Entertaining Kids - a few simple rules to successfully entertaining children, for both the enjoyment of your guests, and the happiness of your own child.  From Help Me Host It. We will show you how to: Involve your child, Don't Overdo It, Watch your budget, Create a plan, Maximize your time and efficiency. An more

    Entertaining children can be a little more daunting than entertaining adults.  Adults can be left to their own defenses in a party environment (although that's not the best way to have a successful party) but kids, well, if you don't entertain them, they'll either find a way to entertain themselves, which can be disastrous, or they'll be bored to tears and your son or daughter won't have the very best party that they want.   No pressure, right?  But there are a few simple rules to successfully entertaining children, for both the enjoyment of your guests, and the happiness of your own child. 

  1. Involve your child.  Surprises aren't the best choice for entertaining kids.  Now, you can have elements of the party that are a surprise (like the final look of the party space, or the cake) but part of the fun for your child is the planning of the party
    1. Your child will also be a good barometer for whether your idea is cool or lame. 
    2. Involving your child ensures that the party you are planning reflects the interests and personality of your child. 
    3. And from a parenting perspective, it's also a great way to get some fun time with your child, which, as they get older, can be hard to come by.    
       
  2. Don't Overdo It!  Sometimes our imagination can be bigger than our party, or our budget for that matter.  Make sure you know your budget, your resources, how much time you will have, and how much help you will have. 
    1. Focus your attention on that things that really matter to your child - make sure you concentrate on what will make the party fun - really cool decorations or perfectly shaped food won't matter if your guests are bored.  However, even the simplest decorations are enough if you have some great activities!
    2. Enlist family and some parents to lend a hand so that your efforts are distributed and you can enjoy the party too.
    3. While you're on this site, watch for items marked with our Time Saving Icon that let you know that an idea is a time saver
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  3. Watch Your Budget.  Plan what your budget is going to be and stick to it.  Itemize the things that will have a cost associated with them.  Consider invitations, decorations, food, the cake, costs associated with activities and entertainment and party favors and prizes.  Some strategic shopping will be really useful here!
    1. Check our the Guidance on Children's Parties on a Budget.

  4. Create a Plan.  Diagram your party, from start to finish.  You can use our Party Notes, or, if you are a hands on person, use a notebook. 
    1. Invitations/Party Reminders/Thank you Notes - ideas, what you need, timeframes
    2. Decorations (party space and tables) - ideas, what you need, timeframes to complete elements (an you do it ahead???)
    3. Refreshments (Food, Drinks, Desert/Cake) - what ingredients do you need, bakery/caterer contact information, when items need to be prepared/cooked/reheated.
    4. Entertainment - contact information for entertainers, any supplies necessary, timeframe for arrival/departure
    5. Activities - what activities will you have, what do you need, how long will they last, activity "schedule:
    6. Music - CD's that you plan on playing!
    7. Party Favors/Prizes - ideas, what you have purchased, what you still need, sales, etc. 
    8. Have "Plan B" for entertainers who don't show or bad weather. 

  5. Maximize Your Time and Efficiency.  If it can be done ahead, then do it ahead!  If there's a shortcut, then take it!  The goal is to have as little to do the day of the party as possible.  Get your volunteers ready - let them know what they will be doing and when it has to be done by - delegate, delegate, delegate!
    1. Start planning at least six weeks before your party.  This makes sure that you can shop for sales, get your entertainers or venue, and have enough time to accomplish "do ahead" party items.
      1. If you are a "last minute" person, it can be done, but there will be some "costs", literally.  Last minute shipping, no sales, and the possibility that guests may already have plans for your date.   
    1. You just never know what's going to happen, so try to get as much done ahead of time as possible.  We always underestimate how much time things take, so the more you get done ahead of time the better your party day will be because it minimizes panic when you realize how much you still have left to do!
    2. What can be purchased ready made?  How much will you REALLY save if you do it yourself?  Focus the "do it myself" items on those things that either aren't available or will really be a Budget Booster.  Toss in a few items that will simply be fun to do or would be fun for you and your party kid to do together.
    3. Get Volunteers!  The Party Kid, your family, a friend or two, can all be enlisted to help with this party.  If you want to be silly, send out "draft notices" for "Party Planning Maneuvers".  Have a list with what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and whose going to do it (you can use our Party Notes Checklist that allows you to Delegate!)  Post it on the fridge and have everyone check items off as they are accomplished.
      1. Compare your list of things that need to be done with your list of people who are willing and able to help and find matches.  An artistic relative can do face painting or host the Arts and Crafts events, a neighbor with a mini-van can get the balloons.  Once you've made the obvious matches then pass out the generic stuff.  

  6. Remember the Age and Abilities of your guests.  When you plan food, events and entertainment remember the age of most of your guests.  Will something be too difficult, or too easy?  Are you planning gourmet foods when really you should be heating chicken nuggets?  Are your decorations a little too realistic and scary, or have you gone the other direction where it's just too "cute" for your big kid?  Have your Party Kid QC your plan.  Also, watch what kids are doing at other parties in your child's class or group of friends.  What works, what doesn't? 

  7. BE FLEXIBLE!  When you are dealing with kids, do NOT expect everything to go as planned.  If entertaining smaller children, expect a tantrum or two, or a few bouts of tears, with older kids it may be effort to let them forget how "cool" they are and get them to engage in what you've planned.  Something that you planned would take a while may go more quickly and something unexpected (like "My Story") can happen that blows your entire schedule.  Be ready, don't be completely wed to your plan, and have contingencies in place.   

  8. Enjoy!  Birthday parties are remembered by your kids.  There will be pictures, video, stories told, all which will etch this day and this party into their minds.  Make sure that the memories are fun.  Share the party with your Party Kid - even if they are too "big" to want you around for the party itself, have fun planning it with them - and if they are little enough to still think Mom is cool, well, enjoy that while you can.