After many years as a birthday party mom, I’ve accumulated lots of children’s party ideas that may help make your birthday party stress free and fun. I hope the following tips will aid you in your birthday party planning:

Set the Party Date: It’s sometimes difficult to host a party on your child’s actual birthday. This day can be reserved for a celebration with just immediate family and grandparents. Whatever date you choose, be sure to mail out invitations at least 2-3 weeks in advance. 

Set the Party Time: Your child’s age should determine the length of the party. For children ages three and four, two hours should be enough time for the party including time for finger foods, cake and opening presents. School age children can handle a longer party. Be specific as to the party’s starting and ending times. With younger children, it is also wise to invite parents to help supervise their own children.

Choose A Party Theme: Children are often excited to be involved in choosing their favorite theme. Start by sitting down with your child and discussing a theme together. If he doesn’t have a theme in mind, look for areas of interest by talking about what is most interesting to him. Here are some websites to visit:
      amazingmoms.com/htm/KidsBirthdayParties.htm
      birthdaypartyideas.com/html/party_ideas.html
      boardmanweb.com/party/party_themes.htm                                    

How Many Guests: It can be a touchy situation deciding who to invite to the party. Seasoned party planners feel that the age of the child plus one equals a nice party guest list. Having too large of a guest list can be overwhelming to young children—too much noise and action. Also think about your budget; a large number of guests requires a large amount of food and favors. Professional planners feel that very large parties should be saved for milestone birthdays, such as age 10 or sweet 16. 

Getting Ready:  Once you and your child have decided on a theme, you can focus on invitations, decorations, games, food and favors. Many party stores have these products grouped by themes. Also, think about using disposables. After the party, you can wrap all the cups, plates, and such up in the disposable tablecloth, drop it in a garbage bag and toss it. Not only is clean-up easier, but you will not have to worry about broken dishes. Helium balloons are a favorite of children and great for decorations along with crepe paper streamers and banners. It might be nice to have as many balloons as there are children, so each child can take one home as a favor. Welcome your guests with balloons attached to your mailbox or a fixture in front of your home. 

 What about Party Food?  Are you puzzled about what to serve?  Easy to handle foods such as hot dogs and pizza are standard. Apple juice is still a favorite. Try to make snacks low in sugar and high in nutrition, such as pieces of fruit, cut-up veggies, raisins and cheese and crackers. Consider using cupcakes instead of cake and don’t forget the ice cream. If you prefer to serve a more nutritious birthday cake, try angel food or carrot cake topped with frozen yogurt.

Fun and Games:  Plan some games to entertain the children at the party. Traditional games from the past are still party favorites, such as Pin the Tail on the Donkey (or any character you choose), or Musical Chairs. Older children may enjoy going on a Scavenger Hunt. You may want to plan a make-and-take craft for the children to do together.  It’s best to give prizes to all the participants and possibly a special one for the winner. Try these websites for party game ideas:
            amazingmoms.com/htm/partygames.htm
            partygameideas.com/birthdaypartygames.htm

It’s Time To Open Presents: This is often the most exciting part of the party for the birthday child as well as the other children. To help solve the problem of who gets their gift opened first, try to make a game out of it. Have the children sit in a circle. Put on some music and have the children pass the presents around the circle.  When the music stops, the present the birthday child is holding at that time is the one that gets opened. You can do this until all gifts have been opened.

Protect Your Pets: Fido and Kitty may not be excited about all the children and noise that have invaded their territory.  It’s best to keep your pets separated from the party area. All it takes is one child to be bitten or scratched to ruin your event, not to mention a possible lawsuit.

Say Thank You: It’s a good habit and a common courtesy to send thank you notes to all the guests. One great party idea is to have a picture taken with the birthday child and each friend. Get the film developed quickly and get double prints.  When your child writes his notes, enclose each individual’s picture in the envelope. Writing thank you notes teaches your child from an early age the importance of gratitude and the guests and their parents will enjoy the picture as a remembrance of a fun occasion.

Tania Cowling is a freelance writer and author of teacher resource books. Her work has appeared in many parenting magazines and Internet sites.  She lives in south Florida.

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for great ideas of where to host your child's next party!