Birthday party tips and ideas
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As my nephew is about to celebrate his first birthday, I?ve started to think about all of the parties we?ve held for our boys over the years.
While it can be fun to celebrate your kids? birthdays in a variety of places (trust me, I?ve been to ?em all), my favorite parties are always those spent at home. I value the time and effort that parents put into hosting their parties.
When it comes to party planning, I have learned that some things are worth splurging a bit on and others are usually a waste of money. Party hats are cute and may reflect your party?s theme, if you have one, but they are almost always worn for five minutes and then quickly forgotten. The same is true of theme- or character- oriented plates and napkins. I learned pretty quickly that basic colorful plates and napkins work just fine; kids are usually much more interested in the yummy cake on top of their plates than the design beneath it.
Party favors, on the other hand, usually get reluctant kids to say ?goodbye? when the party?s over. They are souvenirs from your child?s special occasion. I really like the theme-oriented party-favor boxes sold by BirthdayExpress.com.
It takes more effort to make up your own goody bags but can actually be fun, especially if the birthday child is involved.
Sometimes the biggest party-favor hits are one larger prize to take home. We had a sports-themed party in our backyard for our son?s third birthday. We sent each child home with an inflated ball. They were similar to beach balls but were instead footballs, soccer balls and basketballs. They seemed like something the kids would enjoy playing with for a few days. They were definitely a hit.
Inflatable toys such as this can be purchased from Oriental Trading Company. The website and catalog are full of fun party and craft supplies at reasonable rates?which brings me to another activity at that third birthday: The kids made sports door hangers for their rooms (although I think I may have given the girls pink and purple hangers with flowers to decorate).
We lined up several long tables for the kids to eat and make crafts on, and covered them with paper (from a big roll). We put several small buckets of crayons on the tables and the kids had fun doodling.
At later parties (when our sons were at least five), I wrote something like ?Ben is 5!? on a large piece of poster-board, in colorful letters. Each guest was asked to sign the poster as a memento of our boys? special day.
I?d love to hear all of your ideas for babies? and preschoolers? birthday parties!
Nancy says...
Although my boys are not preschoolers, I am tempted to add up my bit. Have you noticed an evolution process going on in the brains of the new generation kids? The newest gen. is always smarter than the earlier one. Probably it is a combination of the exposure they get. In this era of communication, the media options for tapping this information are vast and easily accessible, even for a toddler.
Science should be encouraged at an early level. This would add an edge to the aptitude of the kids making them more competitive as they go to higher grades.
My younger son Kevin is 6 years old. He hates doing his homework but enjoys computers and experimenting with stuff he is prohibited to touch.
We decided not to tire ourselves with preparations for the birthday party of Kevin. We called the Mad Science. The Mad Scientist mesmerized the kids with hovercrafts, gooey liquids which had amazing properties, DIY rockets which the invitee kids could carry home and even a crash course on robotics. Except for serving food we didn’t have to bother ourselves about entertainment.
I would highly recommend the Mad Science any day for such a function.
Amybee says...
Actually, I agree. We did have The Mad Science Guy for our son’s party when he was a bit older (turning 8 maybe?). It was nice to have the party at home but leave the main entertainment to Mad Science…the kids thought he was hilarious!
Sesame Street Birthday says...
Love that you mention the whole solid plates deal. While I’m good with people getting those kinds of things, I truly believe in moderation, particularly when the child is really young. Seriously, will your one-year-old really remember the Elmo plates or the trip to Chuck E Cheese that cost a fortune? Nope. There are better ways to spend your birthday party budget. I’m on the hunt right now for good favor ideas for my blog. Like your suggestion with the blow-up balls. Much better than candy!
Sesame Street Birthdays last blog post..Sesame Street Birthday: Indoors or outdoors for your Sesame Street party?
Divya says...
Hey great birthday party tips!