Every parent wants their children to have the best birthday celebration out there that will bring a huge smile on their little one’s face. However, with all kinds of ideas in mind, from hiring an entertainer to getting a private ice-cream truck, it can be quite tricky to organize and plan out a truly memorable party. Also, how to stay creative and avoid repetitive birthday themes which resemble a snooze fest? Luckily, this article will help any parent looking for helpful tips and tricks to pull off the most amazing kids’ birthday party on this planet. So, get your freshly brewed coffee, sit back and grab a pencil because you will want to write these key tips down.
Keep it budget-friendly
Hosting a kids’ birthday party can be surprisingly costly, as the expenses quickly add up. From arranging the theme to providing meals for the kiddos, some parents might even find themselves broke in the process. To make it as budget-friendly as possible without cutting too many costs and looking cheap, consider planning as soon as possible. This means, ditch the procrastination and start looking for discounts and sales at least a month before the actual party takes place. By planning, you are making sure to give yourself plenty of time to compare prices and quality. Another helpful tip is choosing the right timing of the party. For example, to avoid cooking an expensive lunch and dinner for the children, have the party after lunchtime so you will only need to provide some yummy snacks. For snacks, choose kid-friendly options such as chips, hot dogs, sandwiches or maybe even a variety of fresh fruit.
Keep the party short
A frequent mistake parents make when planning a kids’ birthday party is making it too long and having it last the whole day. Naturally, kids will want to play as long as possible, and they can go wild very quickly if there is no set timetable when their parents will be over to pick them up. To avoid this scenario, have the party last for two hours or a maximum of three. Start by letting the children have some fun and play for about an hour and then introduce the cake and the entertainment. Always have someone close by who will be responsible for adult supervision. Even though two to three hours may seem short, it is better to have it that way than deal with cranky kids who may need to have their nap time. Of course, this applies to smaller children. Take into consideration that a lot of parents who arrive to pick up their children will stay longer to socialize, so the party will last more than planned.
Make it all about the theme
Parents who want to host the most memorable kids’ birthday party on the face of the Earth must devise fun and unique theme for the celebration. Think outside the box and don’t shy away from consulting with the birthday girl or boy. Ask plenty of questions and listen to what the child has to say. Does your child have any favorite cartoon characters, a favorite color or a favorite animal? For example, a fun idea is to hire a costumed actor to reenact iconic scenes from movies such as Aladdin or Cinderella. If the child is older and has access to Instagram, then chances are that there will be a need to create cute Instagrammable photos. Make your party the most talked about in the neighborhood and consider innovational Instagram printer hire which allows you to print photos resembling an Instagram post from a device in a matter of minutes. Another theme idea which is suitable for both girls and boys is a circus-themed party. Make it the greatest show in the world and start by custom designing the invitations. This is a great opportunity to get creative and let the imagination run loose. Grab a couple of bold markers in red and yellow and design the invitations to resemble circus tickets. When the children arrive at the party, dress up as a ringmaster and collect the tickets at the front door. Other ideas which are related to the circus is having a face-painting booth and maybe a clown entertainer. If the weather is sunny outside then definitely have a water balloon toss! The children will love it!
Have low expectations
The reality of a kids’ birthday party is that not everything will go according to plan; Actually, many things may go wrong and the children might not want to cooperate as easily as expected. For example, have you planned out the whole party to be full of interesting activities and crafts, later to find out that the children do not want to participate at all? If this happens then do not worry and just keep the party going. Remember to not have high expectations and that children are usually like that. Just pick some fun activities which are not too demanding and which fit the kids’ interests and ability levels.
Make the cake from scratch
Another way to cut budget costs and get creative is to ditch the store-bought birthday cakes and reach for the pantry. If you ask any child which part of the party is their favorite, the definite answer will be “the birthday cake”. So ask the child to choose a flavor combination, gather the ingredients and get to baking. Not only is this an excellent way to stay within budget limits but it lets parents customize the cake to the children’s liking. A clever tip, according to the manager at Duff’s Cakemix, Courtney Frederiksen is to always go for round cakes, because they are easier to decorate with butter cream. Also, make sure to line the bottom of the pans with a layer of parchment paper to avoid the cakes from sticking. When searching for ideas, always consult the internet for inspiration. There are heaps of interesting designs, some of which are absolutely out of this world. Also, let the kids in on the baking fun. Give them smaller, manageable tasks in the kitchen and have them co-design the cake with you.
Make it all about the games
To keep the party going and successfully entertain a group of kids, parents will have to come up with fun games or activities for the children to take part in. An excellent tip is to simplify things and incorporate games which have stood the test of time for many generations. For example, try out classical games such as musical chairs. The concept of the game is simple. Set up one less chair than the number of kids playing. Next, play music and have everyone walk around the chairs. When the music stops, everyone should grab a chair; the last person standing is out of the game. Keep on playing until there is only one person left standing. Another child favorite is a treasure hunt. Create a rustic looking pirate map and hide several tokens all around the house for the children to find. Other classic games are sack race, egg and spoon race and pin the tail on the donkey.
In summary, a child’s birthday party does not have to be expensive, stressful or unimaginative. Make sure to take notes of the tips mentioned in this article and feel free to add your very own personal twist to any of them. Remember to take a lot of pictures and have fun!
About the author:
Alexis is a Sydney-based part-time lifestyle writer and a full-time mom of two. Her words carry the richness of her travelling and parenting adventures, offer advice and inspiration to those who desire to improve their lives. Outside of the office, she takes pleasure in spending precious time with her youngsters and absorbing the happiness they constantly radiate.