Successful events begin with thoughtful planning, and while hiring a professional party planner is the easiest way to organize a seamless celebration, there’s something extra special about doing it yourself—especially when you involve the person being celebrated! Whether it’s a child’s birthday or another milestone, planning together allows you to tailor the party to their preferences and make the process more enjoyable for everyone involved.
To get started, print our planning checklist and find a quiet space where you can focus on the details. Include the birthday child or the guest of honor in the decisions, such as choosing the theme, decorations, and activities. This not only ensures the event reflects their personality but also turns the preparation into a fun, shared experience that builds excitement leading up to the big day.
Should the Party Have a Theme?
Opting for a party theme can streamline the planning process and add an extra layer of excitement to the event. For instance, a straightforward masquerade where children can dress up in any costume they desire is a fantastic idea. There is a wide variety of costumes available both in retail stores and online, catering to all tastes and preferences. If you are looking for a cost-effective solution, you can get imaginative and create your own costumes using simple materials such as a needle, thread, and a basic sheet. This approach not only saves money but also adds a personal touch to the celebration.
Is There Anyone Who Can Help at the Party?
To ensure the birthday child and guests have a great time, having enough help is crucial. Enlist other adults (perhaps the guests’ parents?) to ease the burden of acting as waiter, game leader, photographer, cleaner, and more. Ask around to find volunteers for serving, games, photography, video recording, etc.
How Many Guests to Invite?
Decide on the number of guests based on the available volunteers. Without help, up to ten children are manageable – the younger the children, the fewer you should invite. Fewer children are easier to manage, especially for games. Children under five should have a parent accompanying them.
Where to Hold the Party?
Assess if you have enough chairs and tables. If not, consider renting a venue. Ask around; maybe a nearby school or preschool rents out spaces on weekends. Weather permitting, you could hold the party outdoors in a park or at an adventure or water park. Ensure you have a backup plan in case of rain.
If you lack time or space, many venues host children’s birthday parties, such as bowling alleys, museums, and restaurants. While this can be pricey, you can compromise with the birthday child on the number of guests. Another idea is to invite just a best friend for a whole day at an amusement park.
How Long Should the Party Last?
One hour is sufficient for the youngest children. Older children can have longer parties, but a limit of three hours is usually enough.
Sleepovers are very popular. If it’s summer and the weather is nice, let the children sleep in a tent in your garden. An idea is to let each child paint their pillowcase – buy white pillowcases and fabric paint in different colors. Establish bedtime rules at the beginning of the party or on the invitation.
Entertainment?
For an added element of surprise and enjoyment, think about hiring a professional clown or a skilled magician to entertain the guests. These performers can captivate the audience with their tricks and antics, making the event memorable. If the children are a bit older and might prefer a different kind of entertainment, consider providing music. You can ask the birthday child to curate a playlist featuring their favorite songs, ensuring the music selection aligns perfectly with their tastes and preferences.
Menu
Consider a suitable menu. Look for party menus and inspiration in cookbooks, online, or in food magazines.
Children are easy to please. Simple options like hamburgers, pizza slices, and a birthday cake made of ice cream topped with sprinkles are often enough. Include popcorn, potato chips, and a fruit bowl. Don’t forget a bag of sweets for everyone.
Plan the menu and shopping list. Many foods can be prepared in advance.
Decoration
Balloons and streamers create a festive atmosphere. Hang them from the ceiling, on the front door, and place them on tables – the more, the merrier! Tape a welcoming sign on the front door with balloons. Print your personal welcome sign here >>
For larger parties, consider the seating arrangement to avoid disputes. For smaller children’s parties, print each child’s name on a balloon and tie it to the chairs or print personal place cards here >>
Games and Activities
Games are essential at a children’s party – they elevate the mood! Start with active games and end with quieter ones to calm the guests before they leave. Decide which games to play – find ideas on our party games page – and print them along with any necessary accessories. Prepare a couple of extra games in case there’s extra time; sometimes children finish quickly! Find ideas for party games here >>
Invitation
A fun invitation card sets the tone for the party. Create a simple, personal card with a folded paper and the birthday child’s picture. Follow the party theme on the invitation card if applicable. On our invitation page, you’ll find free printable invitation cards >>
Include the date and time of the party, address (possibly with a map), phone number, whether RSVP is required (RSVP is from the French phrase ”répondez, s’il vous plaît” meaning ”please reply”), and if the party has a theme.
Distribute or mail the invitations at least a week before the event. Avoid handing out invitations at school unless the entire class is invited.