I have 25 years experience of kids parties, I think I may have learnt what works and what doesn’t during that time. I’ve tried all sorts, from small parties in my living room, garden parties, parties in a hired venue with entertainers and parties in kids play areas. I have to say though, I love them, and I’m willing to put everything into them and believe me, they can be very hard work. Here I share my 10 party tips for kids.
So my first tip has to be has to be….
1. Decide How Much Work You are Willing to Do.
2. Do You Need a Theme?
3. Who is Doing the Catering?
4. Displaying the Food
5. Party Games
6. Invitations
As for the invitations, you can get them to match the theme of your party if you wish. I’ve not always done this. You should include the date of the party, the time it starts and finishes and any special instructions like fancy dress. I also put on my mobile number.
Think about how many children you want at the party. If you invite the whole class and they all turn up you will end up with 30 children. If you are using a hired venue then you may be restricted on numbers because you will be paying for each child. However, if you are hiring a hall then you may want to fill it as much as possible so the more the merrier. Get your child to decide who they want to come and then use your judgement based on how many you can cater for.
7. Activities
Over on The ladybird Adventures you can find some fantastic outdoor games for a kids party.
My Little Pony Activities |
Princess Tiaras |
8. Let Them Play
You need to decide how much structure you will have to your child’s party. If you plan every minute you risk wearing the children out and they will become un co-operative. I had a party in a box for my daughter and it involved followed a very detailed set of instructions for games and activities. It was lots of fun, but once I noticed the children losing interest I sent them outside to run around the garden and play. After about 15 minutes they were ready for more games and puzzles.
9. Squabbles
Depending on the age of the children and whether or not their parents have stayed at the party with them, you may find yourself dealing with some squabbles between the children. If you notice two children not getting on with each other you could try splitting them up into different activities. It’s a difficult situation if a child is being naughty, but you have to remember that it’s not your responsibility to discipline them. I find it’s a good idea to keep a phone number of all the parents so you can give them a quick call if the child is being particularly disruptive, or has become upset or hurt. Useful too if a child starts to feel poorly.
10. Hometime
Make sure the parents know what time to pick up their child. Have their party bags ready, they are always less upset about leaving when they have a handful of goodies to take with them.
I always find I’m cleaning up for a good while after a party so I make sure I have a little treat for myself at the end of the day, I will deserve it.
I now have three small children with their birthdays all within a month of each other! Parties are even more hard work so now I’ve started thinking of alternatives. I do love parties though, so one of them at least will get a party and this year it’s going to be Boo who wants a Frozen Birthday party, that should be fun in July!!
Finally, I’d like to end with this little video of a box a goodies I was gifted to help with my daughter’s birthday party. It contains sweets and toys for the party bags, party bags, balloons, a banner, a poster, a pin the tail on the donkey game and a lovely yellow t-shirt from Vertbaudet.
I’ll leave you with some of my birthday cakes.
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Disclaimer: I was not asked to write this post, I did want to share my party tips with you. I was however, gifted the box of party goodies from Vertbaudet. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own…as are the cakes!
great tips – you certainly do have lots of experience of parties. I tend to try to do as little as possible these days as I just can't muster the energy for a proper party. Gorgeous cakes you've made too! x
Wow, that's a lot of experience.
We were lucky with N's last one (well, we did a May party, although his birthday's in Jan, as the other NCT children all had parties then) as I won the use of nursery's treehouse/forest school, so we didn't need anything organised apart from pass the parcel. I hate the everyone's a winner thing though – we never had that as children, so I hate it 's the norm now. Was a right pain remembering to pop in a treat when doing each layer of wrapping the parcel!
I know what you mean about the 'everyone's a winner' wasn't done when I was a child either. It depends on the age of the children at the party, I think it's great for keeping the smaller ones happy. Also, as a mum of autistic children who find it difficult to understand it's been a saviour in terms of preventing meltdowns.
What a great list of tips. We just did a birthday party for D and found that a creative activity in the middle was a great way to recharge!
Lots of great tips, I love the idea of the picnic boxes & starting with a making activity:) Have to admit we go for the easy option of a soft play area!
Some great ideas. My eldest started school this year so this is our first year of a real party, fortunately we did a joint one with some else in the class so it was easier than I feared. I may come back here next year though if we do one on our own.
Fab tips, love the picnic box idea especially! It has been a while since I have done a small childs birthday party, but they will be back on the agenda again soon as my youngest heads towards 3!
Hi Anne nice tips especially the one about let them play because kids don't want a huge party they only want time to play with friends and family member.