So, you're planning to host your child's birthday party at home.
But how to make it fun without spending a fortune and driving yourself
crazy?
The trick is to keep things simple. Here are
some home birthday party ideas to make your celebration a success.
*Keep it short. I learned the hard
way that three hours is too long for a party. Schedule two and a
half hours instead. Many children will arrive late resulting in
a two-hour party, which is perfect.
*Invite only girls or boys. This limits
party size and makes it easier to plan activities that engage everyone.
*Encourage drop-offs. Entertaining
kids and parents divides your attention and makes it hard to host
if your space is small. Note a "pick up" time on invitations. By
grade school, most children can handle parties on their own.
*Mix and match. Nothing limits options
more or makes the bill add up faster than organizing a party around
a theme. Let your child pick a special cake and mix and match decorations
and activities.
*Create the goodies. If the kids do
a craft, like beading, as an activity, the necklaces they make can
serve as the treat to take home.
*Give the sibling a job. Our "birthday
sister" sticks the candles in the cake and announces activities.
She's been completely co-opted.
*Stock up on silly string. Kids love
to spray the stuff. And they also love to pick it up, packing it
into little balls. Like magic, the mess disappears. Plan on one
can per kid.
*Skip the party. Offer to take your
child and a few friends on a special birthday outing instead. The
zoo or a movie followed by ice cream - almost any outing is easier
than throwing a party. And the kids have just as much fun.
(c) 2007 Jennifer Bingham Hull.
Reprint rights granted as long as the article is published in its
entirety, including the resource box and its live links.
About the Author
Jennifer
Bingham Hull is an award-winning author and mother of two. Her
book, Beyond One: Growing a Family and Getting a Life,
looks at life after the second child. To learn more, visit www.growingafamily.com,
where you can contact her to receive this "Life Beyond One" column
regularly and sign up for her free newsletter.
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