|
As a parent the children's birthdays were always a nightmare, I would spend hours preparing the food and drink, thinking of games to keep them busy and searching for extra chairs and tables and most of this time I was completely stress out.
Here are a few tips to make it easy on you as well as putting on a great party.
Firstly let us take a look at the best times and duration of the party.
The time you hold the party can differ with the age of the children, for example if the children aged 6 or under, the party would be better in the morning as young children get sleepy and cranky later if they don't have a sleep, this can make it very stressful having crying and upset children.
For children aged 7 upwards you could hold the party either in the morning after breakfast or afternoon after lunch. The reason for this is you do not have to go overboard with the food (we will look at the food further down the page)
No party should ever go on for more than 3 hours, in fact a two hour party would be better for everyone. If a party goes on to long the children get bored and not only will they NOT want to come to the next one but you will be stressed out as bored children start fights, argue and could even start to throw thing at each other.
Looking at an easy two hour party.
Let us say that your party is due to begin at 2 pm. by the time all the children have arrived it should be around 2.15 pm. Now the first thing for you to do is to introduce yourself to the children you don't know. Now start with a follow the leader which shows the children where the toilet is situated, where they can find the drinks and of course around the garden to show them where they can play. Make sure you do some funny moves for the children to copy and an idea is to say that the best one gets a gift (Make sure they all get a gift, a small candy will be fine)
On most parties you will have adults that come in and have no intention of leaving, this happens even on the older children's party. Your party is for children so you don't want to mess around with unwelcome adults so make sure you have a table and chairs set up outside in the back garden and sit them there, when you have time make them a coffee or get someone else to make it.
Now the time should be around 2.30 pm now it is important to get into your first game. I like a fun game like simon say's or musical chairs. Don't cheat by making sure it always lands on the birthday child as other children will spot this and will not want to return for other parties.
Drink time. Have plenty of cold drinks ready and ask the children to line up by the table. Use disposable plastic cups so if they get dropped there will be no damage - Under no circumstances use glass, if one breaks you could have a lot of cut children.
Time for some kind of entertainment, and this is where plaster painting comes into it's own. All children love paining so you should have at least two pieces for each child. Set out a long table with plastic containers for water and paints (only have a small amount of paint in each as it may get dirty if the brushes are not washed out before changing colours). Have each piece placed on a paper plate for painting, the child can write their name on the plate so they can take them home after the party.
I always offer a prize for the best one - This way the children do a better job and take longer to paint - I also make out that I can't decide which is the best as I feel all of them are good, so everyone gets a candy.
One more thing, you must inform the parents to make sure the children wear old clothing or have an old long shirt with them so paint does not get on their best clothes. I also have a few old shirts handy just in case.
Food Time. Don't do to much food, the children will be to excited to eat much and please don't go to the trouble providing gourmet food, just a few party pies, sausage rolls, small cakes, crust less small sandwiches or perhaps hot dogs. For the smaller children put out some fairy bread, they love this.
Again give each child a paper plate to use for their food.
Game Time: Now it is time for that old favourite "Pass The Parcel". Make this big with a small prize between each wrapper, a balloon or wrapped candy will do.
Cake Time: Now it is time for the birthday cake. Get all the children around the table to sing happy birthday and don't forget to give the birthday boy 3 cheers.
Treasure Hunt: Now the time should be up so this must be the last game. Make a small party bag up for each child (Make a couple extra in case other parents bring younger children with them) Now you need small envelopes to hide around the garden and the children have to look for them. They are only allowed one each so when they find it they exchange it for a party bag and that is them finished.
The End: Thanks them all for coming and hand each child a piece of birthday cake to take with them and don't forget their plaster pieces.
What an easy party, you end up with very little cleaning up and you will be stress free it can even be cheaper, easier and more fun than taking the children to a fast food restaurant.
This is just an outline of an easy party but it is up to you. the only word of warning is, as I have already covered: Don't make it to long, leave them wanting more.
| 
Party Tips & Games
