From My Brain to Your Backyard. How the Bundabubs DIY Potions and Painting Party Kit Came to Life
- Gabrielle Wood
- May 28
- 7 min read
Okay so I have to tell you about this because I am genuinely so excited and I need to talk about it with someone who will understand why this is such a big deal.
Let me take you back to where it all started.
Bundabubs has always been about bringing creativity to kids in a way that feels magical and accessible and just a little bit messy. I've been running painting parties and art play sessions for a while now and I absolutely love it. But here's the thing about running everything yourself, you can only be in one place at a time. And your schedule is your schedule. Which means when someone asks you to do a party on a day you're already booked, you have to say no. And I really, really don't like saying no.
But that's exactly what happened. Someone asked me to run a Potions and Painting party and I couldn't do it. I was fully booked. And I was genuinely gutted about it because I knew how good it would be and I wanted them to have that experience.
I remember thinking what if I just explained to them how to do it themselves? What if I wrote it all down, got everything together, and gave them everything they needed? What if they didn't actually need me there at all?
That was the moment I had the DIY party idea. The idea that someone could collect all the supplies from me, take them home, and run the most incredible party in their own backyard on a date that suited them, not a date that suited my calendar was something I had never thought of before. The freedom in that, for them and for me, felt like something worth building. So I started building it. And here is where I will be completely honest with you, it took a lot longer than I expected. I thought since I already do this party most weekends it would be so easy to just pass it onto someone else. But in reality, I am a creative perfectionist, I cannot send something out into the world unless I am absolutely 100% happy with every part of it. So I looked at all my potions stuff and thought, it needs to be its own kit.
Here's what people don't see when they pick up a beautifully organised kit looking cute and aesthetic and ready to go. They don't see the weeks of thinking through every single detail. They don't see me wondering whether the mini spoons are the right size or whether to use funnels or droppers, glass or plastic.
Getting the potions component right took some experimenting. I was looking for a recipe that didn't rely heavily on vinegar and eventually landed on a mix of bicarb, citric acid and cornflour. I tested it at one of my own parties and the moment the coloured water hit the powder and it started fizzing and bubbling I knew that was it. That was the magic I was looking for. The kind of thing that makes a child's eyes go wide and makes them immediately want to do it again. And of course I added glitter. Because everything at Bundabubs gets a little touch of magic and glitter is about as magical as it gets.
The painting side came from everything I already knew about running creative sessions for kids. Paints to mix their own colours, two brushes, and the right ratio of guidance to freedom. But translating that into something a parent with no art background or teaching experience could pick up and run confidently, that was the puzzle. Every instruction had to be clear enough that someone who had never had to teach a group of 15 kids anything before could read it and feel like they absolutely had this.
And then there was the sourcing. This is the part nobody sees and honestly it is always the most time consuming thing I do for Bundabubs because it just has to be right. Every item in the kit had to be found and tested by my in-house testers (my kids and the neighbours). The canvases, easels, cushions and potion bottles were the straightforward things. But the pots, pans, jugs and bowls for the potions were a different matter. I love scouring op shops for weird and wonderful treasures. But trying to find a matching set of anything is impossible. So after finding a few must-have pieces I curated the sets around those things. I can't just grab and go. Everything is intentionally picked for its purpose and I always know that I will find it somewhere. Manifesting, believing, willing it to be there. Anything that makes me think "ooh the kids would love that" is a win.
Once I'd sourced everything then I thought, I'll just put it in some boxes and it will be fine! But of course I couldn't find the right boxes. I wanted colourful ones, no one is selling these. Then I found white ones but the stock was low so I had to go to four different Kmarts. But these were the boxes I needed so I went to the four shops.
Then came the packing.
Picture me in the garage, sitting on the floor surrounded by boxes, filling tiny bottles with water and food colouring and glitter and paint. I just love my tiny paint bottles but they are so annoying to fill up! And yes, I always get more on my hands than in the bottle.
Then configuring and re-configuring all the equipment to try to get everything to fit neatly into the boxes, stacking and unstacking and restacking, only to put the lid on and realise it won't close. Then starting again. It was equal parts hilarious and maddening and I would not change a single second of it.
When the first trial kits went out and the feedback started coming back, I sat and read every single message with the biggest smile on my face.
One person said it saved them so much time and effort having all the supplies ready to go, that it even came with instructions on how to use everything, and that it was just so easy. Easy! That word meant everything to me because easy was exactly what I was trying to create.
Another said she loved that she could look like she had everything so organised when actually all she had to do was take everything out of the right box. I laughed out loud at that one because, same. That is the whole point. You get to be the brilliant organised host without the stress it would have taken to pull it all together yourself.
Someone else told me it made party planning so much less stressful because she knew the entertainment was all taken care of. And one more said she loved that she didn't have to buy everything just for one party, and that when it arrived it was all really good quality and aesthetically looked so cute.
That last one got me. Because aesthetics matter to me. I wanted the kit to look beautiful when it arrived. I wanted opening it to feel like something. I wanted parents to feel excited just looking at it before the party even started.
So here's what the Bundabubs DIY Potions and Painting Party Kit actually is, in case you're wondering whether it's for you. It's everything you need to run a Potions and Painting party for up to 15 kids, packed into clearly labelled boxes and ready to go. It comes with full setup instructions, a guide on how to get the kids started with both activities, and cleanup instructions so you're not left staring at a pile of paint covered equipment wondering what to do next.
The potions side is pure sensory magic, fizzing, bubbling, glittery, colourful, and completely safe. The painting side is guided and creative and every child ends up with a canvas they actually want to take home. You collect the kit, you set it up, you follow the instructions, and you throw the kind of party that other parents ask you about afterwards. With a little help from me.
If you've been thinking about booking a party and the scheduling has been the thing holding you back, this might be just what you are looking for. Head to the link below to find out more or get in touch and I'll answer any questions you have.
I genuinely cannot wait for you to try this. I am so proud of what this kit has become and I think once you see it in action you'll understand why I've been talking about it to anyone who will listen.
Which, as it turns out, includes you. Thanks for reading.
G x
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bundabubs DIY Potions and Painting Party Kit? The Bundabubs DIY Potions and Painting Party Kit is a complete kids party experience you can run yourself at home. It includes everything you need for a potions play session and a guided canvas painting activity for up to 15 children, packed into clearly labelled boxes with full instructions.
Where is Bundabubs based? Bundabubs is based in Perth, Western Australia. The DIY party kit is available for collection across the Perth metro area.
What age is the DIY Potions and Painting Party Kit suitable for? The kit is designed for children aged 3 to 12. The potions sensory play is suitable for younger children with adult supervision, and the guided painting works beautifully for the full age range.
Do I need any art or teaching experience to run the party? None at all. The kit comes with step-by-step instructions for setup, getting the kids started on both activities, and cleanup. It is designed so that any parent can pick it up and run a brilliant party with confidence.
Is the potions mixture safe for children? Yes, completely. The glitter powder mix is made from bicarb, citric acid, cornflour and cosmetic glitter. It is non-toxic and safe for children. As with all party activities, adult supervision is recommended.
How do I book the Bundabubs DIY Potions and Painting Party Kit? Visit bundabubs.com.au and submit the party booking form or email info@bundabubs.com.au to enquire about availability and booking.
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Book your Bundabubs DIY Potions and Painting Party Kit at bundabubs.com.au or send a DM on Instagram @bundabubs
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