as stickers (32 sheets per pack)…

…which look rather splendid on pieces of fruit or on balloons:

Each pack contains 20 placemats:

And even 20 party invitations:

“We did some research into existing [kids party] packs on the market and were surprised to find there were hardly any,” says hat-trick’s Alex Swatridge. “At the momet, partents have to buy almost every element separately, which costs a lot in time and money. Bringing all the party items together made sense. But using separate recipe and games cards also means parents and children can mix and match their favourite elements.”

To find out more and to get hold of a party pack (£6.99), visit bhf.org.uk/partypacks

Credits:
Design: hat-trick
Writing: Nick Asbury
Recipes: Lizzie Harris
Illustrations: Rebecca Sutherland
Photography: John Ross