A Birthday Tea Party
Webster, Thomas
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
How To Host A Superb Kid Birthday
Party!
By: Martyn Purdy
How do you plan a
children’s birthday party... and still remain sane?
Relax, don’t panic and
keep it as simple as possible is the answer.
Kids don’t care if the
room has been vacuumed and cleaned. Think about it for a moment, kid's will
make the tidiest of room’s look like a disaster zone within minutes of turning
up. They won’t care whether the table napkins match or what time it is!... all
they will want to do is have fun, play games and eat lots of goodies!
So, what’s the best way to
ensure that your child's birthday party is one to remember? (at least until the
next party invitation arrives!)
Firstly, take a little
time to think about the party theme. Will it be an outing to the local burger
house, a trip to an amusement park or will you have a theme party at home. With
sufficient forward planning, you won’t be losing any sleep worrying about the
party.
Make a list of who is
coming to the party? The general rule of thumb is to invite as many guests as
you feel comfortable catering for.
Ask the birthday child
what they would like to do. Don’t be tempted to pressure them into having the
sort of party YOU would like... it is their special day after all! Once you
have decided on a theme, then the party activities to keep the kids happy
become a priority. Many traditional games can be adapted to fit just about any
party theme.
If the party is to at the
local restaurant, go along and speak to the manager to agree the food menu and
leave the rest to them. An outing to the amusement park or zoo may require
additional party planning, with transport being just one item needing
consideration. Many of these venues have party facilities available so all you
need to provide is the children and a credit card to pay the bill.
If the party is to be at
home, then selecting a theme can be fun. Whether it’s Pirates, Finding Nemo or
Dora the Explorer... this is your opportunity to get creative!
With so many character
theme party goods available, the choice is endless. If you’re planning to hold
the party outdoors, it would be a good idea to have at least one room inside
your home decorated, in case of rain. Try to limit the party activities to
pre-designated party areas (as much as possible), so you are able to relax and
enjoy the party without worrying about the mess being made.
Ok, it’s now time to get
ready for the party! You’ve decided on the party theme and how many guests will
be invited... Now the preparations and fun begin!
Don’t forget to keep your
birthday kid involved whenever possible. Get them to suggest party game ideas,
then choose the decorations and food together. Feeling relaxed? Hope so,
because organizing a kid birthday party should be fun for everyone!
Allocate a budget for the
party and decide whether you hire a professional entertainer or enlist the help
of friends and neighbors? Don’t be afraid to ask a friend to help clear empty
dishes, run a game or two and even take the some party photos.
Set a time for the party.
Two or three hours should be plenty of time. If the children are under 5 years
old, then one and half hours should be time enough. One great tip is to hold a
toddler party in the morning, as youngsters tend to get a bit “cranky” when
they get tired!
Plan your party games in
15-20 minute intervals. If you find the kids are happy playing a particular
game let them carry on... why spoil their fun? On the other hand plan more
activities than you think you will need. Some games may be greeted with a
“groan” and you may well need to play another game sooner than you expected.
Send out your birthday
party invitations 2 to 3 weeks in advance of the party date, then make a
follow-up confirmation phone calls after about a week. People tend to be very
busy nowadays and a small invitation can get easily forgotten, usually under a
mountain of junk-mail!
Don’t spend more time or
energy than necessary on things that don’t really matter. When organising the
party food keep snacks plain and simple. Remember that kids love eating food
with their fingers and your party day could be a great day to let them do just
that!
Buy an undecorated cake
from your local baker and decorate it yourself, making a terrific party theme
cake... or get the bakers to make a completely finished themed birthday cake!
Finally, imagine that the
big day is here and your first guest arrives for your child’s birthday party.
Stay calm, keep a good sense of humor and enjoy the precious party time with
your guests. Above all, keep the party flowing and let the children set the
pace.
You will look back
afterwards, when flicking through your fabulous party photo’s, with the
immortal words... "It was well worth the effort"
About the author: Martyn
Purdy is the creator of a popular kid birthday party website. Find a wealth of
party themes, games, treats and our party planner at http://www.captain-kid-birthday-parties.com
Article Source: www.isnare.com
