Children's Birthday Party Planning - When and When Not to Have a Big Party

Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only because this birthday is
more for the parents than for the child. At age 1, a child doesn't understand the concept of "Birthday Party." He or she is getting a lot of attention---which is all a 1-year-old wants or understands anyway. You should not go overboard on presents because too much could scare or confuse a child. You should consider getting specialty items such as a plate that says "First Birthday," a 1-year-old candle, and possible a table cover that everyone could sign with fabric paint to have as keepsakes that can someday be shown (or given to) to your grown child.

Age 2: 2-years-olds should have one or two playmates over for a small Birthday Play Day. Again I suggest you keep a birthday plate and other keepsakes for your 2-year-old.

Age 3: 3-year-olds should have three to four playmates over, and at this age you
might have try a birthday game such as "Who can stack the blocks the highest?" I do not recommend having a clown or playing any games that require a blindfold over a child's eyes such key due to the fact either can scare children at this age. Remember your child has just turned 3, and the playmates are around that age. They are still not able to understand fully structured games very well. They only know if they do something good or better than other children, everyone will give them attention. Again I suggest you collect keepsakes.

Age 4: At 4, children should now be ready for a "real" party. I suggest four or five playmates. 4-year-olds are ready now for party decorations, but I suggest you do less and save your money for the big number "5" birthday (or buy decorations that you can put away and use again). Games such as Musical Chairs, and carrying a hard boiled egg on a spoon to the finish line without dropping it relay race can be appropriate, but remember that games will be played and finished much sooner than you think. Consider having a few of your child's favorite videos on hand. Even if the kids have seen them 100 times, they will enjoy them. After an hour or so, you will probably need a break and the children might be cranky. A movie they are all spellbound by will be a great way to relax the kids and you. You might want to consider spreading a couple of blankets on the floor and have some pillows handy for sleepyheads!


Age 5: 5-year-olds should have a big party, but remind them that this is because they are the big "5," and either starting school or just in school, and having a "big" party will not happen every year. Explain to them that big parties are only for special birthdays such as 5 because they have started or are starting school, 10 because that is the first double-digit number, and of course 16 ("Sweet 16" for girls and "Driving Age" for boys). This will save you money in the long run. On the fifth birthday, I suggest you first decide if you want to do it yourself, rent a building or park area but still do it yourself, or call local businesses (like McDonalds) to see what party-planning packages they offer. I personally suggest renting a park area if weather permits because the kids will be just as happy playing on park equipment as they would if you spent a ton of money on a professionally planned party. Have several inexpensive disposable cameras on hand and let your Birthday Boy or Girl take pictures of his or her first "big" party!

Great games for 5-year-olds whether inside or outside are:
1. Hitting a Piñata that is full of candy.
2. Relay races, which can be held in a garage, carport, or park.
3. Water balloon fights if weather permits
(and you have advised the parents that the children are likely to get wet).
4. Dancing to music and "freezing" when the music is stopped to see who looks the silliest
(this is a great game and everyone should win a party favor).
5. Pin the tail on the donkey (consider a game that uses Velcro instead of pins).

You can also do face painting and movie time. As with the 4-year-olds, you
need to over plan for games and activities and a movie is a great back up (or a much-needed rest time). Another helpful hint is to take enough large plastic trash bags to cover your kitchen floor and lightly throw all colors of paint on them. Allow for adequate drying time before the party. Then you can use these bags to cover your kitchen floor before cake time to catch cake droppings and milk or soda spills (which WILL happen).

Ages 6-9:Birthdays can be simple overnight parties ("slumber parties" for girls and "all nighters" for boys) filled with popcorn, junk food, movies, and video games. As long as you let the kids stay up all night and sleep in half the next day, this type of party can still be "cool"---what kid doesn't love the idea of staying up all night (even if they don't make it all night). If it is summer time, think about letting them sleep outside in a tent or on a screened-in porch (just be sure to let the parents know exactly where their children will be sleeping and you should plan to check in on them a few times during the night).

Age 10: This should be done about the same as age 5 in terms of it being a "special
age" (and reminding your child that "big parties" like this will not be done every year. Ten is a good age to consider renting a facility such as:

1. Pool parties: most local pools offer after-hour times when you can
rent the pool for birthday parties.
2. Roller- or ice-skating parties.
3. Local arcades or pizza parlors often have special birthday packages.
4. A day at the Zoo for your child and their friends.

Hint: To save money, check with the place where you plan to hold the party to see if you
can decorate, bring in the cake, and other party favors instead of buying the
supplies from them.

Ages 11-15 do the same as ages 6-9 with a simple overnight party.

At 16, if they even agree to let you have a "party," then consider yourself lucky. If they do, then you need to let the teenager decide what kind of party it should be. Remember kids at that age are very "into" who is popular and who is not. Don't push your child into inviting everyone you might think they should (because they might be afraid of being made fun of for having a party at home with their parents.) They know who to they can invite and who they can't without fear of peer pressure. My best suggestion for this age is either a pizza party at home or at a pizza parlor or a pool party, depending on the teenager's interest.

