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| 15 Helpful Hints for Hosting a Fun, Successful Birthday Party for your Child. | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Planning a child's birthday party is stressful and time consuming and can be a down-right hassle. Use these helpful hints to simplify your planning, get organized and host a successful, fun party for kids (and adults.) These tips are NOT mandatory guidelines or instructions for having a Creature Teacher party. I simply put them here to give you ideas for hosting a party. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Length of party. The average children's birthday party runs between 1 1/2 and 3 hours in length. In that time, you will need to plan for various activities like opening presents, eating cake and ice cream, playing games and having some sort of craft or entertainment, if you wish. Parties that are too long can become boring and tiresome and parties that are too short may be rushed and too stressful. So plan a few activities ahead of time, leaving 20 to 30 minutes for each. Also, take into consideration the average age of the children. If most of the children will be 3 or 4 years old, a two hour party is long enough. For older children, a slightly longer party will be appropriate. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2. Themes. Having "theme" parties is all the rage these days. If your child wants special theme like Spiderman, safari, tea party or Madagascar, then go with that. If you child cannot think of a special theme he or she would like, then press the issue and just plan on simple games, decorations and a "Happy Birthday" cake. Specific themes are not a necessity and do not make or break a party. The main goal is to make the birthday child feel special and that all the kids have fun things to do. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 3. Invitations and Decorations. Make sure to send out your invitations no later than 3 weeks prior to the party date. Invitations should include information such as date, start time and end time (so parents know when to pick up their child) and location of the party as well as directions, parking instructions and RSVP contacts. Do not give invitations to more children than you want to show up. Many parents make the mistake of sending out 40 invitations expecting only 30 will show up. Then, they find out that not only are all 40 children coming but they are bringing siblings too. Small parties are acceptable and you can always invite more kids later on. Whether you have a special them or not, your local party supply store should have everything you need from animal themed plates and cups to Cinderella streamers and balloons. Don't go overboard with decorations. Tall folks won't appreciate dodging balloons hanging from the ceiling. Glitter is messy and "tooters" will be annoying to everone by the 2nd hour of the party. Remember, a few balloons tied to your mailbox and on street corners will make it much easier for your guests to go directly to your location. There's nothing a host dreads more than the constant ringing of the telephone by lost guests asking for directions. Also include a large trash can, plenty of dinner ware, cups and drinks for kids and adults and place a few extra chairs around the house for your guests. You might also consider removing or unplugging the television as there is nothing that puts a damper on guest interaction quicker than a crowd of people huddled around watching a football game. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4. Number of children. Many parents make the mistake of inviting ALL of their child's friends from school, church, neighborhood and relatives from out of town. When 40 kids show up, the party becomes chaotic, the clean up take days and it's just plain tiring. For a fun, successful party, consider limiting the number of children your son or daughter can invite. The party will be enjoyable not only for you but for the birthday child, his friends and attending parents. The younger the children, the fewer attendees should be at the party. For instance, a party for youngsters 3 to 5 years old, should include less than 15 children. Parties for children 6 years old and older, less that twenty five children should be plenty. If an older sibling will be present, allow him or her to invite one close friend for the day so they have someone their own age to play with and talk to. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5. Entertainment. Looking for a specific entertainer or show? Online websites are great sources of information for entertainers in your area. Whatever the show-clowns, tea parties, magicians, etc.- do not spend an outrageous amount of money on entertainment alone. Average prices these day for a 45 minute show, run around $150.00 to $200.00. Be sure to start your party at least 30 minutes prior to when you expect your performer so that they do not have to stand around waiting for late arrivals. Ringing doorbells and the opening and closing of doors during a show is always rude and a huge disruption to a speaking performer. Prior to the party, pick a special spot for the entertainer to perform. A private location away from distractions and dangerous items such as swings, barbeques, trampolines, sand boxes, bikes etc, is always appreciated. Whatever type of entertainment you choose, the performer will most likely be loading and unloading supplies, have to battle bad weather and work traffic and travel long distances. Please show your appreciation with the appropriate amount of gratuity. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6. Appoint an assistant. Select a close friend or relative that plans on staying for the full duration of the party to assist you with certain tasks. Have this person be responsible for answering the door, giving a warm greeting to your guests and directing your guests as to where to put gifts and personal items like purses, coats and hats. They may also explain where restrooms are located and where to find snacks and cold drinks. Also, have this person distribute checks to anyone you might need to pay like the pizza man, caterer or entertainer. Write out your checks ahead of time, put the check in a sealed envelope and give them to your assistant. While he or she is finalizing transactions with the entertainer or caterer, you will be free to start other activites like singing happy birthday and gift giving. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7. Have designated areas. A separate area designated for specific activities or items will help make smooth transitions and eliminate confusion. If you plan on having a craft, make a table specifically for the children to sit and attend to their crafts. Another separate area or table can be assigned for cake and ice cream and another area, like around the fireplace, to set all gifts and open presents. Put your entertainer in a room with appropriate heating/air conditioning and without TV's and hanging balloons and streamers. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 8. Games and crafts. Games and crafts are always a big hit a children's parties. Many traditional games are fun and inexpensive like Duck, Duck Goose, Hide and Go Seek, Leap Frog and Freese Tag. With the purchase of a few items, other game choices include Balloon Toss, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Jell-o Eatin' Contest, Bobbing for Apples or Bean Bag Toss. Another fun activity is to hide plastic animals around the yard and give the kids 10 minutes to fine them all. For younger children, try hiding the animals in a sandbox and have a "Dinosaur Dig". And don't forget the ever popular pinata! When it comes to crafts, kids can make edible jewelry, paint a T-shirt, decorate a hat, door tag or picture frame or make a caterpillar or butterfly out of egg crates. Your local Michael's store has great craft ideas any day of the year. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Party Tips continued | |||||||||||||||||||
| 903/451-1904 972/345-8544 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Birthday Parties Touch Tables Small Group Programs (1 to 40 persons) Assemblies (40 to 300 persons) In the News (See a video clip) Creatures of the Sea List of Animals Course List Email Us!! *New FAQ's Mileage Fees *New Myths about Animals *New Trivia about The Creature Teacher |
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