Fun and Easy Ideas for Children's Birthday Parties {Guest Post}

 By: Lisa at ThePartyWorks

Throwing a birthday party for your kiddo can be a lot of fun. Whatever you dread about party planning, get rid of it! Make the party about what you and your child enjoy that is healthy and simple. As a mom of 3, I have learned a few things over the years and now I have birthday party planning down to a science and I'd like to share with you some of the more valuable tips and ticks I've discovered.

1. Enlist a helper. Your partner may be a great help, but even one more responsible adult on duty can make everything that much more manageable. I don't mean just asking another mom when they get to the party if they don't mind keeping an eye on the kids too. I mean enlist, in advance, another mom or family member to help with everything from setup to cleanup.
   
2. Limit the guest list. It's really not important to invite guests out of obligation. They're kids, not adults, so the same rules just don't apply. Keep the guest list to the nearest and dearest. In the end, your child will remember having a great time with the people who were there, and that's what is important.
   
3. The Internet is a wonderful thing. From sending out evites to ordering decorations, cake and/or entertainment, most of the party planning can be done from your laptop which can be a real time saver for busy parents.
   
4. Keep the kids busy. The hardest part is probably finding a way to keep the kids safely entertained for the duration of the party. Have a movie and/or video game back up plan just in case they need some down time. Scavenger and treasure hunts are a great way to keep them engaged for a while, and craft tables are terrific for having them make their own party favors like painted t-shirts or aprons, snow globes in mason jars, picture frames or painted clay pots (possibly including plants)! If you want to have them decorate their own cupcakes, that works too!

After you throw a few parties, you'll get the hang of it and by the time your second child starts having parties, you'll be a pro! The important thing to remember is that your child can tell when something stresses you out. Throw the best party you can within the boundaries of feasibility without overload and enjoy the moment celebrating the day you brought that child into the world.

Lisa is a guest post blogger who writes about party planning with themes like Super Mario birthday party and anniversary parties.