Tips and tricks advice

[Gentlydoesit2]

Hi all

Holding a 4th birthday party in a few weeks but it's my first party so looking for tips and tricks please.... Also looking for ideas for party bags (eco friendly)
There are about 12 children in total
Soft play and bouncy castle with a buffet

Keep the food to finger food and use disposables.
Have plenty of wipes available.
Make sure there are enough adults to supervise the children and control the exits.
Maybe have fun labels for all the children so people know their names.
Put a book in each party bag eg The Works sells children’s books very cheaply. The Book People also used to do this.
Have a cake to cut but also buy cup cakes so the party bags can be made up in advance and you aren’t desperately trying to cut and wrap the cake as people are leaving.
Enjoy!

Is it in a centre or are you renting a bouncy castle for your garden?
I would make it clear if you would like parents to stay or if they can drop off and pick up later.

Also, you may need to account for one or two extras in case siblings come along (considered bad form, but it happens😳!)

Go simple with the buffet...nothing fancy. Kids won't eat it!

Have a great time!

With any party- pray for peace, prepare for chaos! (Especially if your guests are 4 and under.) If parents are staying rally them into helping (eg breaking up squabbles or taking children to the toilet). If you don't have many adults there make sure you know all the children's names so they know who you are talking to at any time.

Be aware of the exits - make sure no kids wander out.

Make sure you have a LIGHTER, CAKE KNIFE and GARBAGE BAGS :)

Don't open gifts at the party, take them all home to open.

Make sure you have plenty of water or access to drinking water for thirsty kids.

Sunscreen if outside!

Delegate a partner or friend to take lots of pictures in case you forget in the moment.

It doesn't have to be perfect. Don't worry about the details of the party, enjoy the celebration of the birthday child.

Delegate jobs to your 'party squad' (partner, friends, the birthday child themself) to help you get it all organised for the day, don't try to do everything yourself. This can include helping with things like filling the party bags or preparing the buffet.

Eco friendly party bags could include: seeds to grow in the garden, simple origami set (colourful paper and instructions), organic chocolate or candies. Or go for a zero plastic party bag.

Biggest tip? HAVE FUN. Enjoy celebrating your little ones birthday, connecting with their friends and other parents. It will pass in a blur, be as present as possible and enjoy :)

Be prepared to have kids turn up with older siblings whose parents want to leave them at the party.
Decide in advance whether you can / will accommodate them

@hanafiesta

With any party- pray for peace, prepare for chaos! (Especially if your guests are 4 and under.) If parents are staying rally them into helping (eg breaking up squabbles or taking children to the toilet). If you don't have many adults there make sure you know all the children's names so they know who you are talking to at any time.

Be aware of the exits - make sure no kids wander out.

Make sure you have a LIGHTER, CAKE KNIFE and GARBAGE BAGS :)

Don't open gifts at the party, take them all home to open.

Make sure you have plenty of water or access to drinking water for thirsty kids.

Sunscreen if outside!

Delegate a partner or friend to take lots of pictures in case you forget in the moment.

It doesn't have to be perfect. Don't worry about the details of the party, enjoy the celebration of the birthday child.

Delegate jobs to your 'party squad' (partner, friends, the birthday child themself) to help you get it all organised for the day, don't try to do everything yourself. This can include helping with things like filling the party bags or preparing the buffet.

Eco friendly party bags could include: seeds to grow in the garden, simple origami set (colourful paper and instructions), organic chocolate or candies. Or go for a zero plastic party bag.

Biggest tip? HAVE FUN. Enjoy celebrating your little ones birthday, connecting with their friends and other parents. It will pass in a blur, be as present as possible and enjoy :)

Great advice, thankyou 😊

@Chimchar

Is it in a centre or are you renting a bouncy castle for your garden? I would make it clear if you would like parents to stay or if they can drop off and pick up later.

Also, you may need to account for one or two extras in case siblings come along (considered bad form, but it happens😳!)

Go simple with the buffet...nothing fancy. Kids won't eat it!

Have a great time!

Thankyou, we are hiring a hall....I didn't think about asking parents to stay, I just assumed they would!!

@mdh2020

Keep the food to finger food and use disposables. Have plenty of wipes available. Make sure there are enough adults to supervise the children and control the exits. Maybe have fun labels for all the children so people know their names. Put a book in each party bag eg The Works sells children’s books very cheaply. The Book People also used to do this. Have a cake to cut but also buy cup cakes so the party bags can be made up in advance and you aren’t desperately trying to cut and wrap the cake as people are leaving. Enjoy!

So many good tips, thankyou ❤️