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We all love a party, especially children. But, throwing everything into a room or venue and hoping things will work out, just won't happen. Like any other party you do need to plan a children's party if it is going to be successful and fun for all.
Planning the Party
- Decide WHY the party is being held- is it to celebrate a birthday, special occasion or a party so that all the kids can get together for a few hours. This will help you decide on the theme.
- PLAN at least 6 weeks before the big day. Don't try to organise a party the day or week before, it just wont work.
- WHAT is your budget? Decide on the amount that you wish to spend and try to work within the budget, otherwise a party can become very expensive. Do a very simple chart and divide your budget into amounts allocated for food, decorations, presents, prizes, cake, music entertainment etc. This can also form a check list for planning future parties.
- WHERE is the location of the party going to be? Holding a party at home is likely to be cheaper than hiring a venue. However, this is dependant on how many guests are invited and your budget. Secondly, take into account the time of year. You can have a party in the garden in the summer when the weather is good but not in the winter if snowing and blowing a gale. But then again, you could have a 'snowman party'!!!!!
- The time of the year will also have an impact on your potential guests arriving or accepting your invitation. Many families go away during school holidays!!
- The easiest way to design a party is to work around a theme as it gives uniformity for buying and designing your party venue in relation to colours and decorations. Secondly, a theme gives you a platform for devising the structure of the party. Deciding on what theme is based on the age, gender and interests of the children. A party for boys that all love football would likely produce a theme based around football and party decorations in the colour of a favourite national or local football team. Alternatively, if the group is mixed gender try and go with a Disney, TV, film or cartoon character. Decorations, food, presents and games can all revolve around the theme.
- YOU DO NEED SOME HELP during the run up to the party and the day of the party. Find, WHO is prepared to help. This will save you a lot of time and worry later. Why not organise a party with other parents or relatives it can cut down the cost, time, management and stress.
- Make a list of all the children to be invited. Are adults on the guest list or is it going to be strictly a children's party? If adults are to be invited, see if they are happy to wear fancy dress in the chosen theme. The kids will love it!!!!!
- Send out invitations about 3-4 weeks before the party as this gives you and the parents time to schedule for the party and to reply. You will then know in good time, how many to cater for.
- When you write out the invitations make sure the wording is very clear and underline the date, venue address, starting time and make sure also the time for ending is known. Don't forget to add your phone number to the invitation it makes life easy for both you and other parents.
- Please make sure you keep the phone number of the children's parents at hand. A child may become unwell at the party and need to go home quickly, therefore you will need to contact the parents.
Are You Hiring an Entertainer - If so Just a Few Pointers!
- The best way to find an entertainer is through recommendation.
- When booking, check exactly what the entertainment package includes. It may include just the entertainment or may have prizes and balloons included.
- Most good entertainers will need to be booked well in advance, so contact them as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Please make sure you make it clear of the age group of the party. It could be a little embarrassing if the entertainer is expecting a group of twelve year olds and arrives to find they are all five years of age!!!!!!!!
- Make sure you have written confirmation from the entertainer about the date, time and venue.
- Contact the entertainer a few days before the party to check everything is OK and they are going to arrive.
- Make sure you have a contingency plan in place such as standby games, just in case the entertainer catches a cold, breaks a leg or just simply gets lost!
- Think about the food you are going to provide. Complile a checklist for buying, preparing, storing and presenting. There are loads of sources on the Internet and eBay, which will provide some great ideas for party food.
- Take into account all children will have differing tastes and dietary needs that you may not be aware of so play safe. Do not provide food that contains nuts or E numbers as a child may have an allergy. You may want to ask this question on your invites. Also, one very important point - DO PROVIDE A RANGE OF VEGETARIAN FOOD. It is more than likely some guest will be vegetarian.
Prizes and Take Home Gifts
- Kids love prizes and pressies. So allow your budget, for prizes and a present for each of your young guests to take home. The ideal is a party / loot bag. These can be easily purchased, put together at low cost and customised to your guest list.
- Children's favour boxes are also great with a piece of celebration cake to take home or sweets to enjoy.
If you use your imagination the sky is the limit.
These are just a
few pointers that will help you on your way to planning a children's
party. Have fun and enjoy.
Wishing you a great party from partysupplies-for-u
Wishing you a great party from partysupplies-for-u
Guide created: 06/09/06 (updated 06/09/08)
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