Children?s Birthday Party Planning: When and When Not to Have a Big Party
Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only because this birthday is more for the parents than for the child. At age 1, a child doesn't understand the concept of "Birthday Party." He or she is getting a lot of attention---which is all a 1-year-old wants or understands anyway. You should not go overboard on presents because too much could scare or confuse a child. You should consider getting specialty items such as a plate that says "First Birthday," a 1-year-old candle, and possible a table cover that everyone could sign with fabric paint to have as keepsakes that can someday be shown (or given to) to your grown child. Age 2: 2-years-olds should have one or two playmates over for a small Birthday Play Day.
Again I suggest you keep a birthday plate and other keepsakes for your 2-year-old. Age 3: 3-year-olds should have three to four playmates over, and at this age you might have try a birthday game such as "Who can stack the blocks the highest?" I do not recommend having a clown or playing any games that require a blindfold over a child's eyes such key due to the fact either can scare children at this age. Remember your child has just turned 3, and the playmates are around that age. They are still not able to understand fully structured games very well. They only know if they do something good or better than other children, everyone will give them attention.
Again I suggest you collect keepsakes.Age 4: At 4, children should now be ready for a "real" party. I suggest four or five playmates. 4-year-olds are ready now for party decorations, but I suggest you do less and save your money for the big number "5" birthday (or buy decorations that you can put away and use again). Games such as Musical Chairs, and carrying a hard boiled egg on a spoon to the finish line without dropping it relay race can be appropriate, but remember that games will be played and finished much sooner than you think. Consider having a few of your child's favorite videos on hand.
Even if the kids have seen them 100 times, they will enjoy them. After an hour or so, you will probably need a break and the children might be cranky. A movie they are all spellbound by will be a great way to relax the kids and you. You might want to consider spreading a couple of blankets on the floor and have some pillows handy for sleepyheads!Age 5: 5-year-olds should have a big party, but remind them that this is because they are the big "5," and either starting school or just in school, and having a "big" party will not happen every year. Explain to them that big parties are only for special birthdays such as 5 because they have started or are starting school, 10 because that is the first double-digit number, and of course 16 ("Sweet 16" for girls and "Driving Age" for boys).
This will save you money in the long run. On the fifth birthday, I suggest you first decide if you want to do it yourself, rent a building or park area but still do it yourself, or call local businesses (like McDonalds) to see what party-planning packages they offer. I personally suggest renting a park area if weather permits because the kids will be just as happy playing on park equipment as they would if you spent a ton of money on a professionally planned party. Have several inexpensive disposable cameras on hand and let your Birthday Boy or Girl take pictures of his or her first "big" party!Great games for 5-year-olds whether inside or outside are:
- Hitting a
Pi?ata that is full of candy. - Relay races, which can be held in a garage, carport, or park.
- Water balloon fights if weather permits (and you have advised the parents that the children are likely to get wet).
- Dancing to music and "freezing" when the music is stopped to see who looks the silliest (this is a great game and everyone should win a party favor).
- Pin the tail on the donkey (consider a game that uses Velcro instead of pins).
As with the 4-year-olds, you need to over plan for games and activities and a movie is a great back up (or a much-needed rest time). Another helpful hint is to take enough large plastic trash bags to cover your kitchen floor and lightly throw all colors of paint on them. Allow for adequate drying time before the party. Then you can use these bags to cover your kitchen floor before cake time to catch cake droppings and milk or soda spills (which WILL happen). Ages 6-9: Birthdays can be simple overnight parties ("slumber parties" for girls and "all nighters" for boys) filled with popcorn, junk food, movies, and video games.
As long as you let the kids stay up all night and sleep in half the next day, this type of party can still be "cool"---what kid doesn't love the idea of staying up all night (even if they don't make it all night). If it is summer time, think about letting them sleep outside in a tent or on a screened-in porch (just be sure to let the parents know exactly where their children will be sleeping and you should plan to check in on them a few times during the night).Age 10: This should be done about the same as age 5 in terms of it being a "special age" (and reminding your child that "big parties" like this will not be done every year. Ten is a good age to consider renting a facility such as:
- Pool parties: most local pools offer after-hour times when you can rent the pool for birthday parties.
- Roller- or ice-skating parties.
- Local arcades or pizza parlors often have special birthday packages.
- A day at the Zoo for your child and their friends.
At 16, if they even agree to let you have a "party," then consider yourself lucky. If they do, then you need to let the teenager decide what kind of party it should be. Remember kids at that age are very "into" who is popular and who is not. Don't push your child into inviting everyone you might think they should (because they might be afraid of being made fun of for having a party at home with their parents.) They know who to they can invite and who they can't without fear of peer pressure. My best suggestion for this age is either a pizza party at home or at a pizza parlor or a pool party, depending on the teenager's interest.
Any party that you give should be "Fun" for your child. Expect that your only reward will be the memories you create for yourself. If you happen to get a hug and a kiss from a very happy child at the end of the day, then it will be a bonus to remember!.
