Tip number one: Keep them busy!
Look at hiring a jumping castle (only for kids over 3, it's a bit lost on the younger ones).
Have some for of activity- colouring in is great, puzzles for older kids, video games if indoors.
You can also do a themed pinned the nose on the donkey, musical chairs, or treasure hunt.
Tip number two: Keep their tummy's full
Kid's are so busy running about and playing at party's that they often don't eat. Have small snack items on the tables that they can grab and eat in between. Mini burgers, hotdogs, pizza's, etc. Don't get too fancy or the kids wont eat it. Also keep them hydrated!
Tip number three: Party packs
My theory is a party pack is your revenge on the parents for having to look after their child for the whole day! But they are a nice idea and have become expected of late. There are so many app's for creating artwork- download one and design a nice sticker for your party packs and then fill them with a few sweeties.
Tip number four: Birthday Cake
A must for every party! This is one place parents often go over board and end up wasting money. Remember if your child is younger than 4, they won't really appreciate a work of art cake that costs and arm and a leg. Get a nice slab cake with a picture of the birthday child printed on (now done at most baking stores), or an ice cream cake that can double up as dessert.
For the older kids you can start having some fun- and boy are there some amazing cakes that can be done! Even cupcakes are a great idea, but be warned, you will be wasting your money if you do both cupcakes and a big cake- Rather do then a cake for the kids and cupcakes for the adults.
Tip number 5: Take into account the weather
It really is a bummer when a great outdoor party is planned in July. Take the weather into consideration and make sure you have a back up plan if your party in in between seasons. Chances are, Murphy's law, it will rain, it will be cold on the day. etc. So make sure you have something in mind for bringing all the kids indoors, or getting a gazebo or something. There's nothing worse than having all these great activities planned and then none of them can be done because of the weather and then the kids sit bored inside the house.
Tip number six: Hire a party planner!
If your kids party includes lots of family and the whole playschool and neighborhood block- take the stress off yourself and get someone in to help. They can supply the kiddies tables, chairs, organize the jumping castle, birthday cake, food, etc. Have a budget and tell them what you want to spend, they might even be able to do more with your money than you could have because they buy in bulk and you wont have extra wastage.
I hope this helps with your next birthday celebration!
And remember- we celebrate birthdays for the joy of life- don't loose sight of that!
