There’s one thing my husband and I consistently disagree on – birthday parties. He’s of the “let’s take a family trip or have a fun day as a family instead” mentality, while I’m of the “let’s have a themed birthday party each year with lots of friends and family” mentality. Though he didn’t have many birthday parties as a child, I remember some of my own birthday parties growing up and know how much fun they can be, so I want our kids to have that same experience. The good thing is that with some planning and smart shopping, hosting kids’ birthday parties doesn’t have to be stressful. Check out some of my tips for throwing a kids’ birthday party without much fuss on your part and ensuring your children and guests have a great time!
7 Tips for Hosting a Spectacular (and Stress-Free) Kids’ Birthday Party!
1. Work with your kids to choose a theme.
My kids are always involved in their birthday party planning, including choosing a theme. We’ve hosted birthday parties with themes including outer space, pirates, kids’ favorite characters (i.e., Dora the Explorer and Spider-Man), and even a Christmas-themed birthday party! It’s so much fun to find items that coordinate with your theme! These days it’s super easy too – Walmart has a birthday party section with various themes (including many kids’ favorites), where you can find tableware, decorations, and all you need for your kids’ party!
2. Save money with non-licensed decorations!
All of your decorations do not have to exactly match your theme or be from the same character set. You can coordinate your theme by buying tableware and decorations of the same or similar colors to mix and match with the licensed items. Even the cake doesn’t have to be full of characters, yet can still coordinate your party’s theme. It’ll look great and save you a bit of money!
3. Plan games to keep kids busy.
I’ve attended parties with my children where there were no planned games or activities and let me tell you, it gets a bit chaotic. Save yourself the stress and plan a few games and activities for the children. Not every minute needs to be planned, of course, but having some planned games will help keep the kids from getting too wild.
4. Provide DIY activities or crafts for little guests.
Kids love crafts and fun DIY activities, so let them get in on the fun of the party by completing DIY activities that coordinate with your theme and double as a party activity! Check out the ideas from Walmart.com!
5. Serve simple food.
You can most certainly go all out and cook a fancy feast for your guests, but keeping in mind that many of the guests are children, it’s best to serve simple food. Save some time by precooking items the day before the party or purchase party trays, pizza, and snacks to keep yourself out of the kitchen altogether! Your sanity will thank you.
6. Cake for everyone – even your 1 year old!
If you’re hosting your baby’s first birthday party, be sure to provide your little one with his or her own “smash cake.” We all know it’s highly likely your baby will smash his/her hands into the cake, so having a separate cake for baby to do just that, while serving your guests from a separate cake works out great! Take advantage of the free smash cake Walmart gives you when you order your birthday cake from their bakery!
7. Be sure to have plenty of beverages.
Kids seem to get thirsty…a lot! From all the playing they’ll be doing, it’s no wonder too! Be sure to have plenty of drinks on hand, including water and juice, so the little ones are sufficiently hydrated.
I hope these tips help you host an amazing birthday party for your kids and keep you stress-free! I’d love to hear any other ideas you have for throwing a kids’ birthday party, so be sure to share them in the comments!
What was the theme of your child’s last (or upcoming) birthday party?
Photos courtesy of Walmart, except where noted
Avengers product photo © Melanie Edwards/modernmami™
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