We all know how important it is to throw a party that both your child and their guests will love. It can be tricky to get it ‘perfect’ in your eyes, but there are some simple ways in which you can make it absolutely perfect for them. Here are our top tips to getting your child’s birthday party just right:
Invites
There is always at least one friend that a child will want to invite that, if they do not attend, it will be like the end of the world for your child. For this reason, it is super important to send out invites sooner rather than later. Be specific with them and tell people when to RSVP by, otherwise you may not hear from people and spend ages chasing them to find out if they’ll be gracing you with their presence. Any specific instructions, such as a fancy dress theme or the need to bring something with them, should also be on the invitation. Think also about who to invite. Will it be your child’s friends from school or family, too, making it more of a family reunion?
Location
For some people, it is easier to pay for a venue that comes along with entertainment and food included. However, if you prefer to organize things yourself, you could hire a venue and do all the extra bits independently. You may also wish to host yourself in your backyard, meaning less travel and having lots of things on hand should you need them.
Entertainment
A lot of kids can entertain themselves with a bit of music and some soft play equipment or ride-on vehicles, for example. Investing in backyard kids bounce houses can make life a lot easier, though, as what kid can resist jumping up and down for hours on end? You could also consider paying out to have a magician or Disney princess visit, doing most of the hard work for you. Alternatively, rather than paying lots of money out on party bag contents, allow children to take part in lots of different craft-based activities, taking home what they have made.
Food
Allergies and intolerances seem to be on the rise, so if you are providing food for the guests, you must ensure that parents have informed you of dietary requirements in advance. Where children have allergies, it is much better to avoid that allergen altogether in the food rather than just omitting it from one child’s food options. Lunch boxes are a great idea. Rather than having a buffet which can cause concerns about overeating, hygiene and general mess, you put items into the boxes and hand them out. If you are planning to do this, ask beforehand what sandwich or roll filling they would prefer. It can also work out cheaper this way. Do not forget to provide a selection of drinks, too. Avoid fizzy drinks which can get spilled everywhere and also don’t mix well with running around. Small bottles of water, orange or blackcurrant work well.
