5 Tips to a Great Children’s Birthday Party
After hosting hundreds of parties over a decade, if any mom asked me what I would suggest regarding planning a children’s birthday party, the following would be my suggestions:
1. Choose an indoor venue. Although a garden setting is wonderful, one can never control the weather. What may be perfect sunny weather at 1 p.m. may turn into a howling rain at 3:30 p.m. Even intermittent gently falling rain can be a disaster, because your guests will get tired moving in and out of the garden.
I was once flown from Manila to Davao to host a party. The family even hired a decorator to create a magnificent painted backdrop and turn their huge garden into a veritable underwater scene. But it was all for naught because it rained. The guests had to move to the patio. In frustration, the decorator left.
In another party, I realized, to my horror, that I was slowly sinking because the soil was turning into mud. This also meant that I could not conduct any game that required movement because the children would just slip and fall. I was reduced to asking trivia questions throughout the whole party.
If you must have a garden setting, then find a venue with glass walls to provide the view that you want, but one that will also provide protection from the elements. Remember, it cannot just be a tent or any overhead protection, because the wind can make the rain move sideways, easily pelting your guests with rain.
2. Remember that it’s about celebrating your child’s birthday. A lot of moms get caught up in trying to entertain their guests so much that they frequently forget that a birthday party is simply about celebrating the birth of their child or making their child feel really special.
Several of the best birthday parties I’ve had were those that involved family and close friends, especially when it’s celebrating first birthdays. The intimacy of the relationships between the guests really created the perfect atmosphere for an excellent party because the level of trust and comfort were higher, consequently, people were more willing to jump in and join the fun.
When your child is older, probably 5 and up, you can probably ask your child what theme or activity does he/she want to do for his/her birthday party. With the education that’s being provided now, children are more apt to speak their minds and can have very strong opinions about their birthdays.
3. Choose a good host. Never underestimate the importance of a good host. He/She can make a ho-hum party come alive. What makes a good host? Look for great interpersonal skills because that means he/she can deal with both adults and children. Look for terrific communication skills because that means he/she can give instructions effectively. Look for leadership skills because that means he/she can be expected to lead everybody throughout the whole party and provide solutions to quandaries. Look for organizational skills because that means he/she can arrange the party to be fun but moving at a right pace.
4. Organize the party program to be two hours or less. Under the assumption that your kiddie guests are 1-12 years old, the party program can be more or less two hours. Remember, children have a short attention span. Subjecting them to more than 2 hours will mean losing them at some point; creating the possibility of a chaotic party because the children can’t follow instructions anymore because they lack focus.
Aside from the waiting time of 30-45 minutes, the two hours include the children’s eating time of approximately 20-30 minutes. The younger your kiddie guests are, the shorter the party should be. A party for pre-school kids should be 45 minutes or less.
So choose only one special show (e.g. zipping show or mini-concert) aside from playing the games. And if your party’s on a Sunday, make sure your party’s snappy and moving right along. Guests usually want to go home earlier if it’s a Sunday.
5. Smile and enjoy yourself. Remember that a party is interactive. Therefore, a lot of details will be out of your control like what time will your guests actually arrive, or how many prizes will be for this game or which game should go first. Leave the host and the party organizer to worry about those things. Mingle among your guests and smile. Your guests will assume that you’re having fun so they’ll likely relax and have more fun too.
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May 17th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
hi my daughter is turning seven and I want to know about the meaning of 7 roses, 7 Lollipops, 7 candles, 7 gifts/treasures, 7 wishes, 7 balloons and 7 toys…I wanted to prepare in advance for her party. Thanks!
July 17th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
what is the meaning of 7th toys? 7th lollipops?thank u
July 14th, 2011 at 12:56 am
Hello Nina. I think the basis for this is a younger off-shoot of the traditional debutante’s ceremony of being presented with 18 roses and other such variations. I think you can choose to put whatever significance you wish into whatever you choose. Have a great birthday.
