How to Throw the Best Birthday Party Ever!
Do your children’s birthdays always tend to sneak up on you? You are not alone! You probably never have enough time to prepare mentally or emotionally for that one day that makes your child another year older. Not only is your baby growing up way too fast, but you have so little time to create fun birthday memories while they’re still kids. Here are some ways to make sure your kids will say they had the ‘best party ever!’:
Plan Ahead
- Choose a location. The party doesn’t have to be held at some extravagant venue (unless you want it to be). Your child and his friends can have just as much fun goofing around at your house or a park as they will anywhere else… and your wallet will thank you!
- Search for inspiration on the web. Pinterest will probably be your best friend when it comes to party planning. There are so many cool ideas for themes, party favors, and food on this website that you may not need to look anywhere else!
- Send invitations early. You’ll want to know a head count at least a week before the party to prepare for how much food you’ll have to buy/make/order. A good way to do this is to send out the invitations at least four weeks in advance and have each family or invitee RSVP at least 10 days prior to the party. If you want to save some time and money, you can send them electronically through websites like Evite and Paperless Post instead of handwriting them all one by one.
The Size Matters
- Know your child. Some children simply aren’t as social and prefer smaller gatherings to huge parties. If this is the case, you can choose to keep it within the family, or you can invite just a few friends and do something more intimate, like a sleepover or tea party. If your child is a social butterfly, and you can handle a lot of people, you can invite your child’s whole class, soccer team, neighborhood friends and more to the party!
- Know who’s coming. If you plan on inviting children who are not in the family, be prepared for their parents to come as well. Sometimes it’s a good idea to have a separate area for the grown-up crowd inside where it’s quieter, so parents can mingle over adult food while the kids play outside.
The Specifics
- Cater to your child. If your child is obsessed with trains, throw him a train-themed party! You want your child to enjoy their special day as much as possible. As silly as their ideas may sound, there are simple ways to make any theme look great with a little creativity and fun activities for everyone.
- Set up games. Kids usually know how to have fun on their own, but having a few games out and ready to go is a great way to keep children highly entertained. Pinterest is one of the most popular resources for game ideas that you can make yourself!
At Prep Academy, we know that each child is unique. We strive to make each child feel special, not only on their birthday but every day! Birthday parties are a great way to bring out the best in each student both artistically and creatively, and to interact with other children of their age. A social gathering or party is also a great way for children to develop socially and emotionally outside of the classroom. Creating memories while celebrating a birthday is just one way to show a child that he or she is special!