Planning a kid’s birthday can be much more challenging than most parents think. Kids operate on a different level, and sometimes what makes sense to us doesn’t necessarily make sense to them. If your kid’s birthday is coming up, and you feel lost, we might have a few tips that can help you. Here’s how you can plan the perfect birthday party for your kid!
Pick a Theme and Stick With It
Throwing a themed birthday is always a good way to surprise your kid. If your kid is a toddler, you’ll have an easier time figuring out something that works. However, if your kid is older, just talk to them and figure out what they want. After all, it’s their party, not yours.
Be prepared to set up the scene that matches whatever the latest popular cartoon is, or a superhero movie. Again, if you ask your kid, they’ll tell you exactly what’s been preoccupying their imagination lately. For small kids and toddlers, it’s always a great idea to hire a magician, because both kids and parents love magic tricks. Finding a good magician is a great way to make the night more interesting for all parties involved!
The Where
Once you have the theme figured out, it’s time to set the date and location for the party. Not everyone can host a party in their home for a number of reasons. If you can’t have the party at your place, make sure to look for venues on time. Birthdays celebrations happen literally every day, so make sure to book a venue well in advance.
Indoor venues aren’t your only choice. Think of outdoor places, like the beach or a park. There’s plenty of flexibility as far as locations go. If you’re organizing a party outdoors, just make sure you’re in compliance with your local laws and regulations.
The When
The time and date of your party are an essential piece of the puzzle. You’ll want to set a time that works for you, but also for other parents. Weekends are perfect as they give you the highest chances of getting everyone at your place for the party. When you figure out the time and date, make invites and send them well in advance.
If your kid is mainly calling over their friends from school, ask them who they want to come to their party and then give them the invites to share. Whatever you do, make sure that you give yourself and other parents enough time to plan for the party, find a gift, and more.
Food and Drinks
Food is always a tough question as far as children’s parties go. Kids are incredibly picky with what they eat. That being said, bite-sized tasty foods seem to do the trick. If you really want to be the star of your neighborhood, get some mini pizzas and chicken nuggets. Kids love those more than anything else, and they can just grab them off the table. Tasty and convenient — you can’t go wrong with that.
Of course, before you put any food on the table, consult with other parents regarding any allergies and other dietary requirements. Once you get everyone’s information, try to be as accommodating as possible.
Also, always get more food and drinks than you think you’ll need. It’s much better to deal with leftovers than hungry kids.
Get a Cake
That being said, there’s a good chance your little party guests won’t be that interested in food right until the moment you bring out the cake. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t cut corners on, it’s the cake. Get a flavor that your kid loves and make sure it comes from a place that knows how to make quality sweets.
Better yet, if you’re no stranger to baking, make the cake yourself! That way you’ll know exactly what ingredients were used, and you get to dictate the size, shape, and flavor. Of course, baking a cake is always cheaper, so this works out if you’re on a budget.
Decorate the Place
Last but not least, decorate the place where the party is taking place. Birthday decorations are what make the party for most kids. Be creative and don’t be afraid to go overboard. Your kid will appreciate it, and so will all of their friends!
Have a Good Time
Taking responsibility for a bunch of kids can be a daunting task, especially if you’re in it alone. Even so, try to have fun. It’s your kid’s birthday and how you handle it will definitely be a part of their experience.