Birthday Parties

Planning a kid birthday party can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. I tend to lean more toward overwhelming than fun, but I do love to see my kids exited for their big day. Here is my way of organizing, which I hope help others who don’t find themselves in love with party planning.

Venue

The first step is to determine if you are going to have the party at your house or at a venue. There are positives and negatives to both these decisions.

At Home Birthday

Credit: iStock | Jovanmandic

Set a budget: This is important for staying within your financial limitations and ensuring you have enough to cover all the necessary supplies. Make sure to include food, decorations, party favors, gifts, etc.
Choose a theme: This will help personalize the event and make it more exciting for your child. If you need some inspiration, make sure to check out our ideas for Minions Birthday Party, Budget-Friendly Unicorn Birthday Party, An Idea for Under $50, Ideas that require minimal planning, Lego Party, Star Wars Party and the Wild Kratts Party!
Invite guests: Decide on the number of guests you wish to invite and get the invitations out in plenty of time. You can also consider whether or not adults should be invited, as they can help with supervision. I’ve done parties that have invited the whole class and some that have just been 4-5 friends. Your call, but my preference is that a smaller group makes for more quality time together.
Prepare food: Make sure there is enough food for everyone, including special dietary needs if applicable. Finger foods are generally best for younger children, as they make it easier to eat while still being able to participate in activities. I am a personal fan of outsourcing my baked goods, so make sure you do whatever works best for you. You don’t have to do it all yourself.
Plan activities: Have some games and activities planned that will keep your little ones entertained throughout the day. Consider age-appropriate options such as treasure hunts, crafts, etc. My tip here is that they go through games faster than you think, but also sometimes kids just need room to play and make up their own games. Plan, but have flexibility!
Decorate: Have fun with the decorations, whether you choose a theme or personalize them for your child’s special day. Get creative and make sure to add some festive touches throughout the house.
Take photos: Make sure to capture the day’s memories by taking plenty of pictures with family and friends! This will help create lasting memories that can be cherished for years to come.

An Out of Home Birthday Party

Credit: iStock | Boggy22

I haven’t done a ton of these simply because of the cost, but I love the idea of completely outsourcing. From local museums, to bounce house places to the arcade, there are so many options. I think it would be really fun to either rent out a theatre or bring just a couple friends to a movie for a birthday party. We’ve also been to parties where it’s a few girls getting their nails done and then going out for some tea next door. This option doesn’t always have to be the expensive location.

Invitations

Just do evite or another electronic invitation. Text it to parents. Boom. Done. Easy. I personally love getting the auto reminder!

Birthday Party Etiquette

Awhile back I wrote a blog about birthday party etiquette because I had no idea how many birthday parties my kids would be invited to over their younger years.

I think it is super helpful to do a few of these things when you send out the invitations to ensure clear expectations.

Communicate all details. Include drop off and pick up times. If you need to be somewhere right after the party, make note of that so kids or parents don’t linger. If siblings are welcome to stay, make note of that. If you don’t want that, make note of that too. Overcommunicate!
If you want parents to stay and help, it’s okay to ask. Sometimes a few extra hands would be great. Feel free to say that, but don’t expect it. There may be no one available, but there is never a problem letting parents know they can stay if they’d like. Some parents love to do this!

As a mom, there are so many things to stress and worry about. Don’t make birthday parties one of them. Make sure that whatever you plan for your family it is a fun, relaxed time. You don’t want your child to only remember the fact that you were super stressed the whole time and not having any fun. Take a moment to remember the reason you are having the birthday in the first place. To celebrate your child!

Alternatives to Birthday Parties

If you are thinking that birthday parties are just not your cup of tea, that’s fine too. Consider some of these alternatives. Plus, you can add in special elements to make them more significant and meaningful. I love this idea for a 13-year old!

Experiences

Credit: iStock | vgajic

Birthday parties don’t always have to be the same old thing. There are plenty of alternatives that can add a new twist to celebrating your special day. If you want something a little different than the traditional party, consider doing one of these activities.

Have an outdoor movie night – Set up a projector, get some snacks and drinks, and settle down for a movie under the stars.
Go camping – Celebrate your birthday with friends by spending the night in nature. Enjoy some stargazing, campfire stories and s’mores.
Have a game night – Invite your closest friends over for an evening of board games or video games. This is a great way to have fun and bond with your friends
Go for a hike – Spend time exploring nature and get some exercise in the process. This is a perfect way to celebrate your day while enjoying the beauty of outdoors.
Have a picnic – Pack up some food and head out to an outdoor park or beach for a picnic. This is a great way to enjoy some delicious food, relax and celebrate with your friends.
Have a craft day – Spend the day crafting something special to commemorate your birthday. Whether it’s painting, drawing or making jewelry, this is sure to be an enjoyable activity.

Get out of town – I love a close getaway to a local hotel just to get away for a night. It’s a fun thing to do with your favorite person or as a whole family!

Birthday parties here we go! I want to hear from you! What are your favorite birthday parties?