June 20, 2019

So you want to host a children’s birthday party? You can go as simple or as elaborate as you’d like, but there are some things to keep in mind if you want to have a successful party, pleasing both the kids and parents.

GUEST LIST

Like any party, you really need to nail your guest list before anything else so you can ensure you have enough space in the venue you end up choosing to host at.

1. If your child is in school, refer to their class list(s) from the previous two years. The kids your child still talks to!
2. Do they play sports? Ask the coach for the roster.
3. Do you live in a neighborhood? Reach out to your neighbors.
4. And don’t forget your family!

If you choose to host the birthday party at an entertainment place such as an arcade, bounce house, laser tag, etc., keep in mind they have a minimum and maximum number of players in order to book. Make sure you tell these places the number of kids vs. adults because that will make a difference.

If you host the party at your house, you don’t have to worry so much about exact numbers. Just make sure you have enough space in your house for all the running around!

Helpful tip: If the party is in your home, consider having signs around your house so guests know where to find things. That will avoid them having to ask you the simple questions. Do you have parking around your home? If you don’t, make sure that’s clear on the invitation.

THEME

One of the most excited parts of a birthday party for a child is picking the theme. There are so many great themes to choose from, and every year there are more options based on the latest movies or trends that have come out.

We’ve listed a few fun themes that can work for any child, no matter the age (to an extent of course).

• Nautical/beach
• Pool party
• Safari
• Circus
• Camping
• Pajama Party
• Ice Cream/Cotton Candy
• Outer Space/Spaceship
• Mad Science
• Karaoke/Rock Stars
• Movie Night
• Animal party (kittens, puppies, chicks, etc.)
• Pottery/Crafts

While there are many gender neutral themes, there are some themes that work better for a boy vs. girl. Let’s start with girl party themes. Sometimes you need your venue to think of the theme, and sometimes a theme can be applied in any location.

• Mermaid
• Cowgirl
• Royalty/Princess party
• Candy/Cupcakes/Sweets
• Glam Party (get hair/makeup done)
• Tea Party
• Unicorn/Fairy Tale
• Llamas

And now on to boy party themes!

• Legos
• Baseball, Football, Soccer, Basketball, Golf (or any sports!)
• Karate/Wrestling
• Cowboy
• Planes/Trains/and Automobiles
• Dinosaurs
• Army Adventure
• Pirate

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GAMES & ACTIVITIES

Once you have that venue and theme in place, research games and activities that the kids will enjoy. It’s important to have at least one focal game or activity that brings everyone together. It does not have to consist of the entire party but if you don’t have a “main attraction”, it’s hard to keep a timely order to the party.

Also make sure to have activities for the adults as well as the kids. The kids will be enjoying the games, so it is always a good idea to have something for the parents to enjoy in the meantime.

Helpful tip: Avoid messy crafts to make for an easy clean up. It is a good idea to stay away from glue, glitter, and paint when having so many kids in one space.

FOOD

Our favorite part of planning any party is choosing the menu! Remember to have options for both kids and adults. If you host the party at a home or non-children’s event venue, consider having a bar for the adults. They will thank you later!

Also, make sure to acknowledge any dietary restrictions among the kids. There are a bunch of allergies out there so when you send out your RSVPs, leave a line for guests to tell you what their child needs to avoid. It’s not always possible to accommodate every allergy which is fine, just make sure the parents know that going into the party so they can provide an alternate meal.

What to bring to the party?

• Goodie bags
• Cake, candles, cake knife/server
• Plates, cups, flatware (plastic is fine!)
• Decorations
• Pen & paper to write down gifts

Also, accidents happen! Make sure to bring a small emergency bag to your venue (if the part is not at home).

• First aid kit
• Extra clothing (shirt, pants, socks, under ware)
• Hand sanitizer
• Paper towels
• Extra craft tools
• Extra goodie bags (for kids who bring siblings unannounced)

Overwhelmed?

We all know parents have extra busy lives, between work and taking care of the kids there’s a lot to manage on a daily basis. If you don’t want to worry about a thing, call a professional! We love planning little one’s biggest event of the year. It also gives you time to focus on your child and enjoying the party yourself.

-Ohana Events