They may hide it well, but kids really do want to feel like the grownups are in control. They don’t like running amok, getting injured or stuffing cake until they’re sick near as much as they let on.
Kids’ parties don’t have to be expensive or outrageously creative. They just need to be well-planned and well-supervised.
• Have a plan
Start planning well in advance. Set a budget and stick to it. If you play your cards right, you’ll have plenty of time to shop sales or dollar stores for supplies. Consider the time of year of the party. That might give you ideas about the venue or fitting seasonal themes.
Your child should be involved in the planning process. What would he or she most enjoy? Come up with a few ideas within your budget and let your child choose. He should also help with the invitations, grocery shopping and decorations; they’re his guests, after all. The event will be more memorable if your child contributes.
• Have a guest limit
How many children should be invited?
We talked with Mid-Atlantic Adventures about this questions who said, “A good rule of thumb: Invite one guest for every year of your child’s age. Consider the venue—is the party in your fenced back yard, or a busy water park? Check your budget. What amount have you allotted per child?”
Don’t invite more kids than you can afford to treat or are capable of safely supervising. If you can’t avoid inviting the whole class, enlist good friends or family members to help set up, run errands and prepare food.
Since you started planning early, the invitations went out several weeks in advance. Now you know who is attending and there won’t be any surprises.
Still, prepare to be surprised. You may learn of a child who has special needs or dietary restrictions. A parent might ask if a sibling can tag along.
There’s no shame in accepting help. If it’s offered, take it. You can’t have too much supervision, but you can have too little.
• Have fun with food
Food can be creatively integrated into the party’s theme. Having a swim party? Nutter Butter cookies, for example, can be decorated with icing to look like flip-flops. Food can also form the basis of an activity. Kids love making their own sundaes or baking pizzas. Just know the limits of your own patience and how much mess you’re willing to clean up.
If overdoses of processed sugar bother you, incorporate fresh fruit like grapes, watermelon slices or pineapple chunks. Don’t overdo sodas. It’s surprising how many kids prefer water, nowadays.
Whether you’re serving a full hotdog meal or self-serve snacks, be sure to pick up a few extra items. Kids are notoriously picky eaters, and some have allergies to certain foods. Buy a little more than you need in case of tag-alongs who come with invited guests. Don’t set all the food out at once.
• Have plenty to do
From the time guests walk through the door, they should be engaged. Direct new arrivals to an ice-breaking activity. Crafts are a great way to get the party started, and the finished products can double as a party favors.
Make sure games are age-appropriate and not overly competitive. “Everybody wins” is a good cliché to keep in mind.
Plan things to do—the more idle time kids have, the more likely they are to get bored or get into trouble.
• Have a clearly stated end time
Young kids’ birthday parties have an expiration date; once time is up, children start crying, getting stomachaches and kicking one another.
Plan on 1 ½ to two hours. If someone’s parents don’t show up, call them.
Most parents make it harder than it is. Make a good plan, work with your child and maintain a sense of humor. No matter how many mishaps, you’ll be talking about the party for years.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/kids-birthday-parties_n_3012681.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Throw-a-Successful-Party
http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T065-C011-S001-how-to-save-money-on-kids-birthday-parties.html