Any party that you give should be "Fun" for your child. Expect that your only reward will be the memories you create for yourself. If you happen to get a hug and a kiss from a very happy child at the end of the day, then it will be a bonus to remember!

Written by
Kimberly Hargis
They Grow Up Too Fast Birthdays at http://birthdays.momsbreak.com for free printable invitations, calendars and more.
© Copyright 2001 All rights reserved.

Birthday Party Planning List:

Four Weeks Before Party

• Pick the date of party

• Pick starting and ending time

• Choose party theme

• Make guest list

• Order party supplies at "They Grow Up Too Fast Birthdays" - http://birthdays.momsbreak.com

• Buy invitations

Two to Three Weeks Before Party

• Mail invitations

• Order cake (if not making cake at home)

• Order helium balloons

• Plan menu

• Arrange help for party (such as family and friends)

• Plan party games and activities

One Week Before Party

• Confirm cake order

• Confirm helium balloon order

• Write party-day schedule

Two to Three Days Before Party

• Call guests you have not heard from to ask if they will be attending

• Wash any special clothes needed for party day

Shop for and/or check to make sure you have:

• Film for camera

• Tapes for camcorder

• Batteries for camera and/or camcorder

• Extra paper towels

• Birthday Candles

• Groceries for Menus

Day Before Party

• Pick up cake or bake cake

• Child-proof party area

• Decorate for party

• Prepare any food that can be prepared the day ahead

• Set a keepsake plate aside

Day of Party

• Prepare last minute foods

• Have camera and camcorder in an easy access spot but out of children's reach

• Place candles on cake

Enjoy!

Written by Kimberly Hargis

Stop by They Grow Up Too Fast Birthdays & Baby Showers at

http://birthdays.momsbreak.com for free printable invitations and calendars.

Copyright © 2001

Check out our ladybug party ideas on our sister site: The Ladybug Hideaway.

http://ladybughideaway.funurl.com

Birthday Games

Pop the Balloon!

Before the party, blow up enough large-sized balloons so that there will be one per child. Do not blow up the balloons completely, leave them a little "soft." When it is time to play the game, explain to the children that they are going to have a race to see who can pop their balloon first by just sitting on it. Make sure they understand that they can't bounce up and down on the balloon, or stand up all the way and sit down again, they just have to sit on it, and sit hard. You might even have the Birthday Boy or Girl demonstrate the rules. Then have the children sit on the floor and give each of them a balloon. When you say "Go!" have the children see who can pop their balloon first. The first one to pop the balloon wins a party prize.

Balloon Hunt

Before the party, blow up a number of balloons half way so that they are small and not likely to pop easily. You might want to blow up three times the number of children expected to attend (that is, if you invite 10 children, then blow up 30 balloons). Then hide the balloons (like you would Easter eggs). When it is time to play games, have the children hunt for the balloons (give them grocery bags to collect the balloons). The one who finds the most wins a party prize. You can also play the game by hiding small toys or party favors, or candy. If you hide candy, be sure to make notes for yourself about all the hiding places and check after the party to make sure all the candy has been "found."

Bubble Catch

Blow bubbles and have the children try to catch them without bursting the bubbles. The first child to catch a bubble and return it to you without busting their bubble wins. You might want to have plenty of party favors so that each child can "win" at this game!

Balloon Relay Race

Have the children break up into two equal groups. If you have an unequal number of children, have the Birthday Boy or Girl sit the game out. (For a young child, you might want to explain this to him/her before the party so that there won't be any tears during the party!) Set a starting line and turn-around point for the race. Give each group a balloon. Children are to carry the balloon between their knees down to the turn-around point and back to the starting line where the child passes the balloon to the next team member. The first team to finish wins. Game works best if balloons are not fully blown up. Have extra balloons on hand in case someone breaks the balloon. For very young children, you might change the game so that they are simply carrying the balloon, since short little legs might not be able to toddle along with a squishy balloon between their knees!

Most of these party games call for balloons. You might want to purchase a one-time use balloon-inflating tank.

Written by Kimberly Hargis

Visit "They Grow Up Too Fast Birthdays & Baby Showers" at http://birthdays.momsbreak.com for free printable invitations, cards, iron-ons transfers, calendars, games and more. © Copyright 2001 All rights reserved.

Baby Shower Games

The "Can You Remember?" Game

Before the party, place several new baby items such as baby shampoo, cotton balls, bottle nipples, baby cloths, soft baby toys, rattle, diaper, and other items related items on a large tray and display this on your coffee table or on the kitchen table, wherever the guests are likely to see it as they arrive. When it is time to play party games, start by giving each guest paper and pen/pencil, but do not tell them why they need them. Then take the tray away. Now ask your guests to write down what they remember seeing on the tray. They don't have to remember the brand name, just the description of the item. The guest who remembers the most items wins. In case of a tie, ask the guests to then write down brand names or colors of the objects and the guest who remembers the most detail wins (or give all the guests with the same score a party favor!) When the game is over, give the items on the tray to the mother-to-be as a shower gift.