July 13th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
hi my daughter is turning seven and I want to know about the meaning of 7 Lollipops, 7 candles, 7 treasures, 7 wishes, 7 balloons and 7 toys…I will only choose maybe 1 of these 7’s ceremony just to make the celebration more meaningful.
please reply if you know thank you so much.I have no idea yet on how to handle this…Im expecting your reply as soon as possible….thank you…
February 28th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
hi my son is turning 7 this aug can you suggest any good idea to make this a very memorable and very unique one to celebrate it, without spending lot of money… thank you..
January 15th, 2011 at 5:13 am
My son will celebrate his 7th bday on Feb. What ceremony is applicable for a boy.. 7 toys and 7 lollipops, 7 gifts and 7 treasures? I have no idea yet on how to handle this…
December 27th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
thought ill be getting the answers here but its still unanswered regarding the meaning of the 7 candles…..
my eldest daughter had this kind of party 7yrs ago but i already forgot what are the meaning of this thats why im searching again, for my 2nd daughter’s bday next year.
hope someone can give us answers..please.. thanks..
November 23rd, 2010 at 10:45 am
hi my daughter is turning seven and I want to know about the meaning of 7 Lollipops, 7 candles, 7 treasures, 7 wishes, 7 balloons and 7 toys…I will only choose maybe 1 of these 7’s ceremony just to make the celebration more meaningful.
please reply if you know thank you so much.
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:55 am
hi my son is turning seven and I want to know about the meaning of 7 Lollipops, 7 candles, 7 treasures, 7 wishes, 7 balloons and 7 toys…I will only choose maybe 1 of these 7’s ceremony just to make the celebration more meaningful.
please reply if you know thank you so much.
June 10th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
hey…. i just want to say thank you for the ideas in this article ive been hosting kiddy parties for about a year…it was really a big help how to organize will my b-days party..hehehehe
October 25th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
dear Ian
pls.e mail me
davi
September 21st, 2009 at 9:58 am
Hello. For your party needs, please contact Clowning Around at 0917.8424171 Thank you. Have a fun and fabulous party!
September 20th, 2009 at 10:05 am
hi! my daughter will be celebrating her 7th bithday and i’m looking for good party host? Can you recomend? English should be the medium of hosting. thanks in advance
July 8th, 2009 at 10:45 am
hi, my daughter will be celebrating her 7th bday this july 18, sat., and i need a good female party host that will make the celebration alive and i was thinking of a puppet show instead of magical show. i know this is too soon to prepare for everything. So i need some suggestions. may i know how much would it cost? May i expect your reply as soon as possible?
thank you.
May 19th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
hi… I just read your tips…and pls recommend a good party host or even a good party manager. My sons bday is on august….Im expecting your reply as soon as possible….thank you
April 28th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Hi there . I been hosting parties for seven years and I like my job.I have been working on radio and local t.v before .I accept hosting job for Debut, wedding, variety show, birthday and others.
You can call or text me at 639298112889 or my Sun number 0922718621.
I can also arrange a good program concept for your convenience.
Hope to hear from you anytime:)
July 24th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Can you recommend a good party host? My baby girl is turning 1 this sept. I have 2 older kids who have already celebrated their 7th birthdays using the same party host. Although she was really good the disadvantage was that her program style and games didn’t change for both parties. If I got her agin for the 3rd time she might still have the same repertoire. My requirement really is that the host be fluent in english and that english be the medium for hosting. Thanks in advance and any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Can you recommend a good party host for a first bday party?
June 11th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
That’s great to know, Gracezy! Have fun and advanced happy birthday to your child!
June 11th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
wOw… Thanks for the info you post. it will help a lot for me as a first time mom to organized a great party for my child. this well be a great help.
gracezy
December 5th, 2005 at 3:25 pm
When Robert was smaller we never rented a place for his bday parties. We used to have them in our own home; and, one time we went crazy and invited 30 kids!!! The whole house was rearranged for the occasion. I did the organising, cooking and baking while Ian played the entertainer. I agree with you that kids’ parties should be as sweet and short as possible, not for the kids’ sake but for your own sanity. I miss those days……