Birthdays seem to get less and less important as we get older, but once you become a parent birthdays once again become some of the most important events of the year. From attending the multitude of kids parties hosted by your children’s friends & classmates to planning parties of your own, it seems that the birthday fun never really slows down. We know how stressful it can be planning a kids party, going above and beyond to make sure the birthday boy or girl has nothing short of a fantastic day. To help you in your quest to create the perfect kids birthday party, check out our list of tips for hosting the perfect kids birthday party to assure a fun and memorable event for all who attend.
Work With Your Kid
It may sound obvious, but there’s no better way to assure the perfect party than sitting down and collaborating with your boy or girl.
We all know that kids aren’t exactly experts in knowing exactly what they want, but chatting with them about everything from location to invites will help you narrow down your options. Sometimes they’ll make it easy for you and let you know exactly what they have in mind!
Make It Fun For Everyone
Although a kids birthday party is primarily focused on the birthday boy or girl, that doesn’t mean that everyone can’t have a great time!
Regardless of age, young and old should be able to enjoy themselves at a birthday celebration. When planning a party, consider an activity or location where parents can participate along with the kids. If this isn’t an option, consider having a seperate area where parents can mingle and enjoy themselves. Don’t be afraid to serve beer or wine to help loosen up the parents who may not know each other.
Choose Your Location & Time Wisely
Location is key when choosing the perfect place to enjoy a birthday celebration.
Be considerate of your guests and how far they have to travel. Try to choose something local that isn’t a strenuous trip for everyone involved. If you’re looking for something headache free, consider a venue that offers all-inclusive birthday party packages. When it comes to time, try to choose a span that seems appropriate. A toddler’s birthday party doesn’t need to be exceptionally long, and an older kid doesn’t want to celebrate for an hour before having to go home.
Know Your Budget
Birthday party expenses can add up quick, but they don’t have to if you’re on a tight budget.
When you start planning a party, make sure to set a strict budget before anything else. Knowing exactly how much you want to spend will make it much easier for you to narrow down a good venue, number of guests, food served, etc. This is one of the many tips for hosting the perfect kids birthday party!
Find The Deals
Whether you’re going to a popular birthday party destination or hosting your own, there are always deals to be found!
Birthday venues of all sorts almost always offer bundle-packages where you can save money and know exactly how much you are going to be spending before you book. If you’re hosting a private event yourself, check with catering and rental organizations to see if they have any bulk/party discounts as well.
Keep Partying Parents In Check
Serving beer and wine at a kids birthday party for the parents can be a great idea, as it helps put parents in a more social mode to get to know one another.
With that being said, some parents may get into a little too much of a “party mood” if you have an open bar. Consider creating a safe and fun environment for kids and adults alike by limiting adult alcohol consumption to a minimum. Handing out 1-2 drink tickets to parents could be a great solution.
Consider a “Gift Free” Birthday
We would never suggest that a kid goes without the pleasures of receiving birthday presents, but if your child is already getting a fair-share of presents from family and family-friends, you could always make your kids party gift free.
By simply writing “no gifts, please” on your invitations, you can alleviate pressure on your attendees parents (especially those struggling financially). Having no gifts also gives your kid more play-time with his/her friends and helps teach them to be more appreciative of what they have.
More People =/= More Fun
Sometimes when people think of a party, the more the merrier immediately comes to mind.
While this is true in some cases, it usually isn’t for a child’s birthday party. In most instances, more kids only equals more hassles and work for the host and parents to put up with. Kids don’t need to have their entire school show up to their party, they can have just as much, if not more fun with a tight-knit group of friends.
Keep It Simple
When planning a party, try to avoid having a multitude of activities for the kids to do.
There’s no reason to have kids rush to do everything offered in a two hour time span when they can have more fun enjoying a few fun things and socializing with their friends and peers. Consider having 2-3 main activities for kids to enjoy and keep things simple!
Relax, and Have Fun!
The stresses of planning a party are sometimes unavoidable, but don’t let them get to your head!
Your kids party should be just as fun for you as it is for them. Being stressed out will rub off on your birthday boy or girl who are surely hoping you are having a great time like they are. If things seem a little too frantic at times, take a deep breath, relax and have some fun!
