| Kids' birthday parties today are a lot different today | | | | providing a dessert the kids will love. |
| than they were when most moms were kids. In many | | | | What are the best games for young kids? |
| communities, throwing kids' birthday parties has almost | | | | Little kids will enjoy listening to and singing familiar |
| become a competitive sport. | | | | songs, clapping their hands or following simple hand |
| Your kid's party should be about fun, not competition. | | | | motions. The stories, songs, and games they know |
| And birthday parties should never put kids in the | | | | from pre-school will be popular at parties, as well. Ask |
| position of comparing levels of party extravagance. | | | | your child or your child's teacher for favorites. Have |
| The key to having a great birthday party? First, | | | | enough activities planned to start a new one every 10 |
| remember that it's about your kid-not anyone else's. | | | | or 15 minutes, if necessary. |
| Plan your party around your own child's interests, and | | | | A treasure hunt can also work, and easily be |
| what you're family is comfortable doing. | | | | customized to fit almost any theme-e.g., the kids |
| Start planning the party at least 4 to 6 weeks in | | | | search for the pirates' "gold" or the princess's "jewels." |
| advance so you have plenty of time to take care of | | | | Just be sure that moms and dads or other party |
| everything-if that's what you want to do and are able | | | | helpers are there to help the kids as they follow clues |
| to do. If you decide to hire a party entertainer or book | | | | and look for the hidden treasure. |
| a birthday party venue, make your calls about three | | | | Should I hire a party entertainer? |
| months in advance, to be sure the date and time you | | | | Hiring a party entertainment pro is an increasingly |
| want is available. | | | | popular option. Party clowns, magicians, and other |
| Here are some of the most common questions that | | | | entertainers can, of course, take charge of all the |
| moms ask about planning kids' birthday parties, and | | | | birthday party activities. |
| some common-sense answers. | | | | Party pros can lower your hassle and stress levels, |
| How many kids should I invite? | | | | because they're prepared to handle almost any |
| If the party is for a child under age 5, and parents are | | | | situation. They do this all the time. They're tuned into |
| invited to stay, the number of kids won't be a big | | | | the signs that a little girl isn't engaged, or two boys |
| factor. The parents will supervise their own children, so | | | | aren't getting along, or that all the kids are getting antsy |
| you'll be able to concentrate more on yours. | | | | and it's time to move on to a new activity. |
| Some experts maintain that kids are old enough to be | | | | Another option: Bring the party elsewhere. There are |
| dropped off at parties once they're about 5 or 6 years | | | | plenty of party venues that can keep your child and his |
| old. By that time, most have been in playgroups, | | | | or her friends occupied from the second the first guest |
| pre-schools, and possibly, kindergarten. That means | | | | arrives 'til the last happy child is picked up. |
| they should have the social skills they need to play | | | | Are there any special party "Do's and Don'ts?" |
| nicely with other kids and have a good time. | | | | A definite "Do" is to let kids be creative. Coloring, |
| The general rule of thumb on how many kids to invite: | | | | painting, putting stickers on objects, making badges, |
| your child's age plus one. | | | | bracelets, decorating inexpensive hats, or working on |
| What time should I have the party? | | | | other craft projects will keep kids amused and happy. |
| The best time for the party also will depend on the | | | | In fact, letting young kids create or decorate their own |
| guests' ages. For babies and toddlers, consider | | | | party favors is a great way to keep them occupied |
| naptimes. Scheduling the party so that it ends by noon | | | | during the first 15 or so minutes of the party, when |
| is probably a good idea. For slightly older children, | | | | everyone is arriving. |
| parties can begin by 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. and end at 3 p.m. | | | | Another "Do" is to have refreshments for the parents, |
| or 4 p.m. | | | | especially if you've asked them to stay at the party. |
| How long should the party last? | | | | And "Do" be gracious if unexpected siblings show up. |
| An hour for kids under age five, and an hour-and-a-half | | | | Have enough food for a few more people, and one or |
| to two hours for older kids should be perfect. State a | | | | two extra goodie bags, just in case. |
| pick-up time on the invitation, so parents know exactly | | | | Here's a big-time "Don't:" Regardless of the activities |
| when to get their young partygoers. | | | | you have planned for your child's birthday party, never |
| Is there a guideline to choosing party decorations? | | | | let any child feel left out or unhappy because he or |
| Just make everything colorful-Use your child's favorite | | | | she isn't chosen for a team or is eliminated from a |
| color and carry a one-, two-, three-, or multi-color | | | | game. Encourage participation, cooperation, and team |
| scheme through with balloons, plates, napkins, serving | | | | effort, not individual competition. |
| bowls, tablecloth, and goodie bags. | | | | Should we open gifts at the party? |
| Decorations will also reflect the theme your child | | | | There are two schools of thought on opening birthday |
| chooses. Once you and your child have decided on a | | | | presents. The first is to wait until after the party is |
| theme, the easiest choice is to buy a complete party | | | | over. Key reasons: |
| ware kit. If your child is into, say, pirates, dolls, Disney | | | | 1) you don't want the party to focus on gifts; |
| princess, Hannah Montana, or any sport, there will be | | | | 2) it can get boring for everyone to sit there while the |
| an all-in-one package to suit his or her birthday party | | | | birthday boy or girl rips open boxes; and |
| fantasy. Check out this extensive assortment of party | | | | 3) you have a limited amount of time, especially if |
| decorations and themed party packs. | | | | you're having the party at a party venue. |
| What should I serve? | | | | The second viewpoint is to open presents while |
| The tiniest tots are easy to please: Having their moms | | | | everyone is there. Key reasons: 1) the birthday guest |
| or dads help them to a bit of cake and ice cream will | | | | of honor can't wait to open them; and 2) the kid giving |
| probably make them very happy. | | | | the gift wants to see his or her friend open it-especially |
| For young kids, small food portions work well. Think | | | | if that child helped pick out the present. |
| cut-up fruit, pieces of cheese, baby carrots, crackers, | | | | Decide what makes you comfortable-just be flexible |
| and miniature muffins. | | | | about it, should circumstances warrant a change of |
| Another idea is to make popular sandwiches rolled up | | | | plans. |
| and sliced to form pinwheels, or cut into shapes using | | | | Should I insist that my child write a "thank-you" note? |
| cookie cutters. | | | | Absolutely. Before kids learn to write, it's appropriate |
| For kids over age 7 or so, you can never go wrong | | | | for the parent to write the note and have the child |
| with macaroni and cheese, baked ziti, or pizza. Add | | | | scribble or color something on it. When the child is able |
| some salad or cherry or grape tomatoes and sliced | | | | to write his or her name, signing the bottom of a mom- |
| cucumbers to give the party fare a bit more color. | | | | or dad-written note is OK. |
| If you're serving pizza, cut the pies into | | | | When kids are older, though, they should understand |
| smaller-than-usual slices and let the kids keep coming | | | | that written "thank-you" notes are a very meaningful |
| back for more. Cutting small slices will dramatically | | | | way to let people know that you appreciate their |
| reduce waste. | | | | kindness and generosity. Think of thank-you notes not |
| A birthday cake or cupcakes are essential. Decorating | | | | only as part of teaching kids to be well-mannered, but |
| cupcakes has become a dual-purpose parent-pleasing | | | | as helping them learn a social lesson that will serve |
| activity: It keeps the kids busy and takes care of | | | | them extremely well throughout their lives. |