Having just gotten a big hug, and told that her 7th birthday party was the best ever, I thought I might share what I have found to be some keys to successful kids’ birthday parties. But first, let me describe what I consider a “successful kids’ birthday party”:

• There is no time when the kids are bored, asking what to do. Or at least you have a great answer when they do ask.
• You, as the host/hostess, are not stuck in the kitchen throughout the party, missing all the fun.
• You can invite cousins of various ages, from babies to teenagers, and again not have major boredom issues. Except the teenagers. They can manage to be bored anywhere.
• Adults are not bored.
• Clean-up takes less than an hour.

So now that we have a success identified, how have I had successful kids’ parties? Here are some of the things I found work:

Planning

• Planning is crucial. But you don’t have to do all of it. There are a gazillion websites, books, and magazines which detail fun kids’ parties. They give you games, activities, recipes, themes, and all kinds of other ideas. Use your resources.
• Themes, while not strictly necessary, help make your life easier – and that of your guests. If you choose a theme (or better yet, work with your child to choose one), it gives your guests (and their parents) an idea of what your child likes. Expect Hello Kitty gifts at a Hello Kitty themed party.
• If you really think you are not up to this, Chuck E. Cheese (or similar all-in-one party places) is always a winner. They have it down to a science, and can provide you with a place, cake, food, games, and treat bags, all on a loose schedule. No clean-up, no planning, just show up, and have fun.
• Unless you are doing a slumber party, plan for about 2 hours. It gives you time to do things, and everyone feels that they have been to a party, without dragging on all day.

Activities

• Plan at least three activities of differing types and length. Make sure you have back-up plans for outdoor games in case of inclement weather. Plan on not doing any of them if that’s the way the kids want it.
• Maybe it’s the Girl Scout Leader in me, but I think having something for the kids to do while everyone is arriving is a good idea. Plan on between 10 and 30 minutes between the first and last guests’ arrivals. This year I had scratch design butterflies and butterfly gliders to color. Coloring activities work great for this, because the kids can do it without supervision.
• Having something active for the kids to do outside is great because it wears them out. From what I see, kids have a lot of pent up energy. Directing it into a relay race, or other very active game means (a) they are using that energy messing up your house or taunting your pets and (b) if you can get someone else to take control of the race (I had DH do them) it means you can quickly get the food set out without kids climbing all over you. They should be more than ready for whatever food you have planned after running and jumping and screaming away.
• “The best laid plans . . .” For my DD’s 2nd birthday party, I had lots of different activities planned, and didn’t do any of them. DD and her friends were perfectly happy just crawling around on the floor playing with her toys, both old and new. If the kids are happy, and they aren’t doing something they shouldn’t, don’t disturb them just to follow a plan. The idea is for them to have fun, not follow a schedule.
• Have a bottle of bubbles for each guest if the weather will allow for you to go outdoors. If you have a lull, or want a distraction while you pick up, send them outside with bubbles. Elementary school kids of both sexes will happily blow bubbles for up to 20 minutes, and babies and toddlers will happily run after bubbles for hours, probably.

Food

• Unless you are having a cooking party, try to plan food that can be made ahead of time. Remember, this is your child’s birthday party. You want to be part of it.
• Think about the time you set the party for. If you start your party at 2, plan for light snacks, but make plenty of them. If you start earlier, plan for a full lunch. If you start after 4, plan for dinner. We started at 2, and I served a sweet snack mix, turkey and cream cheese roll-ups, and fruit kabobs. Don’t serve a veggie tray. Even if your child loves broccoli, there’s a good chance most of your guests won’t touch it and may even impose peer pressure on your child about it. Instead focus on fresh fruit as a healthy choice, as most kids will happily devour apples, bananas, grapes, and the like.
• I’m sure it goes without saying, but find out about your guests dietary needs. Allergies are no fun to find out about after the fact, and there is nothing worse than finding out the ham rolls you labored over for hours is going over well with the Jewish or Vegan guest! If you have guests of various faith coming, which might have dietary restrictions, turkey or cheese sandwiches/wraps/roll-ups/pizzas are a great choice. If you have vegan or vegetarian guests, disregard what I said earlier about the veggie tray. Have a colorful assortment of raw fruits and veggies, with dips (using oil and vinegar bases instead of dairy).

Decorations

• Keep your decorations simple. Balloons, streamers, paper confetti – these are cheap and easy to put up and clean up.
• Repeat after me, I am not Martha Stewart. I actually live in my house, and I have children. My house will not be perfect, and the decorations will not be perfect. But the house will be clean enough, and the decorations will be fun, and the kids are here to have fun, not critique my decorating skills!

Final Thoughts

• Start the party with your floors vacuumed/swept and an empty sink and empty dishwasher, and you will be more at ease during the party. I promise.
• Get your child involved in planning the party. Have them pick the theme (within your limits), have them help decorate, have them make decorations, and most definitely have them help clean up afterward.
• Relax and have fun. That is what parties are supposed to be all about. If you are relaxed, your guests will be, too. If you are having fun, your guests will, too. Talk to your guests, both child and adult. Interact. Play. Enjoy. Remember you only have to do it this once a year. Take great pictures.