Great ideas and tips from Moms and party planners that will help make your next birthday party a success.
These tips and planning ideas may seem basic, but they really work! I remember when my kids were younger I served the cake right after the kids arrived for the party - then had to deal with all the sugar craziness.
But a friend told me to move the cake and ice cream to the end of the party and it made all the difference in the world. Such a simple thing, but it made all future parties run smoothly. Here are some other great tips from our readers.
Send us your party saver tips so other Moms and party planners can benefit from your tips.
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Serve the ice cream and cake (or any sweets) toward the end of the party. This way the kids won't be bouncing off the walls on a sugar high during the party.
On the invitation plan ahead for sticky party situations such as uninvited younger siblings wanting to stay for the party, if you want parents to attend the party or how to handle asking parents to pay for themselves at an off site venue. See our RSVP and invitation help page for ideas on how to handle RSVP and crazy party situations.
If you are having pizza ask the restaurant to cut the pizza into 10 or 12 slices instead of 8.
A good rule of thumb is to invite as many guests as the age of your child.
A piñata is always fun! Have the smallest kids go first and the sluggers at the end so everyone gets a turn to try and hit the piñata. Give the kids bags before they start to put candy in.
Have a 10 second rule that the kids have to wait 10 seconds to grab candy after the piñata has been opened.
Get a phone number on where you can reach parents as the kids are coming in. This way if there is an accident or you need to send one of them home you have a correct number.
2 hours is usually
enough time for a party for a grade school child.
Elimination
games don't work as well for younger children - if you play them
make sure you have something to do for the ones who are "out".
Write out a schedule for the party in 15 minute segments. Lisa P.
Instead of paper cups (which always get spilled anyway) get bottled drinks with sports tops on (less likely to get spilled) and put each child's name on a sticker on each one. No confusion - less waste.
For younger children draw something they recognize - My little 3 year old loves Superman so we draw the logo next to his name! - FancyFace from Kent, UK
Be sure and write your first name on the invitation so guests who RSVP won't have to ask for "Billy's mom". Janet - NY more invitation tips
Make a list of lots of games to play. Kids run through the games in a hurry and it's great to have more ideas ready. - Caligirl - CA
Party Games
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