The cocktail reception took place in an area inspired by urban parks and playgrounds, replete with lampposts and indoor greenery. Tables were decked with miniature Chihuly-inspired flower arrangements, tucked into beds of wheat grass. J&L Catering's appetizer menu included salmon in sesame-tuile cones, warm cheddar puffs with mango chutney, and miniature phyllo purses with brie and raspberry preserves.
Photo: Scott Smith
Hopscotch outlines on the floor added to the playground vibe.
Photo: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images for UNICEF
Designers used oversize cardboard boxes to form "graffiti walls" inspired by skate parks. Performers from the Actors Gymnasium entertained guest with circus-style acts.
Photo: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images for UNICEF
Both silent (pictured) and live auctions contributed to the evening's overall take of $1.2 million. Auction packages include a four-night trip for two to Paris Fashion Week, passes to the 2017 or 2018 Masters Golf Tournament, and a yachting holiday around the Mediterranean.
Photo: Scott Smith
After cocktails, the 600 guests headed to a dining room filled with a combination of illuminated rectangular tables, square tables without linens, and round tables with linens. Decor including suspended Slinkys, glowing orbs, and oversize paper daisies was intended to make guests feel "dwarfed," or child-size themselves. To underscore the evening's message, chair caps were decked with children's faces.
Photo: Scott Smith
The evening's program featured a performance from singer Vanessa Williams. Her set included the songs "Colors of the Wind" and "Save the Best for Last." The backdrop featured an "Imagine" sign tucked into a collage of umbrellas and kites.
Photo: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images for UNICEF
After dinner, guests hit the dance floor under the canopy of neon Slinkies as the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra played. After-party snacks from J&L included crispy chicken sliders, warm raspberry-brie croissants, assorted miniature sweets, crinkle-cut French fries, and miniature Chicago-style hot dogs served from a cart.
Photo: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images for UNICEF
The Julius Jr. toy line launched in June in Los Angeles with an afternoon party filled with fun, customized activities including a D.I.Y. craft area, a cupcake-decorating station with Sweet E's and Dylan's Candy Bar, a photo booth, a kids’ DJ, and a play area featuring new Fisher-Price toys. Melissa Rycroft, Kyle Richards, James Van Der Beek, and Samantha Harris were among the celebs who attended with their children.
Photo: Getty Images for Saban Brands
The Cracker Jack brand hosted an event last month in New York's Herald Square to kick off its "Surprise Inside Project.” The event featured two larger-than-life Cracker Jack boxes, one standing 15 feet tall and a second filled with oversize popcorn kernels and small surprises for kids to discover.
Photo: Diane Bondareff/Invision for Cracker Jack/AP Images
At last year’s debut Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County Imagination Ball in Miami, the table centerpieces anticipated any potential boredom from underage guests: Doing triple duty as decor, desserts, and entertainment, the tabletop arrangements included not only sweets but also crayons and markers. The event also offered amusement park mascots and a table where guests could play games on iPads.
Photo: Justin Namon
Mattel celebrated the 55th anniversary of Barbie as well as the release of the doll's 28th DVD, Barbie: The Pearl Princess, with an event series filled with fun details for fans of all ages. The toy brand partnered with blogger and stylist Kim Stoegbauer of TomKat to stage two colorful on-theme parties for Stoegbauer's own daughter and friends, meant inspire families to host their own Barbie parties at home. The birthday party featured a fashion show that encouraged young attendees to get decked out along with their dolls.
Photo: Courtesy of Mattel
In 2012, Mott’s Fruitsations hosted a group of 40 mom bloggers, reporters, and their children for a family-friendly party at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Among the games for the little ones was a size-appropriate beanbag toss.
Photo: JJ Thompson/Media Needs Photography
At the 2009 Little Sweetheart Ball event in Toronto, 200 children under the age of 7 were among the 400 guests. To keep them happy, milk and cookies made for a classic, crowd-pleasing snack.
Photo: BizBash
John Varvatos annually hosts a kid-friendly benefit for Stuart House in Los Angeles. At the event in 2007, activities for children included story time with celebrity readers Angie Harmon and Melina Kanakaredes and magic performances by Justin Kredible. Balloon animals from Wild About Balloons made for decidedly low-tech but popular giveaways.
Photo: John Scuilli/WireImage
Easter Seals of Southern Nevada's third annual Walk With Me fund-raiser in 2011 featured kid-friendly activities like a classic bounce house.
Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage/DeniseTruscello.net
Close to 300 employees of Sg2 Health Care Intelligence celebrated the holidays with their families at a Chicago party in 2008. There, kids stayed entertained with crafts like pinecone and cookie decorating.
Photo: Joey Silberhorn
To educate guests of all ages about the Toyota Prius V, the carmaker’s "Creation Station" tour visited the Bass Pro Shops in Orlando in 2011, bringing many lively activities meant to help people understand the brand. Among them was a game patterned after the famous Plinko board on The Price Is Right, awarding prizes depending on where the chip landed.
Photo: BizBash
Relativity Media’s 2012 premiere for Mirror Mirror in Los Angeles invited guests of all ages for the screening and after-party, where costumed characters interacted with the younger set—and provided for fun photo ops.
Photo: Todd Williamson/Getty Images for Relativity Media
Chicago's Joffrey Ballet hosted its annual Nutcracker Family Dinner last year, welcoming ballet fans of all ages. The Allegro Dance Boutique provided ballet slippers for kids to decorate at the "Candy Cane Creativity Station,” using objects like stick-on stars, pom-poms, ribbons, and feathers.
Photo: Robert Carl
In 2010, the Dumbo Arts Festival changed its format and debuted a new slate of family-minded activities and entertainment. To encourage the participation of all-ages guests, the festival programming included a painting station where folks could express themselves freely.
Photo: Anna Sekula/BizBash
Atlas Party Rental Kiddie Chair
The Kiddie Chair from Atlas Party Rental, at $1.25 each, is available in South Florida from Atlas Party Rental.
Photo: Mike Zimmerman
Atlas Party Rental Kiddie Table
Also from Atlas Party Rental is the Kiddie Table, $15 each, available in an apple green color. It is 33 1/2 inches around and 18 3/4 inches high.
Photo: Courtesy of Atlas Party Rental
Taylor Creative Panton Junior Chairs
A child-size version of the regular line, Panton Junior chairs from Taylor Creative, $15 each, come in a variety of colors.
Photo: Laurie Lambrecht
Taylor Creative Gehry Color Cubes
Available in several colors are Taylor Creative's Gehry Color Cubes, $75 each.
Photo: Courtesy of Taylor Creative
Taylor Creative Puzzle Block
The Puzzle Block from Taylor Creative, $20 per piece, can be used to create an illuminated backdrop for a children's section of larger events.
Photo: Laurie Lambrecht
Cort Event Furnishings Blofield Loveseat
The loveseat from Cort Event Furnishings' Blofield line is an air-filled seating option suitable for indoor and outdoor events. Prices available upon request.
Photo: Courtesy of Cort Event Furnishings
Cort Event Furnishings Blofield Donut
Another piece in the Blofield line from Cort Event Furnishings, the Donut is an alternative to a picnic table. The low seating is particularly suited for children. Prices available upon request.
Photo: Courtesy of Cort Event Furnishings
Cort Event Furnishings Vibe Cube
The vinyl cubes from Cort Event Furnishings come in several colors and are lightweight enough for kids to move on their own. Prices available upon request.
Photo: 501 Studios
Ronen Rental Boutique Event Furnishings Flattered Table
The new Flattered table, $90 to rent from Ronen Rental Boutique Event Furnishings, is made in Miami but can be flat-packed to ship throughout the United States. The 20-inch-wide tabletop can be printed with logos, games such as tic-tac-toe, or kid-friendly art such as clouds or ice cream.
Photo: Courtesy of Ronen Rental Boutique Event Furnishings
The team's mascot, Clark the Cub, was on hand to chat with and entertain young conference attendees.
Photo: Steve Green
Throughout the weekend, kids had the opportunity to meet new Cubs players, including pitcher Jon Lester.
Photo: Steve Green
During the "Kids Only Press Conference" on Saturday, kids could ask questions of Cubs players Anthony Rizzo, Justin Grimm, Kyle Hendricks, and Travis Wood.
Photo: Steve Green
The event had plenty of games for families including "Cubs Family Feud" presented by MasterCard and "Cubs Bingo" presented by Budweiser. There was also an area plied with beanbag chairs and baseball-theme video games.
Photo: Steve Green
Bite-size cherry and apple pies with latticework crusts, served on lollipop sticks, by Santa Barbara Catering in Tempe, Arizona
Photo: Patrick Darby
Sushi rice “soldiers” made with fresh salmon and tuna sashimi and garnished with edamame, by DNA Events Inc. in Los Angeles
Photo: Courtesy of DNA Events
Easy-to-eat mini spaghetti nests, topped with a micro meatball and marinara and sprinkled with Parmesan, by Elegant Affairs in New York
Photo: Jan Van Pak Photography
Miniature loaded baked potatoes, topped with broccoli and cheddar, and sour cream, chive, and bacon, by Occasions Caters in Washington, D.C.
Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com for BizBash
Miniature beef burgers, topped with melted cheddar cheese, dill pickles, and butter lettuce, on petite sesame-seed brioche buns, by L-Eat Catering in Toronto
Photo: Emma McIntyre for BizBash
Mini grilled cheese sandwiches, paired with creamy tomato bisque, by Puff ’n Stuff in Orlando
Photo: Kayla Hernandez for BizBash
Organic pumpkin cheesecake cut into bite-size rounds, topped with crumbled Oreos and a dollop of whipped cream, by DNA Events Inc. in Austin, Texas
Photo: Courtesy of DNA Events
House-made bite-size waffles with a crispy fried chicken drumette and creamy chicken-chive gravy, by Occasions Caters in Washington, D.C.
Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com for BizBash
Battered Pacific halibut with tartar dipping sauce and Yukon gold fries, by L-Eat Catering in Toronto
Photo: Emma McIntyre for BizBash
Kobe beef franks wrapped in a cheddar puff pastry, served on lollipop sticks, and paired with honey-mustard sauce and ketchup, by Elegant Affairs in New York
Photo: Jan Van Pak Photography
Bites of fruit, served with green apple Kool-Aid-filled pipettes, by Puff ’n Stuff in Orlando
Photo: Kayla Hernandez for BizBash
Mini grilled cheese sandwiches with an array of additions, including broccoli, ham, and cherry tomatoes, by L-Eat Catering in Toronto
Photo: Emma McIntyre for BizBash
Tables were set up on the stage at the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center. The concept for the event was to present the performing arts center in a novel way for children.
Photo: Justin Namon
Centerpieces included sweet treats as well as crayons and markers that offered immediate entertainment.
Photo: Justin Namon
Energizing music was part of America’s Got Talent finalist David Garibaldi and his CMYK dancers' performance. The event had a "paint brush" theme and used lots of bright colors.
Photo: Rodrigo Gaya for World Red Eye
Garibaldi created five portraits of familiar icons as part of the entertainment. He intended to auction two of the pieces to families, but because of their popularity, he auctioned four of them. The highest bid for one of the pieces was $15,000.
Photo: Manny Hernandez
Kids danced down a Soul Train-like aisle as part of a dance party hosted by DJ Uptown Dale.
Photo: Justin Namon
Gift bags held goodies such as stuffed animals, educational games, discount coupons to local attractions, and Kind bars. A "mommy bag" from Neiman Marcus had a tote, makeup, perfume, lotion, and other treats.
Photo: Justin Namon
At the Janie and Jack event, families were welcome to pick up wardrobe pieces for their kids from a pop-up shop topped with a striped awning and decked with bowls of lemons. The wooden structure had prim details such as moulding trim and integrated signage.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraksPhoto
In keeping with the moulding-trimmed look of the pop-up shop, a press wall appeared more like a piece of furniture than a temporary photo backdrop. Decorated with lemons for an eye-catching yellow look, the wall also featured logo signage in the brand's signature blue color, as well as white florals and trailing greenery.
Photo: Alesandra Dubin/BizBash
Lemon yellow was not just the color palette: the citrus fruit served as pops of color in bowls and other vessels throughout the event's decor.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraksPhoto
Guests could pick up floral crowns that kept with the tidy yellow and white look of the party's decor.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraksPhoto
Kids could sit for watercolor paintings—an elegant spin on other styles of event portraiture—at an artist station at the event.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraksPhoto
On the sweltering event day, guests made use of a turf-covered, lawn-like area for water activities. Large spherical balloons surrounded the area, where parents could watch kids play from yellow and white Adirondack chairs.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraksPhoto
Toy sailboats—in the event's signature colors of yellow and white—bobbed in wading pools for fun and heat relief.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraksPhoto
Kid-friendly catering included passed options such as mini corndogs with mustard. But it also included healthy and attractive dishes that appealed to adults as well, such as fresh fruit salad that also made for a colorful presentation.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraksPhoto
A tassel banner framed the entrance to the rooftop party space, an understated decor element with an air of whimsy.
Photo: Alesandra Dubin/BizBash
Gift bags tied with yellow and white striped ribbon included a rolled beach towel for use during the event's water activities.
Photo: Michael Simon/StarTraksPhoto
