So you’ve got the party venue sorted but need to start on the theme for your child’s birthday party and you haven’t got a clue. Or you’re worried about the planning and preparation and what type of food to cook. Fret no more, as we have come up with 12 tips to help you plan a successful birthday party for your little one.
Make sure that there is a theme involved
Having a theme for your child’s party enables you to create focused birthday invitations, decorations, games, activities, food and party bags. Ask your child what they would like as there theme or take one of their particular interests, e.g. monsters, pirates, princesses, fairies.
For more suggestions, how about, your child’s favourite toy or doll, favourite character or television programme, sports figure or a particular sport itself, movie or film star, song or pop star, storybook or cartoon characters, super heroes. The choices are endless.
Plan your party with your little one
Let your child help with ideas for party theme, games and decorations so they can feel part of the planning of their special day too. It will also keep their mind occupied and busy for the few weeks prior to the big day. Have your little one help to make the invitations and decorate the party venue before everyone arrives. Ask them to go shopping with you to choose the treats for the party bags for everyone to take home.
Keep your party short but sweet
A well-planned birthday party begins and ends on time. Two hours either in the morning or afternoon is best so why not plan it around when your child is at his/her most active so they get the most out of the party.
Plan the birthday party guest list
If possible, try to keep the guest list to just good friends only so that you can manage and look after everybody. If you wish to have a large group of friends, ask for some of the parents to help out on the day. You will need to decide whether relatives will also be invited and how other siblings will be involved in the occasion.
Plan the decorations to suit the theme
Firstly you need to decide on your party venue. Indoors or outdoors? The weather will be your guide, but make sure that you plan and prepare for poor weather or really good weather, where the children will most likely want to be outdoors. Make sure that you have enough room for everyone to play, sit and eat. Make sure you decorate the outside and inside with balloons, have party music playing to suit your theme, party games that match the occasion, dress the birthday boy/girl in a special/new outfit so they feel important for the day.
Plan all the games and activities for the day
Be prepared for quieter games to action-packed activities throughout your child’s party. Lots of high-packed games at the beginning of the party to get their energy running and some low-paced games towards the end so they cool off and relax before their parents pick them up.
Plan all the birthday party goodies
Birthday cake and ice cream always go down a treat and shouldn’t go amiss at a child’s birthday party. It might be a good idea to provide some healthy snacks throughout the day so they don’t overload on junk food. Cheese and crackers, fruit salad, nuts, raisins, cut-up vegetables.
Prizes for both the winners and the losers
Having solid winners and losers can always create a sour feeling at a party so make sure there are prizes available for both the winners and losers so no one misses out. Play games that have group winners rather than individual winners.
Be prepared for a few surprises
Practically anything can happen at a child’s birthday party so make sure you keep that camera handy! It will be fun to play the video camera back or get the photos developed at the end of the party so your child can cherish the party forever. It may be the case that things don’t go to plan, so don’t worry and just improvise.
Be prepared for problems too
When kids or animals are involved, usually something goes wrong so don’t worry yourself if it does. Keep your sense of humor and always smile. If a child doesn’t like the food or the kids don’t enjoy the game be creative and have some alternatives aside that may please everyone. If you have other children that may be feeling left out, ask them to be involved in the planning and preparation so they feel a part of it too. Make them feel important by organising games or ask them to invite a friend so they have someone to play with.
Plan for lots of fun
It’s always fun when children are around so be fully prepared for it as there is sure to be lots of laughs, however busy the day may be. You’ll have to be prepared to be aware of your child’s mood and feelings as well as other the children’s mood throughout the day. Sometimes your little one my feel slightly overwhelmed by the attention so help them prepare for this and make sure they get an early night before the party so they don’t feel too tired for the big day.
Plan some me-time
As much as it’s there big day, it is important for you to have some free time to yourself before and after the event so you are prepared and well-rested. Have a few hours to yourself to plan some special little surprises for your little one, and have a nice long bath after the party to unwind.