Tasting Game

Before the party, remove the labels from several jars of baby food and secretly record what each jar contains. (Hint: Use a black magic marker to write A, B, C, etc., on the jar lids. Then write the corresponding letter on the back of the label you removed. Save the labels.) At party time, gave each guest a spoon and have them taste the baby food. The one who can name the most food correctly wins. (Since you have removed the labels and opened the jars, you must discard the remaining food. Do not give opened jars of baby food to the mother-to-be. You might want to buy two of everything and then give the labeled, unopened jars to the mother-to-be as a reminder of a fun game!)

Baby Name.

At party time, give each guest paper and pen. Tell them to write down as many baby names as they can in a minute's time (you should have a watch with a second hand, or a digital display to use as a timer). The one who can come up with the most names wins. (Hint: have a "Baby Names" book to give to the mother-to-be as a memento of the game!)

Memories

On the invitations ask each guest to bring one baby item from their past, either something they or their children wore or played with. Have each person tell the story behind the item. Have the guest vote on the best story to pick the winner. As a gift for the mother-to-be, give her a "Baby's First Year" memory book that she can use to record memories of her baby.

Keep the Egg

Have enough eggs on hand so that each guest will have an egg. Before the party, tie a different colored ribbon around each egg. As the guests arrive, or once all the guests have arrived (but before all the games begin), give each guest an egg and tell them to protect the egg as if it were their baby. Tell them they may set the egg down, but they must have the egg at the very end of the party. Before the guests start to leave, ask the guest to return their egg in exchange for a party favor. Then stand back and see how many still have their eggs (or if they remembered where they set them down!) and if they want to keep the egg or exchange it for a gift. Don't be surprised if some guests have named their egg and decide to keep egg instead of taking the party favor! As a memento for the mother-to-be, you can use one of those empty plastic Easter eggs and stuff it with a few pairs of baby socks or anything that will fit inside the egg.

Written by Kimberly Hargis

Stop by They Grow Up Too Fast Birthdays & Baby Showers at

http://birthdays.momsbreak.com for free printable baby shower invitations, I'm Pregnant Iron-On Transfers and word game.

Copyright © 2001

Party Recipes:

Lemon Coconut Balls

½ cup butter

2/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1 ¼ cups flour

¼ teaspoon cream

½ teaspoons salt

¼ cup lemon juice

½ teaspoon vanilla

1 cup moist shredded coconut, finely chopped

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Sift dry ingredients together. Add dry ingredients alternately with lemon juice and vanilla, mixing well after each addition ingredient added.

Chill dough, then form into balls about 1" in diameter; roll in coconut.

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12 - 15 minutes. Makes three dozen.

Chocolate Walnut Clusters

½ cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate, melted

1 cup flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 ½ cups broken walnuts

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in melted chocolate, and then mix in dry ingredients. Fold in nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Makes 3 ½ dozen.

Peanut Butter Crisps

½ cup butter

1 cup sugar

½ cup chunky peanut butter

1 egg

½ teaspoon vanilla

1 ½ cups flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon soda

1 tablespoon milk

1 6-ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips or pieces, melted

Chopped salted nuts

Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and milk, mix well. Chill dough at least one hour. Roll out on lightly floured surface; cut with various shaped cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Spread a teaspoon of melted chocolate in center of each cookie; sprinkle chipped peanuts on top. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Makes 6 dozen.

Chocolate Butter Flakes

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

3 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate, melted.

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 ½ cups flour

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoons soda

Cream butter till light-colored, then gradually add sugar and beat until fluffy. Beat in egg. Blend in chocolate and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing well after each addition. Press dough through cookie press onto ungreased cold cookie sheet. Bake 350 for 8 - 10 minutes. Makes 7 dozen.

Sweet Milk Doughnuts

4 ½ cups flour

3 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

¾ cup sugar

3 tablespoons soft butter

¾ cup milk

Mix together flour, salt, spices, and baking powder and set aside. Beat eggs and sugar together. Add vanilla, butter, milk, and dry ingredients. Make a soft dough and roll to 1/3 inch thick. Cut for doughnut thickness and drip in hot grease/oil (375 degrees). Serve plain or roll in powdered sugar.

Peanut Butter Fudge Squares

½ cup light corn syrup

¾ cup peanut butter

1/3 cup butter, softened

¾ cup chopped pecans

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups powered sugar

Combine syrup, peanut butter, butter, salt, and vanilla. Beat well. Gradually add sugar to make a very stiff mixture. Turn out on lightly greased board, knead until well-blended, working in pecans. Press into buttered 8-inch square pan. Chill until firm and cut into 2-inch squares.

Written by Kimberly Hargis

"They Grow Up Too Fast Birthdays & Baby Showers" at http://birthdays.momsbreak.com

Free printable invitations, cards, iron-ons, calendars, games and more.

© Copyright 2001 All rights reserved.