How To Throw A Great Children’s Party

How To Throw An Awesome Children’s Party

For Your Kids That YOU Will Enjoy

Don’t Serve Complicated Food!

Avoid food that requires more preparation than “Open packet. Dump on tray.” If you absolutely must serve something you felt like you actually put effort into, slap together a fruit platter… then you can feel like you’ve offered a healthy alternative to put next to the sea of chips, lollies, and chocolate biscuits.

UNLESS you really want to. I have to admit I do love going a little overboard on the cake. But that’s just me.

Invite People You Like

Invite a balance of people your kid likes, and people you like. Your kid doesn’t even have to know them. They don’t even have to have kids. Just make sure there’s a few people there who you feel comfortable with. I am pretty social person but I still need a few people in my corner to make me feel confident enough to be a good host.

Serve Wine

I used to worry about what the school mums might think that I give them a full wine list to choose from on arrival to my kid’s party when it doesn’t seem like anyone else in the area serves wine at parties. I don’t care. Everyone is happier with a glass of wine in their hand. Or at least I’m happier with a glass of wine in my hand and that is all that matters. 

Don’t Stress

Easier said than done, but it’s just a kid’s party. This will not make or break their childhood. They will be okay if it turns out not to be a fabulous party. They don’t need to have a detailed, complicated, well executed theme. Do that is that makes you feel happy, but don’t do it for them – they don’t really care if every single item of food served somehow related to an overarching theme.

For my son’s  6th birthday party I made EVERYTHING was dinosaur themed… the cake, cupcakes, biscuits, decorations – everything – then I cried on his birthday, because it rained and I’d put SO MUCH into it that I was genuinely heartbroken when the day wasn’t perfect. Don’t do that to yourself. It’s not worth it.

Forget About Rules And Faux Pas

Who cares if every other child gets to invite their whole class – do what is practical (and affordable) for you. You don’t have to give you out party bags (nobody actually wants an extra handful of lollies and a plastic whistle anyway). You don’t have to plan games and activities – the party activity can just be the party itself. Nobody needs a fancy cake – a chocolate mud cake from woolies with a couple of candles in it will do the trick. You don’t need to hire a face painter, entertainer, petting zoo – nothing. None of it.

Unless of course you want to! Then go right ahead! You don’t have to not do those things just, because someone else doesn’t. (Did that triple negative work out in the end…?) 

Have The Party Wherever Works For You

Are you sensing a little bit of a theme here? An all inclusive party at a playcentre that will provide absolutely everything – and clean it all up after you leave – might be perfect for you! Or a BBQ in your own backyard might be more comfortable for you. Or picnic in a playground, or a trip to the movies, at Maccas or the local pub. Host the party wherever you want! Wherever your family are going to feel most comfortable and have the most fun!

Stick To Your Budget

There is nothing more stressful than money – or not having enough of it. Kid’s parties can be really cheap if they need to be. Keep the numbers low if you have to. Avoid having the party at a meal time – so you only have to serve minimal food. If you want to have activities stick to really simple things, like this Frozen themed party where the food and activities cost $35 – everything else is optional. So you can relax and enjoy the day without fretting over how badly it hit your hip pocket.

So, what do you do for your children’s parties? How do you make them easier on yourself?