By: Niki Adler
With the right kids' birthday party ideas, you can create an experience that is fun, cost-effective, and memorable.
Themes and Starting Points
For most children, the birthday party is all about the theme. If you build the event around a favorite cartoon character or television show, half your work is already done. Most party stores, supermarkets, catalogs or Web sites offer an array of themed paper plates, napkins and favors.
Likewise, the party can also carry a generic theme, such as construction, pirates, princesses, a favorite sport, ponies or the circus. Let the guest of honor's preferences be the driving force; after all, you're striving to create their "day of all days." But keep in mind what the guests might enjoy, too.
Once you've settled on a theme, it's time to select a venue. Do you have the space or the patience to host the event at your home? If not, you will need to find a suitable location that will be appropriate rain or shine. Some parks will allow you to reserve a picnic pavilion so you'll have a place to serve cake and ice cream between games. But, if weather is a concern, you may be better off sticking with an indoor facility so you won't have to watch the weather report with bated breath.
Where to Have the Party
The bowling alley is a popular option that includes both genders and several age groups. Most alleys will accommodate a birthday party for kids, and they offer package deals that are priced per child and include a predetermined number of games, as well as shoe rentals. Ice rinks and indoor batting cages offer similar activities that keep you from coming up with additional games to occupy the guests.
Other options include beauty parlors, some of which offer manicure or makeover parties for girls. Science and art museums also host kids birthday parties, often providing a host to lead children through games like dinosaur digs or painting.
Is a much-anticipated movie coming out sometime near your child's birthday? If so, consider a trip to the movies, complete with popcorn for each guest. If you ask in advance, the theater may be able to advise you about birthday party packages, or tell you when the most or least crowded times are.
Timing Is Everything
During kids' birthday party planning, be sure to include both a start and an end time on your invitations so parents know when to pick their children up. Otherwise, you may be stuck babysitting some lingering guests all day while their parents enjoy the time off.
Two to three hours is the typical length, unless the party is a sleepover. But even sleepovers should include a time when parents will be expected to retrieve their children. You will also want to know if their children have any special nighttime needs, such as a night light or extra quiet.
Try to be flexible about the start time if you can. Expect guests to trickle in or arrive late, and be available to help them jump right in and enjoy the activity at hand.
If you expect guests' parents to stay, be sure to let them know in advance, and don't count on them helping you distribute napkins or lead kids' birthday party activities. Parents should be expected to stay only if the guests are very young or you are planning an activity that requires a special skill, such as swimming. If you think parents will stay, plan to offer them refreshments, too.
Let Them Eat Cake
A birthday cake is the centerpiece of the celebration and often reflects the theme. Whether it's an expensive bakery creation or something you put together at home from a mix, everyone will be looking forward to it.
You don't need to be a pastry chef to create something your child will love. Several family magazines and Web sites offer ideas for simple cake decorations that don't require specialized skill. If you want to try something different, some kitchen stores, cooking-themed catalogs and Web sites offer cupcake stands, which allow you to group cupcakes in a tree- or pyramid-shaped rack for a fun presentation. As an added benefit, you won't have to cut the cake.
Keep Them Busy
The best party is the one that children don't want to leave. For two to three hours, it is your job to keep all the guests happy. For most children, that means keeping them busy.
If you are hosting your party at a venue with a built-in activity, such as a pool, miniature golf course or video arcade, your job is fairly easy: Just keep an eye on the group and make sure everyone is safe and having fun.
If you opt to host your party at home or in a venue that is more open, such as a park, plan on keeping everyone occupied. They might make jewelry, cook, create ice cream sundaes, paint, or play traditional games like musical chairs or Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Ambitious hosts might try a scavenger hunt; hosts with enough open space might have a pinata. Remember: It's your kids' birthday party, but they'll cry if they want to. Busy kids have less time to contemplate meltdowns.
