Day 12 - Party Planning (Part 1)

Me with my bow buffet... and 2 happy party kids!

Shh... I've got a secret rhyme that will help unlock the doors to successful kids' party planning... Ready?

Break.

Make.

Shake.

Cake.

Take.

Yep. It's as easy as that.  I've hosted a LOT of events and, even for the grown-ups this recipe works... Just add food, decor and you've got a great party - TRUST me.

 

Break. the ice.

I always like to have a non-structured activity to entertain the kiddos until the majority of confirmed guests arrive.  This gives our on-time and early guests a chance to meet and play nicely before the party starts.  It also allows me the opportunity to mingle with other parents and nibble on goodies... Some great ice breaker activities include a moon bounce, a playground, an area with bubbles or balloons... It doesn't take much to keep kid's busy... Just consider what your little one enjoys.



Moonbouncin' at Munch's 4th birthday

Moonbouncin' at Munch's 4th birthday

Playground cutie at Munch's 4th birthday



Fairy Frolic at Munch's 3rd Tinkerbelle party.

Another option is to offer a station with any of the following: tattoos, manis/pedis, make-up, face painting... all things to help get the little ones party ready and to occupy their time until the activities start.

Daddy painting nails at the Sweet Spa

I put my friends to work at stations like this... WHAT?! They ask to help!

Make. something.

Craft time.  Give parents a break to eat while the kids make a craft that coordinates with your theme.  This time also serves as a great warm-up activity... Hosting a princess party? Consider decorating paper tiaras.  A pirate party? What about stickers on an eye patch or sword?  Cupcake or cookie party? Maybe decorate paper "chef" hats or paper aprons?  I love the effects stickers and crayons have on kids; it's like they're programmed to sit down and be quiet when these supplies hit the table.  These crafts do not have to be over-the-top; children do not care about cost so hit up your dollar store and think out of the box (I've hosted a client's Sponge Bob party and made a Sponge Kids craft from $3 supplies at the Dollar Store - 1 pack of sponges, 1 pack of googly eyes, and 1 pack of paper for "clothes"). Check out some other crafts you might recognize:

Pinkalicious Princess Tiaras





Dollar Tree Mirrors with stickers



Dollar Tree Wooden crafts converted to bow holders

Shake. something.

Time for action... Let the little balls of energy get up and MOVE something... I recommend at least one move-and-shake activity. Simply take a classic game and re-mix it to fit your party's theme... Games like Simon Says, Duck Duck Goose, Hide and Seek, and many others can all be tailored to fit any theme (i.e. - Minnie Says, Frog Frog PRINCE, etc.) just get creative! Other physical activities that are always a hit? EASY - dance and/or talent contests!  Sometimes just a group dance is a great way to use up that extra energy and most kids love the attention of singing... Break out the video cameras, it's going to be a treat.

Cake.

The yummy tradition that ties your theme together and brings smiles to everyone in attendance (seriously, who doesn't get happy with sugar around?). Step outside of the box (mix or sheet cake - LOL) and try a cupcake tier for quick and less-messy serving or a dessert table...

Take. something.

FAVORS.  Use this as an opportunity to be creative!  I think of favors as little pieces of the party for guests to remember it by.  Nothing worse than wasting my money on things people will just throw away. So accept the challenge and come up with creative gifts for your friends...  I try to keep my party favors to things you can USE or  EAT. 
. . .
.

I consider Munchface's birthday party a chance to put the things I love to do into an event for one of the most important people in my life.  Her parties are always a success and NOT JUST because the kids have a great time as a result of using my 'Break. Make. Shake. Cake. Take.' method... But because every candle on her cake reminds me of my little blessing and symbolizes another year of awesomeness!

So, try my method and let me know how your next part-ay goes... This will be a series (...within a series, I KNOW) so tune in tomorrow for more party planning tips and tricks!