TIP NO.2 Scheduling
From an after school or kindy party, to one on the weekend the options are endless. There is no rule, and certainly does not have to be held on the day of your child’s actual birthday. Be aware of Public Holidays and school holidays when preparing. It would be upsetting if most of your children's friends are away and could not attend your child's party. Also, consider a weekday party for something different. Perhaps a party afterschool from 4pm until 6pm would be suitable, if you don't want a massive weekend extravaganza. Many birthday entertainers and companies may also offer a discount to encourage more parties during the week. Always good for the budget!
TIP NO.3 Choosing a Time
There are two things to consider here: the time of day and the age of the birthday child. Top tips:
- Make sure if your child is a toddler or preschooler that you consider morning and afternoon sessions and potential time clashes. Preschool sessions, lessons, school pick ups are all things to consider!
- Consider parents with younger siblings – early afternoons often mean nap time.Parties for younger children should be conducted in the morning where possible while the kids are awake and refreshed for the day. Often, we have found that younger children of around 4-6 years fade in enthusiasm very quickly later in the afternoon!
- Consider extra-curricular activity times for school aged children. These are often between 3.30 and 5 pm. (at least)so check with as many guests.
As a general guide for how long children's birthday parties should last:
- Age one: One hour. This party is usually for the parents to celebrate surviving that first year.
- Age two: these lovely treasures love a party but have no concept of shared play and will have no memory of it in later years. Favourite adults and perhaps one or two friends will be ample. Again, a one-hour party is usually long enough.
- Age three: By this age, birthdays are becoming special, so a little effort will be well rewarded. They are still young, so 1 ½ - 2 hours will be ample.
- Age four: This is where it starts getting fun! Most children are used to social situations by this age so you can be more structured in your planning. Short and sweet will still work best, with a maximum of two hours
- Age five: There’s nothing quite like turning five. It is an important milestone for our kids. Theme parties really come into play now and planning the party can be as exciting as the party itself. Party times should be around two hours, with some of that time being unstructured play/fun.
- Six and up: Party on!! Everyone loves a great party at this age. A maximum of three hours should be enough for all . . . especially you!
TIP NO.4 Guest List
Choose the guests carefully. A good rule of thumb is to add one to the child's age to determine how many other kids to invite. So if your child is turning 5 years old, she would invite up to 6 other children. Consider the location of your party, whether it's indoors or outdoors and also your ability to handle large groups of children. Many party companies have a minimum of 10 children to be paid for at one party. This may be to cover costs associated with equipment and wages. Even though this may be more children, having a hosted and structured activity during the party will help 'control' the enthusiasm of so many children. So don't panic with having as many as ten children. A professional and experienced entertainer will work their magic.
TIP NO.4 Enlist Help
Birthday parties for young kids require a lot of work. Expect to be
exhausted at the end of the day. Enlisting the help of your friends and
family members makes the day run more smoothly. Don't forget to enjoy
the party yourself after all of your efforts to plan and coordinate the
event.
Happy Crafting
Sarah
Owner- Arty Parties Children's Craft Parties
