How to Host a Traditional Kids Party
Let's face it the traditional children's birthday party, like we used to have as kids, is hard work for the parents. There's food to make, balloons to blow up and, worst of all, a bunch of hyper-active children intent on wrecking your house.
You probably want to plan for a party of about two hours; in my experience it breaks down into about 20 minutes of running screaming while people arrive, an hour of games, 20 minutes of eating and 20 minutes more games/handing out party bags.
Check out our Kids Party Games page for party game ideas.
You're also going to want to pick a kids party theme, obviously this is one area the party boy or girl will have a strong opinion. Luckily there are hundreds to choose from, from the classics of Elmo, Barney to newer ones like Lego Ninjago.
As for the kids tea I'd suggest not deviating from the time-honoured selection of junk food:
- Sandwiches (jam, ham and cheese etc).
- Cookies
- Chips
- Carrot sticks, grapes, cut-up-apple etc (don't forget to include at least some healthy things)
- The Cake
- Juice boxes make things a lot easier and are generally less accident prone than open cups, also having plenty of water on hand is a good idea.
A neat idea, suggested by a reader, is to make individual, named, lunch boxes. On your invitation r.s.v.p. ask for the choice of sandwich/juice and then just make-up exactly what's needed rather than having to guess.
What you'll need
For serving the party food and decorating you can get themed sets. You'll probably want:
- Disposable table cloth
- Paper plates
- Napkins -- including extra to wrap the bits of cake in the party bag (that nobody eats)
- Food and drink (above)
Room decorations:
- Balloons (for the table and the road so that people can find your house easily)
- Banners and streamers
Other party essentials:
- Invitations
- Party bags & party favors
- Piñata (and candy to go in it)
- Kid's Party Music
- Portable CD player / other music source for playing the music
- Candles for the cake (checkout the link for some awesome candles that play music and open up)
- Matches / lighter to light the candles
- Knife for cutting the cake (if you don't hold the party at home)
- Prizes for any games that call for them
- Pass-the-parcel parcel(s) and any other props for the games
- Camera, video camera to catch the delighted expression on your child when you bring out the cake
- Possibly snacks/drinks for the adults if they are waiting around during the party
- Something to carry presents in, e.g. trash bag (if you're not having the party at home)
Party Themes
For every child the most important things about their party are: how many of their friends they can invite, and, what theme it is.
The answer to the first question depends on your pain threshold and tolerance for noise!
As to the theme we've put together a kids party theme chooser to help you find that perfect party theme.