Not sure where to start when it comes to planning your child’s big day? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled the ultimate guide of useful advice on how to plan a kid’s birthday party. From guest lists and entertainment to tasty party food, here are our top birthday party tips!
Top tips for hosting a children’s birthday party:
- Start with the basics
- Set a guest list and send invitations
- Decide on entertainment and activities
- Plan the party food
- Decorate and gather supplies
1. Start with the basics
First things first, you’ll want to think about the basics. This means when and where your party will be held.
Your party’s date will often depend upon the type of venue you’re choosing and when in the week your child’s birthday falls. For summer and school-holiday birthdays, weekday parties are fine. Otherwise, you’ll want to choose a weekend date near your child’s birthday. Of course, depending on the venue, you might need to be somewhat flexible. If you’re hosting the party at your home or that of a relative or friend, you’ll have much more leeway.
Timing is also an important factor to consider. You’ll want to choose a time slot that fits around normal mealtimes — often before or after lunch. It’s usually a smart choice to hold parties for younger children before lunch, as this is when they are least likely to be tired. It also means children don’t get impatient waiting all day for their party to begin.
2. Set a guest list and send invitations
Once you’ve chosen a venue and a date, you’ll need to think about your guest list. If your child is not yet in nursery or school, your guest list will probably be comprised of family and friends. If your child is in nursery or school, you might want to invite some or all of their classmates. Before you do this, check with your child’s school on their invitation policy—some schools ask parents to invite the whole class to avoid anyone feeling left out.
As you plan, you’ll also want to consider whether you’ll be welcoming parents and siblings. If it’s a party for the whole family, make sure to note this on the invitation. If the children are slightly older and you’d prefer a ‘drop-off’ party, be sure to note that as well.
When you’re happy with your guest list, you’ll need to send invitations. Some parents prefer old-fashioned cards or paper invitations, while others appreciate the convenience of online invitations. It’s ultimately up to you, but whatever method you choose, be sure to include all the key information: date, time (including ending time), venue, who’s welcome, etc. You should also add an RSVP request so you can get an idea of the numbers. As part of the RSVP, ask parents to let you know if their child has any allergies or dietary requirements.
Once guests begin responding, you’ll know how many party bags you need to assemble, what kind of activities you can plan and how much food you’ll need to prepare.
3. Decide on entertainment and activities
Activities are always a fun and memorable part of children’s birthday parties. Some hired venues include activities as part of their fee — for instance, petting zoos or trampoline parks. But if you’re holding a party at home or in a hired hall, there are all kinds of options you can plan yourself, no matter your budget.
For instance, you can prepare some highly entertaining party games for free with just a few household items — grab a broomstick and blast some music for a fun game of Limbo or set up a Mini Olympics with relay races and an obstacle course. If you have a higher budget to work with, you might even book a bouncy castle or a children’s party entertainer, like a magician.
4. Plan the party food
Everyone loves party food! To save yourself stress, begin planning your party food well in advance. Once you know how many children and/or adults are coming, you can begin to calculate what you’ll need. For instance, you might plan for a couple of sandwich triangles or pizza slices per child. For some more detailed party food inspiration, check out our ultimate party food guide!
And of course, don’t forget the birthday cake! If you’re making your own, be sure that you have all the ingredients you need to avoid any last-minute panicked runs to the shops. If you’re attempting an elaborately decorated cake, it might be worth practising once or twice… and don’t forget to enjoy those bonus slices of cake! If you’re ordering a custom cake, be sure to place your order as far in advance as possible to be sure you can get exactly what you want, when you want it.
5. Decorate and gather supplies
What’s a party without decorations? To make things as easy and cohesive as possible, it’s usually best to choose a theme and then decorate around it. You can buy pre-made decorations online, or get crafty with some art supplies and whatever you have around the house. For example, you might have some fun with balloons — fill clear balloons with theme-appropriate confetti, or construct an elaborate balloon arch. Or you might make your own bunting (and this doubles as an excellent craft project for kids). If you’re in need of more inspiration, we’ve got loads more party decoration ideas here.
You’ll also need to prepare party supplies, including your party bags and contents, birthday candles, a lighter or matches and speakers for music. If you’re having an outdoor party in the garden or the park, you’ll probably want to bring a rubbish bag or two with you so that you can tidy up after yourselves.
And last but not least, you’ll want to pick up a pack of ‘thank you’ cards to send out after the party. After all, you want your guests to know how much you appreciated their present and their presence!
Looking for some brilliant gift ideas for a child’s birthday? Check out the toys and games on our website!
What do monsters serve at their birthday parties? I scream cake!
