In the Night Garden Party Supplies, Decorations and Ideas

We suspect that In the Night Garden will reach the same cult status as the Magic Roundabout did thirty years ago. It's hard to believe it's only been around since March 2007, but since then we've all grown fond of Iggle Piggle and his (?) friends.

If you're really going for the full-on Night Garden Party effect you may want to improvise cut-outs of your favourite characters. A few Tittifers on the wall seem to work well. You probably know the regulars already, but of course there's:

• Iggle Piggle, the star of the show
• Upsy Daisy, the girl with the hair with a life of its own
• Makka Pakka, the little beige character who cuddles stones - borderline obsessive?
• The three Tombliboos - Umm, Eee and Ooo
• The Pontipine and Wattinger families (give yourself bonus points if you knew the name of the Wattingers)
• The Hahoos - enormous floating balloons which may be a little sinister
• The Tittifer birds who sing everyone to sleep
• The Ninky Nonk train and the Pinky Ponk airship, both of which are apparently sentient beings

So what do you do for an In The Night Garden party? It's a lovely theme - young children will obviously recognise the characters. It's probably best not to try to dress up as Upsy Daisy - that could be a bit scary. But if you can find a big Upsy Daisy doll to pass around, you'll find it immensely popular.

The best thing to do is for Mums and children to sit in a circle and sing the characters songs together. All together now:  Yes - my name is Igglepiggle...