#1: Take Advantage Of Local Businesses
Many restaurants offer their facilities and their staff for children birthday parties. Some other businesses, such as children's museums, amusement parks, zoos, movie theaters, and stores are also getting into the act. Holding a party in a public place will spare you the tasks of setting up and cleaning up. Your child may also be able to invite more friends than they could if the party were being held at your house or apartment.
#2: If The Party Is Taking Place At Your Home, Enlist Help
Call on your spouse, siblings, friends, and older children to help the party run smoothly. Older children are especially valuable allies. If they can be engaged in the planning process, they will probably have all kinds of ideas for games and entertainment.
#3: Involve The Birthday Boy Or Girl
The child having the birthday probably has some definite ideas about what he or she does or does not want. Rather than give free reign to your child, offer choices. For instance, "Would you rather have Disney Princess or Bratz decorations?" or "Do you want chocolate cake or white cake?"
#4: Limit The Number Of Guests
Five year olds can be a handful, so when having a children birthday party, don't invite any more guests than you are comfortable keeping track of.
#5: Shorter Is Better
Unless your children birthday party is going to be in a public place with lots of entertainment, two hours is usually plenty long enough to play a few games, serve refreshments, and sing "Happy Birthday."
#6: Don't Have The Birthday Child Open Presents In Front Of Guests
Five-year-olds are still a little hazy on the whole concept of gift-giving. The last thing you want is a scene if a small guest decides to try to take a gift away from the child having the birthday. Open presents after the guests have gone home. But don't forget to help your child send prompt thank you notes!
#7: Let Your Guests Blow Off Steam
Birthday parties are very exciting for small children, so don't expect them to be happy sitting quietly doing crafts or watching television. Plan some vigorous games that will let them run off that excess energy. Popular choices include hide and seek (limit the hiding to one part of the house), scavenger hunts (use pictures instead of words on the list of items each child is given to find), races, tag, and even an old-fashioned game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey (use a Velcro tail rather than a real pin).
#8: Keep An Eye On Your Guests
Some kids are shy and socially awkward. If you notice a child being ostracized at your children birthday party, find a way to draw him or her into the group again. Don't tolerate excessive teasing or name-calling.
#9: Consider Hiring Some Entertainment
Performer's costs are usually quite reasonable, and a clown, professional storyteller, or magician may be just what your children birthday party needs to get it off the ground.
#10: Keep Pets Out Of The Way
Even a gentle cat or dog may get excited or exasperated and snap if there are too many kids around. Smaller animals like hamsters and gerbils may get sick from being handled too much or over-stimulated. It's better to keep your pets separate from the party.
Planning a children birthday party can take time, energy, and imagination, but if you put a little thought into your child's birthday celebration, you just might find yourself hosting the preschool social blowout of the year.