Tick Box
Eight weeks prior to your event:
  • Choose a party theme with your child
  • Draw up the guest list. Enlist several adults to help the party run smoothly. For three to five year olds you ideally need around one adult for every four children and for six to ten year olds you will need one adult to every six children. Keep to 25 or less if possible.
  • Pick the party date and time. Parties are generally two to two and a half hours long.
  • Confirm your venue, entertainer, caterers etc before sending out invitation.
  • Remember to make sure that entertainers are 'Police Checked' and that all bookings have adequate liability insurance (especially bouncy castles). If hiring a bouncy castle make sure you set up a quiet colouring table as an alternative.
  • Try to incorporate some soft and/or free play for under 4’s.
  
Four weeks before the event:
 
  • Make or buy the invitations and send them out. You may also want to send a map. Ask for any special dietary requirements and check allergies i.e. use of hair sprays and face painting products etc.
  • Make or buy decorations, party bags and prizes. Make sure you have a couple of extra party bags – just in case.
  
Two weeks before the event:
 
  • Decide on activities and games to play. Consider the age of the children and plan games and activities accordingly. Plan more games than you expect to use, in case you run out of activities before the party is over.
  • Plan your menu.
  • Arrange for extra help on the party day from friends or relatives.
  • Order birthday cake
  
One week before the event:
 
  • Make any food that can be made ahead of time freeze.
  
One or two days before the party:
 
  • Write out a final schedule of activities for the party.
  • Buy remaining food for the party. Buy film and have your camcorder at the ready. Check batteries for the cameras.
  • Finish decorating the cake, or pick up the cake from the bakery. Make sure you have plenty of candles and matches.
  • Decorate any indoor areas (save outdoor decorating for the day of the party or event).
  
The day of the event:
 
  • Prepare food and drink that could not be made ahead of time
  • Set up any outdoor decorations and craft areas.
  • Plan a nap for your child.

    Remember, young guests are excited and there are bound to be mishaps. Keep your sense of humour, and even if every aspect of the party doesn’t go as planned, the most important part is to enjoy your child’s big day!

  
 
       

AN EVENT TO REMEMBER – TIPS FOR SUCCESS
  • Prepare a cake bar in each party bag to save the time taken to cut, wrap and distribute the cake leaving you time to enjoy the celebrations. You’ll be surprised how time consuming this unexpected activity can be. Alternatively serve the cake to your guests at the party – this can be their dessert.
  • Remember Safety – Lighter/matches for candles must be kept well out of reach.
  • Leave a piece of paper at the door for parents who are leaving their children to write down their contact details. If any adults stay, then ask them to be aware and careful with hot coffee/tea cups, glasses and any sharp cutlery or breakable crockery left on the floor or within easy reach of small hands!
  • Mix energetic and sitting down or quieter games i.e. sleeping lions is a fun game for most ages. Have a quieter game before food to settle everyone and an energetic one after.
  • Give someone the job of collecting presents at the start of the party. If anyone offers to help, accept it, leaving you more time to enjoy the proceedings.
  • Always have some back up games and prizes.
  • Don’t over cater – children don’t eat much.
  • To decorate a large room easily and quickly provide a helium filled balloon per child and clip them around the room. Each child then gets to take one home and the clear up is quick. Also make a feature of the cake on a small, decorated table with balloons behind and the presents can then be placed underneath.
  • Plan you child's party but don’t forget to enjoy it.
  

This Website is designed & maintained by Mark Summers
marksummers@btinternet.com