How to Host a Kid’s Birthday Party
Introduction
Birthdays are important milestones in our children’s lives. We gather together with family and friends to celebrate everything our child has achieved over the past year, marvel at how much they have grown, and shower them with wishes for the upcoming year. The birthday kid excitedly opens thoughtful presents, blows out symbolic candles, and everyone eats the ceremonial cake. Birthday parties are a staple of childhood. With all the different themes, supplies, and expectations, planning a successful birthday party can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Here are some steps on how to host a kid’s party.
Plan a Budget
The first thing to decide on for your child’s birthday party is the amount of money you are willing, and realistically able, to spend. It is far too easy to walk into the party store and get caught up in all the excitement of decorations and extra party favors. One second you are getting paper plates, and the next thing you know, you are walking out of the store with five hundred dollars worth of balloons and confetti. Avoid this mistake by sitting down and deciding on a specific amount that you are going to spend on the party.
Next, sit down with your child to identify the most important elements that you both want to see at the party. This may include a custom cake, interesting entertainment, and possibly even an event space. Prioritize these elements first when estimating the cost of each item and category. Once you have an estimated amount for each of the categories, you will have a better idea of where you can splurge or what you can pass on.
Pick the Party Theme
This is the fun part of party planning. Sit down with your child to pick out a theme for their birthday party. Children usually already have creative ideas for their birthday parties, long before their birthday month even arrives. Whether they decide to go with a classic theme such as dinosaurs or pick a new computer game theme that you’ve never heard of before, allow their imaginations to run wild. They will be more than happy to help you come up with ideas to make their day magical. You can incorporate tools such as party store websites or Pinterest vision boards to help bring their dreams to fruition. Make sure to stick within your allocated budget and utilize items and elements you already have at home. Your child would also love to participate in any crafting projects that take place before the big day. Hand them some construction paper and let them join in on the fun.
Pick the Venue
Next, it’s time to pick the venue for the birthday party. Many people choose to host a kid’s birthday party in their own backyards. For many others, this may not be a feasible option. There are plenty of venues to choose from, including wide open spaces or event centers that cater to birthday parties. Regardless of which option you choose, be sure to research any rules or restrictions when it comes to setting up decorations in venues. Whether you decide on an event center or keep the party close to home, plan the decorations out ahead of time. Decide where the food and drinks will go, where the presents can be placed, and where the kids will play. Make sure to save some space for the parents as many of them will probably stay for the duration of the party as well.
There are pros and cons to choosing an event center over your backyard. Pros for choosing an event venue usually includes entertainment for the kids, party hosts during the event, catering may be included, and set up and clean up is usually minimal. Cons include the cost, time restrictions, limited decorations, and possibly sharing the space with non-party goers.
Make sure that you find a space that fits within your budget. If you choose to stay home, then you could use the venue funds to splurge in another category. If you choose to use a venue, you could draw more from the decorations category to fund the space. Remember, whichever you decide, the kids will have a wonderful time.
Create the Menu
Once you have chosen your venue, you will be able to decide on the food and other treats for the party. If you are hosting the kid’s birthday party at an event venue, they may provide the food or suggest easy options such as pizza. If you are doing a backyard party, choose food and snacks to go with the theme of the birthday party. Make sure to have a meal available for the children, such as mac n cheese, in addition to the sweets and treats. Pinterest is a great tool for choosing themes and treats on a budget. Make sure to include ‘grown up’ food and drinks for the parents that are sticking around as well.
Don’t forget about the special birthday cake! Custom cakes are very popular and are more affordable than ever. Cupcakes are also a great alternative for kids and are easier to distribute to eager children. When picking out the candles, make sure to keep an extra lighter or two on hand as they tend to malfunction when it’s time to shine.
Final Thoughts
Hosting a kid’s birthday party can be overwhelming and stressful. Take a deep breath and enjoy the excitement. Decide on your budget, pick a theme, find the right venue, create the menu, and the rest will take care of itself. No matter how the birthday party turns out, your child will have an amazing time and feel so incredibly special!
If planning a birthday party after all these steps still feels too exhausting, come join us at The Battlefield in Denton, TX. We are a massive indoor arena where you will have the ultimate NERF experience. We will do all the organizing, serving, and entertaining for you. All you have to do is show up and get your NERF on. Let’s celebrate your child in style!
