Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Karri-Leigh P. Mastrangelo: Pregnant or Not, I Don't Regret My…
How To Have A Stress-Free Blended Family Vacation
Tips for Successful, Stress-Free Birthday Parties for Kids
Filed under: Holidays, Birthdays, Expert Advice: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Development: Big Kids, Expert Advice: Big Kids
Consider educational places to host your child's birthday party.
Credit: D Sharon Pruitt, Flickr
Plan Early
Kothari, owner of kids' party-planning company Peppers and Pollywogs, says parents should start planning their child's birthday party at least six weeks in advance -- especially if you want to host it outside your home. If the child's birthday occurs during a busy time of year, such as the winter holiday season, you may want to start even sooner.
Don't Have the Party at Home
Throwing a party in your home can be stressful, so ParentDish came up with a list of fun and educational places to host a great children's birthday bash, thanks to Seattle-based party-planning expert Lisa Kothari:
- Museum
- Aquarium
- Science center
- Zoo
- Petting farm
- Rock climbing venue
- Fire station
- Cooking school
- Dance studio
- Swimming pool
Get Responses from Everyone
Invitations should be sent about four weeks before the big day, Kothari adds, and she recommends setting the reply date for 10 days before your party so that you can plan your numbers comfortably. Contacting nonresponders can be awkward, but it needs to be done.
"Once the RSVP deadline has passed, take note of who you have not heard from and contact them," Kothari says. "A phone call is preferable to email, as some people will not check their email and this will keep you in the same bind. Call and ask what their response is."
Follow the Guest List Rule
The invite list itself can be a cause for consternation. Kothari says the "golden rule" of children's birthday parties is to limit the number of guests to your child's age plus one. If your son or daughter is turning 3, invite four children to the party.
However, children older than 3 generally have minds of their own, and Kothari says you should follow their cues. Just remember to keep your venue -- and your budget -- in mind.
"Older kids may feel the pressure to invite the entire class, and many schools have policies about invitations in the classroom and inviting the entire class, but it is OK to not invite the whole class any year," she says. "You must look at the time and budget you have available."
Related: Fabulous Birthday Cakes
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- Here in dc since dec, 6 2006 retired FED BOARD GOV,inventor ,writter, FORMER GOVERNOR (founder of the republic of )DERIAN DOUGLAS HICKMAN
- Why would the defendant file an acknowledgment of service instead of a defence?
- Do people ever get a civil trial this is too many dismissals with out a response from defendants
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Kid Party Quick Tip - Homemade Cakes
Homemade cakes like your mother used to bake for your birthday
-
Benihana Birthday Party: Ninja Family Meal
Daddy Clay shares his birthday idea to host a kids birthday party at a teppanyaki Japanese restaurant. These Benihana style restaurants provide the perfect birthday places to have a great birthday party for kids. Japanese steakhouses, Mongolian BBQ, and hibachi grills make great family dining, and are guaranteed to provide memorable kids birthday parties.
-
The Reasons Kids Love Birthday Parties According To A Kid
Kids LOVE birthdays! And they love birthday parties! At least, that's what our kid reporter tells us!
-
Kitchen Kids - Birthday Party Cooking with Kids
Join Kitchen Kids and Chef Gino Campagna to see how you can entertain the kids in a birthday party by letting them make their own cake!
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 3)
3-31-2010 @ 4:15PM
Jan said...I find parties at home a lot more fun and affordable. My kids have always had house parties and they have no desire to go any where else. This article sounds like a big plug for party planners. I have looked into parties at museums or other places, but it was a lot of money. I would still have to provide the decorations, food, and cake, so what is the point? I have the same thing at home and sometimes I rent a bounce house and it is a HUGE hit. Do what you feel is best and what you can afford. Remember: it isn't about the gifts, it's about celebrating a special day in your child's life!
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 4:32PM
kelly said...I so agree with Jan. Sure it's a pain to make sure the house is picked up, and if the weather is unpleasant and you have a small house, it may limit the number of guests you may have. But overall, I have always been happy to have my kids' parties at home and more importantly, the kids seem to have a great time sharing their "world" with their friends. There's no crazy cost for a special venue, it's laid back, you don't have to pack up and take cake, presents, etc. to the venue, then pack up and bring more things home. Also, I know as they get older (mine are only 7 and 3) they'll want other kinds of events...so why not enjoy at-home parties while you can?
3-31-2010 @ 4:47PM
Nina said...Jan you are so right. I have had all my kids birthday celebration's at home. I just feel it is more comfortable. The adults have a comfortable couch to sit on and have cake and coffee. I do not invite all the classmates. My kids were allowed to invite their 2 best friends. We invite out close relatives and cousins too, before you know it the house is full!
3-31-2010 @ 7:04PM
Nancy said...I agree. Kids are more comfortable at home where they can enjoy their friends and their surroundings. Kids parties should be simple and focused on their special day, not on prizes, or clowns or pony rides, or who can outdo who, etc., etc.
3-31-2010 @ 8:37PM
Holly said...The most important thing about a kid's birthday party is to tailor it for your child's personality and desires. When in grade school, my 1st son was little Mr. Popularity. The parties were held at home and the entire class was always invited. He decided on the theme for the cake & favors. I remember the one with the Spiderman cake. We usually had about 20 kids and everyone had a good time with just the cake & ice cream and the yard to play in. I always had at least 2 other adults supervising. As he moved toward middle school age, he became more discriminating. For a while, we had boys only parties. In 7th grade girls, were back in the mix, and we had a party at a local dance nightclub that served buffet food and rented out their facilities and a DJ on Saturday & Sunday afternoons for kids parties for a set price. All of his parties were successful.