Kimberly Hargis owns and operates Mom?s Break PMS. Printables Madness Syndrome n. 1 : a chronic condition characterized by an uncontrollable urge to find Free Printables on the Internet: sometimes known as PMS. Please visit http://www.MomsBreak.com.© Copyright 2004 All rights reserved.How to Make Party Hat Creations With Paper Plates
Inexpensive paper plates are the basic ingredient in how to make party hat creations for your kids party.
If you have a unique party theme and can't find hats to match, just make your own.
The kids will enjoy the hand-on approach and you'll save a few dollars in the process.Start with a quantity of inexpensive paper plates, the kind with the scalloped edge.
The entire outer edge of the plate will form the band which goes around the child's head.
The center of the plate will be colored, drawn on, or otherwise decoratedStart by just cutting out the headband part, leaving the circular interior portion of the plate flipped up to decorate.
Simply stick on a picture which pertains to your party theme.
This could be a Barbie picture, a race car, or whatever.
It's easy to copy pictures you find on the internet, or in children's coloring books, and let kids color them in.
Another easy paper plate hat design is a...
Party > How to Make Party Hat Creations With Paper Plates
New America Party Continues to Grow - Now Offers Radio Show.
The New America Party, founded on the values of leadership, ingenuity, honesty, integrity and excellence, looks to give Americans an alternative ? and better ? political choice, allowing them to participate in renewing their country's future."America is great and it's people are even greater and it's time that the leaders of the country recognize that.
Instead of pandering for votes, we involve the voters in the process," says Scott Keller, founder of The New America Party. "Our party aims to tap into and to trust the intelligence of Americans of all shapes and sizes, ages and genders, races and creeds.
If they are fully informed of the issues, they are more than capable of making their own good decisions."As its web site, at http://www.newamericaparty.org, states, the Party seeks to unite a widely divided America behind a positive, inclusive vision believing that tapping the honest values inside Americans...
Party > New America Party Continues to Grow - Now Offers Radio Show.
How to Make a Model Volcano and Other Fun Kids Party Special Effects
Kids love magic tricks and special effects because they surprise and delight with the unexpected.
Here's a collection of easy yet impressive special effects to try at your next kids party.But beware... kids are naturally inquisitive, and will want to know how you achieved your spectacular results.
Keep it mysterious, and you'll be the hit of the party crowd!Erupting VolcanoStart by lining a box lid (edges should be about 2 inches high) with foil or use a large metal pan.
Fill with wet sand.
Place an empty soup can in the center and press the sand around the can to form your volcano mountain. For the best effect, completely conceal the can.
Spoon 1/4 cup baking soda into the can and place the box on a surface protected with a plastic tablecloth or newspapers.
To erupt the volcano, pour a portion of the activation solution into the can.
When this is added to the baking soda, it will make flowing "lava".
Let your party...
How to Make a Model Volcano and Other Fun Kids Party Special Effects
Party > How to Make a Model Volcano and Other Fun Kids Party Special Effects
Planning a Luau Party? Be Sure To Stock Up On Your Luau Party Supply Items
Luau party supplies will determine just how fun your Luau party will be.
For the invitations to your Luau party, send large Hawaiian themed cards, and tell them to dress in the tropical style.
For the music, find a CD or tape that plays Luau music.
For the outside entrance to your house, consider placing bamboo torches outside your door so your guests will get right in the tropical mood.
As soon as your guests get in the door, have a large basket of tropical flowers.
If the weather permits, consider placing Luau party supplies on the backyard.
Paper lanterns would be a nice touch outside.
Also, wind chimes will add to the mood.
If you really want to go crazy, place metallic palm trees and wooden totem poles around the yard/patio. Candle votives are a must, but don't forget the citronella candles.Finding cheap Luau Party SuppliesOften times, it is possible to find the material for a Luau party at a discount store....
Party > Planning a Luau Party? Be Sure To Stock Up On Your Luau Party Supply Items
Kid Movie Party Theme
Lights! Camera! Action!Now with our exclusive movie party theme, your birthday child can star in their own movie!That's right, with fun kid birthday parties one-of-a-kind movie making adventure, you can turn your child's birthday party into a movie making party they'll never forget.Imagine how excited your birthday child will be when they get to tell all their party guests that everyone is going to be in a movie... Wow! This is going to be super fun."The Great Birthday Treasure Hunt" is an original 3 minute mini-movie script exclusively from Fun Kid Birthday Parties and it's yours absolutely FREE.And when you order your free movie script we'll even send you our easy to follow tips on how to put together this super fun one-of-a-kind movie party theme that everyone will love... And you'll have a great time too!Movie Party ThemeEveryone has dreamed of starring in a movie... And now your birthday child can star in "The Great Birthday Treasure Hunt" a fun 3 minute movie production.Movie Party...
Kid Movie Party Theme
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