Basics of Planning a Child’s Party
The Numbers Game
A good guide to the number of guests is the age of the child, i.e. ten guests for a ten year old. In terms of helpers, aim for a children-to-adult ratio of 4:1 for children under five. One adult to every seven for children six to ten years of age. Once they’re over this age, they’ll want far less adult involvement.
Sending out the invitations
Personalized invitations are great fun to make and allow the host to get involved from the start. If you don’t already have a greetings card package on your PC, you can find a number of great greeting card sites online, including HP’s print project site where there are invitations ready to be printed. As well as showing the time and date of the party, you’ll need to include your address (or the party venue, if different), details of any special themes such as fancy dress and, perhaps most important of all, the time at which you’d like parents to collect their little darlings.
Special entertainment
If you do want to do something a little special, bounce houses and tents full of balls are a sure fire hit but do keep a close eye on the children. You’ll also find specialists such as magicians, clowns, puppeteers, or balloon artists under Entertainers in the phone book or on party directory websites.
Setting a theme
Young children do enjoy the excitement of dressing up and the little extra effort involved in creating a theme can make a world of difference. You don’t have to go overboard; masks or hats are often all that’s needed to make it that much more different and entertaining.
Games and activities
Always plan for more activities and games than you will need.
Using crafts or games that match your theme will make your planning easier.
Always have more supplies for crafts (and game prizes) than you think you will need, as well as goodie bags. If a guest brings a sibling, you will have enough.
Hand out goodie bags as the guests leave or they have a habit of over taking the party or tiny treats getting misplaced in the frenzy.
Backup Plans
Always have a backup plan if planning of an outdoor party, in case of possible bad weather. Have activities or games planned that can be played inside or out, or have extra craft projects lined up if the party has to be moved indoors.
Go with the flow
Don’t let the little things that can (and usually do) go wrong ruin the party for the birthday boy/girl, you or the guests. Expect the unexpected and try to remember that it doesn’t take much to impress small children. They are there for cake and ice cream and goodie bags.
Toddler Party
Have the parents stick around at the party, especially if your guest list is bigger than you would have liked. Also, do not hesitate to ask friends or family members to help you at the party. An extra pair of hands is always nice. You could even have the babysitter there from the beginning through clean up time.
Children’s Birthday Party Supplies
