by Rachel Knowles

Created on: August 11, 2009   Last Updated: August 12, 2009

Birthday parties are special occasions that your children will remember, so it is worth taking the time to plan carefully so that the memories will be good ones.

Timing

Don't be overly ambitious! An hour and a half to two hours is about the right length of time for an elementary-aged child, depending on what activities you are proposing to do.

Having a party at the weekend is preferable, as the children will be less tired than after school and there are likely to be more adults around to help.

Numbers

For most parties at home at this age, I have found that 8 to 12 guests works best. This is a good number for playing games without getting overcrowded.

Themed Parties

If you choose to have a birthday party at home, then it can help to have a theme running through the activities. Let your child help to choose the theme if they want to.

Here is a list of themes that I have used:

1.) Animals

2.) Princesses

3.) Pirates

4.) Christmas (in June - complete with the Christmas tree up!)

5.) All American party

6.) Pizza party

Many children love to dress up, so you can ask them to come in a costume that relates to the theme.

Invitations

When you have chosen a theme, you can design an invitation on the computer that fits with the theme or use pre-printed invitations. Including a reply slip on the bottom of the invitation works well at encouraging people to respond, but do include a phone number as well, as some people find it easier just to let you know whether their child is coming in that way.

Make sure that you send out the invitations at least two weeks beforehand and include clear details of when and where the party is and whether they are to dress up or not.

Tea

If you have too many children to fit around your table, try putting a big plastic tablecloth on the floor and seating the children around this.

A good alternative to traditional party fare of sandwiches, potato chips (crisps), sausage rolls, chocolate finger biscuits and the like, is to offer pizza or hot dogs.

If you able, make a birthday cake on the theme.

Opening Activity

A good tip for getting your party off to a good start is to have something ready for the children to do as they arrive. This may be decorating a paper bag, which can later be used to collect up any party treats that they are given, making a party hat or colouring in pictures related to the theme.

Party Games

Make sure that you plan enough games to fill the time and have some to spare.

Possible games are:

1.) Pass the parcel - with forfeits and sweets in every layer.

2.) Musical statues - when the music stops, the children must stop moving.

3.) Musical bumps - when the music stops, the children must sit down.

4.) Sleeping lions - the children must lie down on the floor and stay absolutely still.

5.) Treasure hunt - hide plastic animals or other small objects around the house or garden for the children to find.

6.) Balloon bashing - blow up lots of balloons and let the children hit them around.

Activity Parties

If you can't face a dozen youngsters in your house, then consider choosing an activity party. Many places offer a birthday party package, which includes party food in a cafe area or the use of a room where you can bring your own food.

Here is a list of possible activities:

1.) Swimming - particularly popular if there are inflatable toys available

2.) Ice-skating

3.) Trampolining

4.) Bowling

5.) Indoor adventure play area

6.) Climbing wall

7.) Zoo

8.) Farm park

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