Top Tips for Planning the Perfect Birthday Party for Toddlers and School-Aged Children
Planning a child's birthday party can be a stressful experience. As a parent you probably struggle with questions like:
How many people should I invite?; How long should the party be?; and the big question... What should I do with a group of energetic of kids?
While the list may seem long and daunting, just remember, planning an awesome party at your home, local park or other setting doesn't have to be nerve wracking. So take a deep breath and find the answers by checking out these tips from the party experts at Awesome Entertainment.
Top Tips for the Perfect Party
Plan Ahead!
Six weeks out is the ideal time to get planning into full gear. Start to gather the invite list with your child, set the budget, and PICK THE THEME! Picking the theme will be the basis of many of your decisions from decorations to entertainment to activities. It is also ideal to contact a party planning service to help coordinate activities with you. Or if you are looking to hire entertainers or rent party equipment, now is the time. Don't wait until the last minute; especially if you have a particular character or activity in mind.
Party Length Should Reflect the Age of the Guests
For toddlers, parties should be around 2 hours. Little ones tire out fast and need naps. There is nothing like a fussy toddler to make a parent sweat during an event. For older school-aged children, 3-4 hours is usually more than enough time for fun and to wear them out.
Keep the Party Moving with Entertainment and Activities
There are plenty of activities and entertainment options to keep toddlers, school-aged kids, as well as their adult "handlers," entertained.
Characters/Princesses/Superheroes
Toddlers and School-aged children both love imaginative play, music, and movement. Party characters/mascots/princesses impersonators definitely fit the bill and can provide much fun and produce plenty of smiles.
With literally hundreds of popular party character impersonators, you are sure to find your child’s favorite!
When you have a party character at your party, they can participate in activities* such as:
Meet & Greets
Pose for Photos
Singing Happy Birthday
Dancing Around
Simple Host-Planned Activities
Hugs & Handshakes**
*It is essential when choosing entertainers, to ask us what tasks and activities characters are permitted to participate. Many times characters will sing, dance, and pose for pictures with party guests. However, sometimes a costume may have restrictions on what the entertainer can do. If you have something in mind, make sure you discuss it with us in advance.
**In addition, we follow hygiene and safety suggestions that may include "no contact" character visits and "virtual" hugs.
Our family friendly entertainers keep kiddos of all ages engaged: Magicians, Balloon-twisters, and Face-painters are extremely popular go-to ideas.
We have also added Puppet Theatre to our entertainment line-up and so far it has been a hit with toddlers and pre-school aged children. Our puppet theater cast captivates audiences with its retelling of beloved fairy tales such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumplestiltskin and our unique Nutrition Salsa program developed to teach littles ones about healthy eating.
With entertainers such as Balloon-Twisters, Caricature Artists, and Face-painters, make sure you allocate enough time so all guests can participate. Otherwise, you may want to either extend the time of the entertainer or have more than one available at the party.
Games are an essential element of any party. Keep little ones occupied and having fun! Some of the best parties incorporate a theme such as a carnival theme complete with carnival-style games and prizes. Our duck pond and star catcher games are especially fun for the smaller kids.
Art activities are also trendy. Things like spin art, stuff-a-bear, and spin art t-shirts can be loads of fun. These activities are a great way to incorporate a “parting gift” for all that attend. Kids love having a take-home that is something they created! Please keep in mind, parents may need to assist kids with their activities depending on age.
Bounce Houses, Rides and Attractions
Depending on the space you have available, kids always love a good bounce house or foam pit! Bounce houses come in a variety of styles, themes, and sizes, and will keep little ones entertained and active for hours. There are even bounces houses that are designed for indoor spaces like basements and garages.
Other extremely unique options include our trackless train, Merry-Go-Round, foam pits, water slides, and iceless skating rink.
With bounces houses and other large scale attractions, it is critical to make sure the company is fully insured and has the proper safety inspections on file.
While bounces can get a bad wrap sometimes for safety, it is all in the hands of the operator. Bounces if used and cared for properly are safe. At Awesome Entertainment, safety is a priority! Learn more about how we work to keep you and our team safe.
While there is a lot to think about when planning a party, the rewards and smile on your child's face outweigh the work. And remember, there are professionals available to help you every step of the way! So take the guesswork and stress out of party planning and leave it to the team at Awesome Entertainment.