Just follow the simple tips below.
Begin your party planning early.
4-5 weeks in advance, if possible. Allow plenty of time for shopping,
cake orders and enlisting any friends or family you may want to help.
Pick a theme.
Whether it's an elaborate princess theme, or something easier—like Dora, Elmo or Curious
George—selecting a theme will help you organize your thoughts. Once you pick a theme, you can plan all
of your party supply purchases, games and decorations around it.
Don't sweat the little details.
Children remember what they did at a party, much more than what they
ate, what the plates and napkins looked like or whether the house was spotless.
The best party times
...are 1:00 - 3:00 or 2:00 - 4:00. You won't need to serve a meal but finger foods
are helpful. For little ones, try 10:00 - 11:30 to work around nap time.
The Invitation Equation:
Child's age + 2 = happy kids. For children under 8 years old,
invite as many children as the child's age plus one. Some parents choose to add to this
equation. Only you can know your limits.
Who to invite?
Parties for very young children, more often than not will include family
members; cousins, siblings, etc. As your child gets older, invite only his or her
closest playmates.
But I don't want to leave anyone out!
This is a common dilemma, especially when your
children begin to attend school. Try to be discreet by mailing the invitations. Speak
with the teacher about coming in for a brief and simple class party.
No tears!
Competitive games are enjoyable only for the people who win. A party should be fun. Avoid tantrums by selecting games where everyone gets a chance to succeed.
Be Prepared!
Try setting up your party in activity stations to lead the children in the direction of the party focus. The stations need not be fancy or expensive. The birthday child can pick what they want to do. Try blocks at one station, a dollhouse at another, Play-Doh at another etc.
Party Favors
When choosing party favors, it's better to spend more creativity than money. Give a nice thank you item that reflects the party theme; like modeling clay for an art party. You can even send the kids home with a treasure they've made during the party. The birthday child should hand out the favors. This will remind him or her to say "thank you".
And the most important tip:
Have fun and enjoy the celebration!