Kidney Beanz Trust Spinathon 2008

What a fantastic day it was, many volunteers sweating as they rode for hours and hours at Sandton Virgin Active for an excellent cause. The Kidney Beanz Spinathon was wonderfully organised by Annamarie Wagner, a trust member of The Kidney Beans Trust in a joint initiative with The Virgin Active Group and Morningside Clinic.

The Spinathon was organized for one sole purpose, to raise awareness and funding for kids with severe kidney disease. What amazing kids these were, some of them were awaiting transplants and others had already had their operations and told of their wonderful success stories. The kids showed their appreciation to the spinners by spraying them with water and found it hilarious to spray Zimbo too.

I had so much fun at this charity event and I have agreed to fully support the kids at The Kidney Beanz Trust by dedicating my time to visiting these kids at Morningside Clinic on a regular basis.

You can make a donation to this amazing charity or you can offer your time and support too by filling out a simple contact form. Make a difference today and you will realize that these kids are well worth the love.

Take Care
Zimbo the Clown

Kids love pony rides and cowboy parties

Why are kids so fascinated by these magnificent beasts? I know adults wouldn’t even consider riding an animal more than five times our size. My guess is that kids don’t even see the sheer size of these creatures; they see right into their hearts and connect to the souls of these animals on a level that adults could never achieve. Children want to love these animals so why not give them the chance to make a new friend?

SA Trail Kids offers all of this and more. Many kids dream of being cowboys or cowgirls. I don’t blame them, you know how much Zimbo loves funky hats and there is nothing cooler than beaten down cowboy hats. SA Trails Kids do it all, when it comes to cowboy theme parties then why not allow a real cowboy to show your kids how it’s done.

Your child will learn how to handle the horses using cowboy methods, a style which has proven to be gentle on horses. Your kids will be spending their day riding ponies on the range of Northern Farms and then head back to the cantina for some tarantula juice and fried rattlesnake (cold drinks and food). Every cowboy comes across dangers in the wild. At SA Trails Kids there is a petting zoo containing snakes, lizards & dragons, geckos and tarantulas. Beware, before the day is done, your kids might be lassoing the family pet or little sister.

SA Trail Kids will cater for your party or you can bring your own food and they will prepare the fire pit to do all of your cooking.

Don’t forget that Zimbo loves to be a cowboy clown so any bookings at SA Trails Kids will get R200 discount off Zimbo’s regular rate. Just be sure to tell SA Trails that you want Zimbo the Clown at your party.

Take Care
Zimbo the Clown

Kids Foam Parties

The trend is here, and in this heat foam parties have become a favorite amongst the kids. As a follow up to last weeks article on Kids Summer Pool Parties, Zimbo is going to give you some inside tips and advice on foam parties.

What is a foam party?
Well its quiet simple really, its like being in a very large bath tub with all your friends. The kids get lathered up with soap-like suds shooting out of a large bubble machine. The soap machine fills up a large pit (jumping castle) with tons and tons of suds.

What type of foam party should I get?
For kids, Zimbo recommends the medium or large foam pit. These pits will keep your kids clean and save your grass. Try to avoid the stand alone machines (the ones without the pits) as these machines can create quite a mess because the foam is not contained and gets to wonder all over your garden or house out of control (you will be amazed where foam can get).

What do I need for my foam party?

• Costumes (your kids won't soak but will get damp)
• Goggles (for those sensitive eyes and under foam exploring)
• Sunblock (beware, just like swimming, your kids will bake}
• The whole family (thats right, foaming is for all ages)

How do I book a foam party?
Foam parties are available all over South Africa. Zimbo recommends X-treme Foam Parties if you are in Gauteng as their service is fantastic, clean and professional.

How much do foam parties cost?
The prices vary, but you can expect to pay in the region of R1800/2hrs for the medium sized units and up to R2500/2hrs for the larger units.

Will Zimbo the clown join us?
If your foam party is the last party on Zimbo's schedule then Zimbo will be more than happy to join in the fun.

Take Care
Zimbo the Clown

Kids Summer Pool Parties

Hello all. Summer is here and Zimbo is more than just a little bit excited. Why? Well summer can offer some of the most exciting, fun and fantastic parties yet. It's time to get wet, cool off a bit and use that summer heat to throw a fun filled party your child will never forget.

Summer parties usually include pool parties, bubble bonanza's and picnic tea parties. Zimbo has kindly done all the work for you and sorted everything out by age, so take a look, maybe you can pick up a few ideas.

