Tell Disney Party your top tips on how to create the best children’s parties - £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[EllieMumsnet]

Is it party planning time? Is one of your DC’s birthdays coming up? Perhaps there is a baby shower on the horizon or maybe you’re throwing a tea party or simply hosting a BBQ? Whatever the event, Disney Party can help you create the perfect Disney themed celebration and want to know your top tips on how you create/plan the best parties.

Here’s what Disney have to say about Disney Party:
"Disney Party is the one-stop shop for all things needed to create the perfect party. The site provides free and easy scheduling tools and of course, the extensive party shop with everything from plates and napkins to banners and balloons. There are party game ideas, free invitations, a free party planning service and some delicious recipes which are great for little ones. Visit Disney Party and let us know what you think via Instagram using #DisneyParty"

Do you start planning months in advance or is improvisation key? Do you or don’t you open presents with the party guests? How do you go about choosing the right date? Party rings, finger sandwiches or cheese and pineapple sticks…what’s your go-to party food? Is it better to hire a venue or host it in your home? Do you have a schedule for the day or simply go with the flow?

Whatever your tips are to create the best party, Disney Party want to hear them. Share it on the thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw with a chance of winning a £300 voucher of your choice (from a list).


Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[rackhampearl]

This year for DD I am doing a Disney Princess themed party. The food will all be related to Disney movies.
Our 'Be our Guest' party menu will include a selection of:
•Belle's Beautiful Sandwiches
•Sleeping Beauty's Sparkling Scones (mini scones with edible lustre)
•Ariels Thingamabobs (mixed tapas, cheese, olives, cucumber and carrot batons ect) •Cinderellas Charming Cake Selection, •Pocahontas Pretty Pies & Pastries (sausage Rolls, mini pork pies etc)
•Tiana's Tempting Treats (more tapas style food thinking quiche, scotch eggs)
• Rapunzels Refreshments (juices, water etc)

Aside from the food I'm gonna have myself and two sisters each pampering the girls with any colour scheme/theme they like, ie. Yellow, Blue and Red Nail Polishes for Snow White
Yellow and Gold for Belle etc

Disney Princess Songs playing at the party.

Guess the princess. Give the girls clues regarding hair colour, i.e., blonde, other clues, is friends with a mouse. Would be Cinderella, first girl to answer gets a prize.

Move it like Moana. Moana version of musical statues to all 3 Moana songs. Last one standing will get a Moana themed toy.

Elsa's Frozen Egg & Spoon race. Painting eggs blue with glitter for frozen effect.

Moanas Lucky Dip for the Party bags, sand Pit filled with seashells and small favour bags hidden within. All girls get the same.

That's all I've got for now. DD is 6 in December.

[Rosehips]

An hour of play and games, food, cake, another half hour play then get the party bags out and off they go.

[Falconhoof1]

Pretty much same as Rosehips! The kids just enjoy getting presents, eating rubbish and playing with friends. I've always tried not to set the bar too high!

[Theimpossiblegirl]

You can't beat the traditional party games- pass the parcel, music statues, sleeping bunnies etc. MY main tip is to do the parcel with a sweet in each later, fix it so they all win, then shut your eyes for the final k ayer (wrapped in a different paper so you know).
As for food, traditional is good. If you're on a budget, pad it out with biscuits.

[Theimpossiblegirl]

Layer
My phone must not know that word!

[InvisibleKittenAttack]

Disney won't like this - but not everything needs to be on theme, party plates or napkins for the theme are enough - children don't really notice if you buy much cheaper white paper/plastic cups

Hiring a hall so a) it's not in your house and b) you only have to clean up once is definitely worth it if budget stretches. Younger children don't need hours of games, schedule in some time with music on and let them run around/dance.

[sharond101]

Mini makeover party. Paint nails, glitter tattoos, hair braiding and glitter hairspray. Washed down with mocktails and chocolate fountain.

[starlight36]

Don't over-cater. In our experience children are usually way too excited to eat much. Agree with format of an hour's play or activity, 1/2 hour or so for lunch and cake and then another 1/2 hour of play.

[RatOnnaStick]

1. Ring venue of choice
   
2. Book party
   
3. Invite children
   
4. Get cake and party bag bits
   
5. Turn up
   
6. Go home
   

Everyone's happy. No mess or fuss.

[firawla]

I like the ones with least effort required, so that I can just enjoy seeing the kids enjoy their party, rather than running around madly sorting things. We did a football party where they gave coaches to supervise and do all the games. Joint party with friends of similiar birthday has been great too. Worst was pizza express, done when son was turning 6. I think they were too young for it as so many kids were hyper and not enough games and supervision offered!

