Nowadays, organizing a children’s birthday is increasingly outsourced to a professional organization. Such parties cost a lot of money. Parents often don’t know that with some ideas and a little creativity they can arrange a fun afternoon for much less money. Here are a few suggestions.
How you can easily organize a children’s party yourself with a little help
I will first give you some general instructions, then a few practical tips for children who like to do crafts. Then some ideas for themed parties. Then tips for a slumber party and finally ideas for the meal.
First some general tips
- A children’s party does not have to last very long. About three hours, four at the most, is enough, especially when it comes to small children. Don’t be fooled by other parents who let a party last for hours. You are also your own boss in the house when determining the number of children. A fun party really doesn’t depend on inviting half the class!
- Whatever you come up with, don’t make it too complicated. Limit yourself to the theme and don’t include too many attributes. Dressing up, for example, can keep children busy for a long time.
- Start by making a list of what you need. During the party, making a list of the things you plan to do step by step is also useful. In the hustle and bustle it’s easy to forget something. This way you avoid having forgotten treats in the refrigerator afterwards.
- Make sure everything is ready in advance, but in such a way that the children cannot see it or touch it. Of course, it should remain a surprise what you are going to do and you want to remain in control.
- Arrange help so that one person can keep an eye on the children and the other has their hands free to get everything ready and put it away again.
- Don’t be afraid to take action against unwanted behavior. You are the boss in your own home and are free to let it be known that you do not want certain behavior or statements. Try to do it tactically so that it doesn’t ruin the atmosphere. Don’t turn it into a power struggle, remember it’s only for a few hours!
- Provide variety in busy and quiet activities. So, for example, eat and drink something after action. Or after something that has required attention, let’s have some fun (outside). If there is no opportunity to go outside, an activity such as choosing your own treats can also provide peace of mind. If the children become very busy, a short video can also provide a solution.
- Arrange eating and drinking moments together at the table and make it a real break. That often works better than preparing everything with the intention that it can be taken freely. Children often have no control and start eating everything one after the other. And they no longer have an eye or ear for what has been organised. Wait before offering a snack until the previous part has been completed and all attention has been paid to eating and drinking.
- And one last tip: try to enjoy it, your child’s birthday only comes once a year. This way you will be tired but satisfied at the end of the party!
Now the practical tips
For children who like to do crafts and work with their hands.
- Place plants in decorated pots: Buy red stone plant pots. Have it painted on the outside. You have to try this out yourself beforehand to see if the paint sticks well. The children fill the pots outside with potting soil and place a flowering plant in them. These could be violets or other plants with flowers in cheerful colors. Check out what’s on offer at the hardware store or garden center.
- Painting boxes: The children paint small wooden boxes (these can be bought for little money at Xenos). As long as the paint is still wet, glittering stones can be stuck on. This can also be done later with a little glue. At the end of the party, the boxes can be filled with something tasty.
- Making necklace pendants: Fill plaster molds in advance and let a paper clip dry in them to create a pendant. The children paint this and take it home with a string attached to it so that it becomes a chain. You can optionally spray the hangers with varnish from a spray can for a nice shiny effect.
- Stringing bead necklaces: Find all kinds of beads in cheap stores so that there is a large supply and string them into beautiful necklaces and bracelets.
- Making kites: There are ready-made building boards available for making a kite. These can be copied onto thin paper. Buy pieces of wood, for example long satay skewers, and thin rope. The paper can first be decorated with felt-tip pens. When the kites are ready, they must of course be released outside.
- In the autumn, make ‘old-fashioned’ dolls and animals from acorns and chestnuts: Use a ferret drill to make holes and use skewers or matches for the legs. Many children have never done this before and will really enjoy it!
- Have a white mug painted with special paint that can be washed in the dishes.
For children who like to move and dress up, you can plan a party around a theme.
- A princess party: Ask family and friends in advance if they have colorful dresses and nightgowns. The children dress up and have their faces painted. Let them make crowns. Place a large full-length mirror. Afterwards there is a fancy meal with pink cakes and bubbles of lemonade. The cakes can first be decorated with anything, so the princesses can be busy for a while. An evil stepmother can enter the palace who gives all kinds of orders or a witch who enchants everything. A treasure hunt for the prince enchanted in a frog can complete the party. Take a group photo at the end that you can take home.
- A fashion show: This is a bit similar to the previous idea. Collect all sorts of clothes, hats, high heels and jewelry. Create a real catwalk by lining up boxes with a runner over them. Arrange someone to announce the models. And of course take photos or a film. The film can be watched afterwards.
- A pirate party: Provide eye patches, red handkerchiefs to tie around the head and of course the hook on one hand! This is available at a party supply store, but you can also make it yourself by inserting black electrical wire through an empty yogurt cup. Then everyone dress up and do a treasure hunt: ‘looking for the treasure’. Also fun are games such as ‘wooden leg competition’ or catching fish from a bowl of water. When hunger comes, the children can chew chicken legs like a real pirate and drink from large mugs.
- A ghost party: Around the end of October, buy Halloween attributes such as ghost stuff, cobwebs, spiders, witches, etc. Collect old sheets and cut holes in them for the eyes. Or when it gets dark, organize a ghost tour in a nearby park or in your own home. There are licorice spiders and other sweets for sale or you can make ghost cookies in advance from shortcrust pastry with white icing. You can also let the children decorate their own ghosts with a white sandwich cut in the shape of a ghost. There is white coconut bread as a spread. This is also possible with some imagination