My 2nd son though popular was more introverted and limited his guest list to a few school friends and neighborhood kids. Except for 1 at a pizza parlor and another at a miniature golf arcade and one with a cookout at a horse rental place, he preferred small home parties.
Any type of party can be successful for your child if you remember the golden rule, "It is his party, not yours". You are not in competition with anyone to have the best birthday party ever so don't stress. All you have to do is set the scene for your child and his guests to have a good time being together.
3-31-2010 @ 4:53PM
venusdelycra said...OK, AOL, I've read this article three times and I've yet to see the one place I shouldn't hold a kids' birthday party so I'll come right out and ask ... Where is the one place you shouldn't hold a kids' party? Could this possibly be yet another AOL tag-line written strictly for effect and having absolutely nothing to do with the story?
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 5:11PM
Angela said...The article clearly states "Don't Have The Party At Home."
3-31-2010 @ 5:35PM
Keith said...I'd be ashamed to admit that I missed (3 times) the Major point in big, bold letters that said "Don't Have the Party at Home"
3-31-2010 @ 10:37PM
John said...Don't Have the Party at Home
Throwing a party in your home can be stressful, so ParentDish came up with a list of fun and educational places to host a great children's birthday bash, thanks to Seattle-based party-planning expert Lisa Kothari:
3-31-2010 @ 5:49PM
Brenda (aka) FIRE said...The best party I have seen was where the host gave a time said check in and drop your kids off for a few hours of fun gave a time for pick up. At first I was leary so I did drop in all was in order she said no reason to stay go have a few nice hours of shopping and that I did. The kids all had a ball she had a great set up. We had a talk after she had rented one of the blow up fun times the whole deal. Great she should go into a business for holding parties for kids shes got it on the ball for sure. Very Cool and with the Know Mom
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 6:03PM
Jana said...I completely disagree with this article. I think we all have better things to do with our time and money than spending it on some extravagant birthday party.
I also think home birthday parties are great and it is easier to watch over the children. Sending out invites four weeks in advance is a little much.
Tips for successful, stress free birthday parties?? I don't think so!! Silly article.
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 6:11PM
Kathy Long said...What our family considered the biggest hit, were the times we had 'benefit' parties. For instance, my six year old LOVED babies so we had her party at a crisis pregnancy center and had the guests bring baby items for the moms in need. She loved unwrapping everything and still got plenty of personal gifts from family and best friends. Another time, we had it at home and had the Humane Society bring a litter of kittens and talk to the children about taking care of animals. The guests brought pet food to donate to the needy.
Our children have so much more than they need and they need to learn to share with the less fortunate. And it takes nothing away from them!
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 6:13PM
LBoogie said...one really inexpensive place to hold a kids party is at Mcdonalds
I had my son's party there. The price covered decorations, food, cake and ice cream for 10 kids and they even had goodie bags (I still made my own for the kids)
Everyone had a great time. Best part, I didn't have to clean up!
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 6:21PM
HBro said...Home parties are great. Just keep you ears open about any trip one of your neighbors may be taking, and throw the bash at their house. You do not have to worry about breakage, or even cleaning up. Plus, their kitchen may have all you need to feed your crowd,
and liquor for the Moms. It is tough to beat "free."
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 7:10PM
Carrie55 said...We had all our kids parties either at home or the local park and they are some of their best memories. We recycled a home carnival party and backyard water park theme with all 4... so easy, not stressful at all and great fun and games. You can see how we did it in the family fun section of Celebration Ideas Online (www.celebrationideasonline.com).. with a little organization and some help from friends they were always great. It is very expensive to have a party out.
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 7:28PM
teepee said...We had our daughter's last party at our local non-profit movie theater. We were supporting the non-profit, and not stressing about having a clean house. I bought popcorn from a fresh made place for $10 for a 10 gallon bag and gave each of the kids their own personal bags. The cupcakes were in the shape of cups of popcorn. Instead of gifts, we had a movie exchange so every child walked away with a movie. It was great!
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 7:48PM
Becky said...My daughter's best birthday was when 8 girls slept in a camper in the driveway. I kept the gas turned off so they couldn't turn on stove. They had a blast! (10 years old). When it came time for sleeping, I went out there to supervise/slept on a bunk, so no one would be scared. They decorated poster boards with "Girls Rule" and "Boys keep out" etc.........and taped them to the outside of the camper. We borrowed the 30 foot camper (brand new) from our friend across the street.
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 8:02PM
fordfan said...One of the best parties I threw for my girls was an ice cream sundae party between the 6th & 7th grades. We put an old door on top of 2 saw horses and put a pretty plastic table cloth over it. We set out about 6 half gallons of ice cream, bowls of whatever toppings I could think of plus cans of whipped cream and the girls just went to town. My daughter's, who are now in their 40's, still talk about that day. I also liked having picnic parties in the park that was close by...it was easy to keep the mess to a minimum. I always enlisted the help of 2 good friends so the children were really watched over.
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 8:54PM
KiKi said...You know I believe that parties should be at home regardless and you should never ask the child about the location of the party they should have some input into the kind of party, ie what cake etc games but you know they are after all the child and this is a large problem with kids today they believe they should be involved in every decision made by parents....hence the its all about me group of kids....before everyone bashes me let me just say I am in a professional position which allows me to make that observation and if more parents were more concerned with being parents and not with what the Jones family does or did for little johnny's last birthday...we would not be facing some of the issues we are....Just an observation!
Reply
3-31-2010 @ 9:05PM
Sally said...DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO PASS OUT INVITATIONS IN CLASS IF YOU ARE NOT INVITING THE WHOLE CLASS...It causes hurt feelings unnecessarily. Mail them or pass them out somewhere else.
Signed: a teacher
Reply