Party Planner
That Special Event
A birthday party is a special event. Your kids will be counting the days to the party, and some of that excitement can go into their share of the preparations.
The Secret of a Successful Childrens Party
The secret of a successful children's party is organisation, and you can avoid any last minute panic by following our kids party planner. The very first thing to do is decide on the date and where the party is to be held. Remember that some venues and childrens entertainers need to be booked months in advance.
4 weeks before your party
- Select a party theme. Themed kid's parties are great fun and give a framework to plan the party decorations, party tableware, party food and party games.Licensed themed kids parties such as a Disney Princess party, Spiderman party, Thomas the Tank Engine party, Dora the Explorer party or Disney Fairies party are always popular, as are the more generic kids party themes such as a Dinosaur party, Football party, Fairies party or Pirate party.
- Make a guest list. Include friends from playgroup, school and close relatives.
- Pick the party time. Be specific about the starting and finishing times, and restrict the time to 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours depending on the age group of the children.
- Order your party supplies. Include party invitations, party tableware, balloons and decorations, party bag presents, music, and party activities and games. Don't forget prizes for the party games.
3 weeks before your party
- Send out the party invitations. Let siblings invite a special friend so they won't feel left out.
- Plan the party games and activities, considering the age of the children. The first half hour can be awkward, so break the ice with an activity like making their own party hats or decorating party bags. Always plan more games than you need.
- Plan the party food. Do not overdo quantities and keep it simple.
- Order your birthday cake if you are not making your own or buying from a supermarket. Try to link to the party theme if possible.
- Managing a childrens party on your own can be hard work, so enlist some extra adult help from relatives, friends or parents.
1 week before your party
- Make any party food that can freeze, including the birthday cake if making your own.
- Confirm the birthday cake order.
- Make a final schedule of activities for the party, including music.
- If you are having a party entertainer, reconfirm the date, time and address of the party, the age and number of the children attending and how long the entertainer will be there for.
2 days before your party
- Call any RSVP's who have not responded.
- Draw up a final guest list.
- Buy any remaining food for the party, including the birthday cake if not making your own.
- Make up the party bags.
- Sort out the party clothes.
- Ensure you have film for your camera and spare batteries.
- Ensure you have birthday candles and matches. Themed candles are great fun.
1 day before your party
- Decorate the birthday cake or collect from the cake decorator.
- Decorate the house and child proof the party area. Some venues may not allow you access until the party day, so arrange your time accordingly.
- Prepare the party games and activities.
- Organise a first aid kit in case of any accidents.
- Prepare any party food that can be made the day ahead.
Party Day
- Make any fresh food and drinks.
- Blow up balloons. Children love to take a balloon home, so either fill with helium or air fill and attach to a balloon stick.
- Set the birthday table and lay out the food. Confetti, streamers, party blowouts and party hats all add to the party fun.
- Decorate the front door with balloons and a party banner to let everyone know where the party is.
- And finally – relax and enjoy this very special day.
