Planning a kid’s party is something that sounds as though it should be simple, but like any event, it has the potential to be stressful!
If you want to plan a great kids’ party and maintain your cool at the same time, there are a few tips that will help you along the way.
- Make a budget
Before you get started, be sure to make a budget. It’s really important that you know what you can afford so that you don’t inadvertently overspend.
Once you have your budget, it’s much easier to make decisions because your budget will naturally rule out some options.
- Keep it simple
Rule number one for planning a successful children’s party is to keep it simple. If you have many different things to organize, you may find that it becomes overwhelming trying to keep on top of it all.
Some ways that you can keep your party simple are:
- Food. You don’t need to go crazy getting lots of different food or making something really special. Most kids are happy with something simple, particularly at a party. Party food classics like sandwiches, cake, cut-up fruit, and some crisps will make everyone happy, and you can make (or buy) it all ahead of time, so you don’t need to do too much prep on the day.
- Venue. A party in the back garden is just as much fun as a party at a venue, and it removes the headache of paying deposits, negotiating times, and booking the date you want.
- Decorations. You only need a few decorations to make your party look special, if you choose wisely. It’s really effective to decorate to a theme (for example, under the sea, dinosaurs, or pirates), as this creates a strong overall impression.
- Entertainment
It’s worth thinking about the entertainment for your party because this is probably the thing that the children will remember the most fondly.
Good quality entertainers will also keep the kids’ attention so that you can have a bit of a breather, so it’s worth choosing one with a good reputation.
Websites like Alivenetwork.com have a huge range of children’s party entertainers, and they even offer risk-free bookings with covid cover.
- Enlist help
One of the best ways to make your job as a host easier is to get some help.
Consider making your party a joint party so that the cost and responsibility of planning are shared with another parent. Some children like this too because it removes the pressure from them of being the sole focus of the day – of course, this varies from child to child!
If you don’t want to make the party a joint party, think about asking your friends and relatives to pitch in and help. Most people are more than happy to help out making snacks, hanging decorations, or running errands.
- Choosing the date and time
When you choose to hold the party will depend on your schedule, but you can choose a day and time to minimize stress for you.
For example, holding a party on a Sunday means that you have more time to prepare. So if you like to have a lot of time for planning, then this could be a good option.
However, if you (or your child) tend to need some recovery time from big events, then a Saturday party could be a good choice.
Think about which date and time will most benefit you when planning your party so that you minimize stress and anxiety and that everyone enjoys themselves.