[TellMeItsNotTrue]

Do you start planning months in advance or is improvisation key?
I wouldn't say months, but definitely give myself a few weeks, especially useful if you want to order any supplies or party bag items online. If you leave it last minute it can be hard to get the venue or entertainer you want, and invites will be given out last minute meaning people may already have plans so you won't have as good a turn out

Do you or don’t you open presents with the party guests?
Don't, thanked and present put to one side, try to make a note of what they were given when they open afterwards and do a thankyou note when young and get them to do one as they get older

How do you go about choosing the right date?
Closest weekend to the birthday

Party rings, finger sandwiches or cheese and pineapple sticks…what’s your go-to party food?
Jam sandwiches, crisps, fruit kebabs and cakes

Is it better to hire a venue or host it in your home?
Venue definitely - easier to tidy up at the end, don't have to move anything you don't want touching, easier to keep them contained whereas at home one or two can dissappear in to the bedrooms while going to the toilet, can fit more people in, no worry about drinks or food going on carpets or soft furnishing

Do you have a schedule for the day or simply go with the flow
Schedule, I'm flexible with timing but always have more activities than I will need just in case things don't go to plan, eating takes less time then I thought etc.

[asuwere]

I choose a venue that does everything (including party bags!), all I need to do is send out invites, show up on the day and pay. :) And we've agreed certain ages that our DC will get a party so they don't expect one every year.

[FlowerTink]

I find Jelly and cake is always a winner. I try not to worry too much about being 'healthy' when doing a birthday party, they enjoy party rings and mini sausage rolls and some crisps and it's fun to have a "treat" lunch.

Also pass the parcel is always a good game - as long as you make sure everyone gets a go at opening and sweet.

[BeeMyBaby]

I usually start getting party bag contents a few months in advance as they I can get some things shipped from china at a much cheaper price and I can get a lot in sales. We have only done two whole class parties but we were firm with no presents as it would have been too much stuff for my children and it also took the burden of cost away from the other parents and so instead we suggested the children draw a picture for my daughters if they wanted to (we still have all the cards and pictures however we wouldn't have still had the gifts so it does last longer).

[SandysMam]

My DS loves all things Toy Story so a Buzz Light Year party would be his idea of heaven. The best game would be "Andy's Coming" where the children pretend to be toys then someone shouts "Andy's coming" and they chuck themselves down on the floor. Whoever moves is out! Basically Toy Story Musical Statues!

[PoppyPopcorn]

My top tip is always to have extra activities or games up your sleeve which you can whip out if needed. Kids go through games and crafty things far more quickly than you think! Keepy-uppy with balloons is a good one, or sleeping lions when they all start to get a bit raucous...

[theresamustgo]

I always put a lot of efforts into themes and then organise games around that...elaborate treasure hunts, sensory games like blindfold tasting or smells, making music, traditional party games and really nice food...not kiddie food, but proper good bread, cheese, naice ham etc. And alcohol if the adults want it and a flexible end time. People always love them.

[Sleepysausage]

Planning well in advance always makes party planning less stressful to me.
That way I can keep an eye open for deals on the things we'll need and more time to think up ideas and make decisions. I always find I spend more the less time I have as I panic buy

[DuskPanda]

Pottery painting, trampolining, anything that is not at home, has an activity involved and food can be bought in.

[honeyandginger48]

I've organised all sorts of different parties over the years eg swimming parties, soft play parties, parties at Outward bound centres, indoor climbing centres etc BUT my favourite parties have always been the traditional parties at home with games, finger food, balloons, a cake and party bags to take home.

[PootLovato]

We're doing a 'Cars' themed party this year and we've been thinking about themed food that we can put on - thinking drive through so hotdogs, popcorn, rice crispie treats dotted with red, amber, green smarties to look like traffic lights etc.

We usually play party games so will be revamping musical bumps to 'musical tractors' - when the music stops, the kids should tip up (safely, of course! ) like the tractors in the Cars films.

We've bought some Cars party decorations from Disney party but unfortunately a lot of it is sold out now!

[Ren1974]

When we have had parties for the children we plan well in advance. A few months prior, on each grocery shopping trip we buy a pack of paper plates or serviettes etc. We also save a few pounds a month with our local supermarket's saving scheme to buy the party food and when it comes to preparing the food, nanas and aunties help out.

I find the biggest stress and effort is the parties bags so now as my son's birthday is in December, I simply get each child a small selection box which are often on offer :)

[NeverTwerkNaked]

My life is hectic, so I always book a venue and hire entertainment. I loved the parties my parents held in our home, but juggling work and children and hospital trips means I just can't face it. I always give the child a say in the type of party. One likes soft play normally, the other likes dancing parties!
I keep the food pretty simple, as I find the children are generally too excited to eat much. but do like to decorate a bit to make the venue feel special.

The key is to definitely have party bags or similar to signal the end of the party and encourage people out of the door!

[Alexandra87]

I usually pick a theme and then everything (decorations, food, games, music etc.) match the theme.