Children's Birthday Parties

Planning and organising your child's Birthday party is often stressful and hard work. There is so much to think about - how many to invite, the venue, should it have a theme, entertainment, food and not forgetting the dreaded party bags. Here are some general guidelines that will hopefully make the planning easier and give you some inspiration.

Plan ahead as long in advance as you can. Many venues and entertainers need to be booked weeks in advance. Think carefully about what your child would really like. It is easy to get over-ambitious when for example, young children may be quite happy with a package party at the local soft play centre.

Venues
If you have more than seven or eight children it is definitely better to hire a venue. Do check the rooms before booking and consider the kitchen facilities, ease of access and size. Fifteen children will look completely lost in a large church hall. Consider booking a "package party" at a local leisure centre, swimming pool, farm or activity centre. For a set price you will get the venue, entertainment, food and often the party bag, leaving you just to turn up ten minutes before with the cake.

Invitations
Packs of invitations can be bought from many shops - you need to spend time completing each one but they come complete with envelopes. For those with a computer, many children's websites include party invitations that you can print off eg. www.bbc/cbeebies.co.uk. or you create your own adding in a photo etc. The advantage with doing your own is that it saves you having to write all the personal details in and you print off the exact number you require.

Make sure all the necessary information is included - name of child, contact phone number, date, time and address of venue (and directions if it will help). Think carefully about the length of the party. For younger children, an hour and a half is quite sufficient and for older children two hours. Unless you are really brave, and have the patience, of a saint don't exceed two hours!

Food
Keep this as simple as possible and choose items that can be prepared in advance. Select food that is not too messy - remember you will be the one cleaning the floor when everyone has left. Small-sized finger food is easiest. Themed tableware can be fun and makes the table look attractive. Don't forget the drinks - fizzy drinks should be avoided if possible - cartons of fruit juice are the easiest solution. The Birthday cake can either be served at the table or wrapped to take home.

Number of guests
Remember whose party it is. It is not an excuse for getting your friends together with the hope that the children might play well together. If your child is not an extrovert, they will probably enjoy it more with just a few select friends from school/nursery or it may be easier and less political just to invite the whole class. As children get older they tend to just want a handful of close friends. Talk to your child and find out what they want.

Entertainment
For a larger group booking an entertainer is common sense - they will take over and amuse the children leaving you to potter around and get the food ready. Find an entertainer to suit the age range of your child and guests. Consider a themed party either with or without a party entertainer/organiser. Fancy dress can add to the theme.

Party bags
A custom which has now turned virtually into a necessity for parties. Consider buying them ready made or if you are putting them together yourself keep it simple. It is better to choose one or two main items and add in a packet of sweets.

Party ideas
Art and crafts parties
Mini-disco or karoke
Traditional party games
Entertainers - magician, puppet show, games organiser, themed eg. fairy or pirate parties
Makeover or face-painting
Farms, zoos, aquariums - many do party hire
Cooking or pizza party
Sporting day - eg. three-legged races, egg and spoon races
Bouncy castle, soft-play equipment
Treasure hunt
Fancy dress

Useful websites
www.parenthub.co,/parents/birthdays - good resource contains links to several useful party sites, and also a useful birthday party checklist.
www.birthdayexpress.com - offers over 100 party themes. Also tips and ideas for party games, arts and crafts etc
www.partyzone.co.uk - one stop party shop
www.smashers.org.uk - super prepared and themed party bags that are delivered to your home
www.hopscotchmailorder.co.uk - fantastic range of dressing-up clothes and hats
www.kidspartysurvivialguide.com - amusing but useful planning guide