Soapy & Squishy Water Balloons.
Pool parties are not just about the swimming (although this is my favourite part). Dash off to the supermarket and grab the following:

• water balloons
• sunlight dish liquid
• a bucket

Now fill up half the bucket with some water and then squirt in about a cup full of sunlight. Fill up the water balloons and then put as many as you need into the bucket. Now get the kids all lined up opposite each other and have them toss the balloons to each other. Have you ever tried to catch a slippery slimy water balloon all covered in soap? The kids will have a blast and may not even need to bath afterwards. Safety Note: rather do this on the grass as the poolside can become very slippery.

Balloon Shaving
What you need to get:

• Balloons (regular)
• Shaving Cream
• Cheap single blade razors
• Poles
• Permanent marker

This one is for the older kids (boys seem to love it a lot more as it can get destructive)
Blow up 10-20 balloons and attach them to a pole (one per pole so that the balloon sits steady on the pole - about the height of the smallest child attending). Draw a face on each balloon and then apply the shaving cream to the balloon to make a beard. Have the children make two lines and get each child to try shave the balloon without popping it. See which team shaves the most balloons without popping them. Safety Note; This game should only be played amongst older kids (age 8-12)as they will be handling razors. Parent supervision is a must.


Baking Baby
This one I saved for the little ones. Beware, this is messy
What you need:

• Very Large Baking trays
• Whipped cream
• smarties, hundreds and thousands, candy worms, marshmallows etc.

Put the baking trays on the grass and fill the trays with a good amount of whipped cream. Place the sweets into the tray and be sure to spray whipped cream over them to hide the sweets. Now, grab the babies and let them explore the very sweet, very sticky baking tray. You will probably notice that they prefer to play around with the stuff rather than eat it as it feels great. The more babies you have the better it is. If you really want to get messy you can add some chocolate sauce. (Be sure to lock the dogs away)

Jungle adventure story
This one can be played with all ages
What you need:

• Lots of junk food like candy worms, marshmallows, sour worms etc
• Lots of things to drink like chocolate milk, creamesoda etc
• Plastic Cups
• Chairs
• Blindfolds

Have the kids all sit in a row with blindfolds on and then allow Zimbo or another adult (if for some reason Zimbo is not at the party) tell the wild jungle story. The story must be said in a mysterious and fun way. You can make up whatever story you wish but the main object is to include the food in your story... eg. You are walking along a long dusty road and you have not eaten for days, you fall to your knees and start to eat the hot desert sand (at this time you give each child powdered chocolate milk - without the milk). As the the adventure continues you can have them eating live worms (you feed them sour worms) or crunchy bugs (you feed them smarties). Whatever you decide, be sure to practice your story before hand. safety Note: Be sure to check with parents to make sure no child is allergic to anything.

Take Care
Zimbo

Supporting Big Brother Big Sister South Africa

To follow up on last months article on Why Charity Should Be Important to Any Clown, I would like to highlight an organisation that has become a big part Zimbo the Clown's life.

Big Brother Big Sister of South Africa (BBBSSA) is an amazing loving organisation that cares for the children of South Africa. Lauren from BBBSSA approached me (Zimbo) at the beginning of the year to participate in a charity event. Not knowing what to expect I arrived at the event ready to entertain the masses. To my surprise the event was very well organised and very well run. The kids were all put into neat lines without much shouting from the organisers. What this shows me is that the children have respect for the organisers and volunteers, most probably because they have formed close relationships with all the volunteers (their Big Brothers and Sisters). The impact these dedicated volunteers have on these children's lives is something you have to experience to be amazed. Just a little bit of care and appreciation towards these kids goes a long way. BBBSSA understood the unique challenges and needs of the children and found a solution to the problem.

We know we cannot possibly look after all the children in need, but if we take it upon ourselves to look after one child, then we will change a life forever. We will be blessed with the unique opportunity to have a direct impact on a child, changing his/her life and help create wonderful memories and self-esteem that the child can use in his/her future.

Zimbo is proud to participate in yet another BBBSSA event on the 13th September 2008. Why not do your part and become a volunteer today. Visit Big Brother Big Sister South Africa and become a volunteer or add to the BBBS wishlist to help support a child who is in need of care and attention. A simple smile from one of these children will assure you that you have made the right decision.

If you would like to volunteer as a face painter or entertainer for the next BBBSSA event please contact Zimbo directly

BBBS Websites:
Big Brother Big Sister South Africa

Big Brother Big Sister International

Big Brother Big Sister Main Wesite