Anyone who has ever had to plan a birthday party with all the bells and whistles for their children will know: it’s a lot of work and it can be quite stressful if you’re not really sure where to start.
For instance, there are the decorations, the invites, the venue and what everyone is going to wear. Furthermore, coordinating the party food and snacks to include dietary considerations, vegan treats and take-home party packs can also be quite challenging. Let’s help you.
Take the Stress Out of Your Little One’s Next Birthday Party
If you’re looking for ideas to create the best birthday party for your little one, then we’ve got the advice to help you plan like a pro.
- Decide on a Theme
The first step in the planning process is to choose a theme, since it gives you direction for other decisions, such as the types of decorations to pick. It’s also a fun way to make the party more unique, especially if you add a personal touch to the original theme.
Keep in mind that some themes may be easier to find decorations for than others. This however creates the perfect opportunity for you and the family to get creative and make decorations. Here are some theme ideas to consider:
- Superheroes
- Video Games
- Dinosaurs
- Mermaids
- Unicorns
- Pirates
- Halloween
- Favourite movie or TV show
- Princesses
- Disney themes
- Create a Guest List
Once you’ve decided on a theme, decide who you’re going to invite. This process can be rather complex if your child has a lot of friends and cousins. The last thing you want is making someone feel left out.
A tip that works well is to determine how much the budget for the party will be. That will give you an idea of how much money can be spent on refreshments, décor and party packs. In many instances, making decorations and invitations may be cheaper than buying them which could increase the number of people you can cater for. If you’re on a very limited budget, start by inviting family and friends your child is closest to. Add others if the cashflow allows.
- Pick the Location
The good news is there are many good locations to have a fun party, no matter what the theme or size of the party. Essentially, it comes down to whether you want to have the party at home or a venue.
Remember to factor in the weather and if you live in a rainy area, consider a venue that has both indoor and outdoor areas available. Having a party at home is excellent for saving money on venue costs but will require a lot of cleaning up afterwards.
- Refreshments
When it comes to choosing snacks and drinks it’s essential to keep in mind that some children may have allergies and specific dietary restrictions. It’s always an excellent idea to include gluten free treats and more than one variety of meat if it’s on the menu. For instance, have some chicken to cater to any children who don’t eat red meat.
If you’re making a birthday cake, having two separate flavours will ensure that you cater for almost everyone’s tastes. This is simple to create by creating a two-tier cake. Making different flavoured cupcakes is also an easy way to create variety.
- Plan for Games and Activities
Children who are eating a lot of sugar for the whole day will have a ton of energy to get rid of. Find some theme and age-related games they can play. Older siblings can assist with face painting to add a unique touch to the day and the photos. If the space, weather and budget allow, you may even consider a jumping castle or splash pool.
- Create a Checklist
To make the process flow as smoothly as possible, create a checklist of everything that must be done, and by when it must be finalised. Assign tasks to older siblings or cousins to get everything done on time.
Make sure everyone knows what’s expected of them on the day. Where possible, finalise hanging up the decorations the day before. You can also turn making party packs into a family affair where everyone jumps in to get it done a few days before the big day.
Final Thought
Birthday parties are an awesome way for your children to create memories that they will cherish forever. Furthermore, a fun day with friends is a wonderful photo opportunity!
When you’re an outsider looking in to a children’s birthday party, it may all seem chaotic and crazy. But a lot of hard work and planning goes into creating that look. The trick to a successful party is to plan early, stay within your budget and don’t be hesitant to get creative.
Get it right and you’ll have more fun planning the party, than during the actual event.
