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MNHQ

Share your top tips for children's birthday parties with Cadbury and you could win a £200 Love2Shop voucher NOW CLOSED

346 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 25/01/2016 16:11

Cadbury would like to hear your top tips for hosting a great themed birthday party for your DCs.

From pirates to Peppa Pig, baking to science - if you've thrown a great children's party, what theme did you choose and how did you bring it to life? Did you use decorations to set the scene, choose party food to fit with a fantasy world, or tailor activities you knew the kids would love? What did you put in the goody bags to go with your theme? And did you create a special birthday cake?

We'd love to hear about all the different ways you incorporated your child's favourite things into the day - to help inspire other parents who are party planning.

Everyone who shares their birthday party ideas and inspiration on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to where one MNer will win a £200 Love2Shop voucher.

Please note your comments may be included on Cadbury's pages on MN, their social media channels, and possibly elsewhere, so please only post if you're comfortable with this.

Thanks and good luck,
MNHQ

OP posts:
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24
marshgirl · 07/02/2016 18:41

Go somewhere that includes food. You have enough to do so it takes the pressure off if they provide this.

meggysar · 07/02/2016 19:21

Keep it simple the old games like pass the parcel and musical chairs will still please any child.

smit23 · 07/02/2016 19:45

keep it simple.
No fancy gimmicks = less to go wrong!

Kangakate · 07/02/2016 19:58

I usually go to the local £1 shops to get the cups and plates etc and even a few items for little gift bags, I make the cake myself, then it's games that I enjoyed as a child, pass the parcel, musical chairs, musical statues and plenty of nibbles, both for adults and kids. Also balloons great for games and kids seem to love them

topgunmatt · 07/02/2016 20:49

.

DREAM THEMES: Pick a theme that works with you, not against you. Your child may beg for an outlandishly complicated idea from their favourite film, but can be hard to carry it off convincingly. It’s useful to remember that timeless classics never go out of fashion. How about jungles and wild things - or pirates and princesses?

Starlabear · 07/02/2016 20:58

Didn't ever theme one, but one of the favouritest activities was a sleepover with cupcake decorating - they absolutely loved it! No need to stress out about loads of OTT activities :)

Bellroyd · 07/02/2016 21:44

Prepare as much as possible in advance; appoint a trusted friend to be in charge of catering. Focus on including all the kids with games that are popular. Don't try to outdo other Mums by spending too much on presents at home time.

arabella505 · 07/02/2016 21:50

Try and find something that will keep the kids active - climbing walls or jump nation are a good idea! It might seem more expensive than just doing something at home but often by the time you've bought decorations, and games to play and prizes, and extra plates, and chairs etc. it really doesn't work out much more. The kids will be occupied, have fun, and there's much less chance of arguments. Also all the other parents will be grateful to you for wearing out their child :)

ser01 · 07/02/2016 22:03

for smaller children, i find booking the local village hall, and buying prty food, doing some games and buying balloons etc the best way older kids i find going somewhere like taybarns best they can choose to eat what they want and they all think they are too cool for games and just want to sit and laugh anyway just have to buy a birthday cake :)

casspuss · 07/02/2016 22:03

just make sure they have a good time x

Jocelynne123 · 07/02/2016 22:33

I always find it's better to let your child have a small amazing day. We usually set it that 3 friends can come or there about so none from her close friends gets left out. Then we have a full day of fun! Swimming, trampolining, go karting, go ape whatever she fancies. Followed by a meal somewhere fun and then home for a sleepover, party tea and as much sugar as they can take. It usually costs the same if not less than having a party for a class of 35 plus. Or she can pick one friend and do something extra special like go to a theme park. Mi find it better she spends quality time with her close friends xx

sarsar123 · 07/02/2016 22:34

Do what feels right for you and your child. Don't feel the pressure to invite the whole class or have a party at home if thats not for you! I always book somewhere and let them take control.

funkyfreks · 07/02/2016 22:38

Cupcake Baking parties are so easy fun and low cost, I did one for my daughters 6th Birthday - they all mixed a cupcake mixture and filled the cases, I put them in the oven, a game of pass the parcel and pin cherry on the cupcake while waiting for them to cook and cool, then decorate them and they get to take them home in a little party bag. Tada

omgitslani · 07/02/2016 22:38

Organisation is key! I have found that interactive parties, particularly ones involving crafts or outdoor play always go down well. Don't make the party too long otherwise there is a chance that children can get bored.

lilrahi · 07/02/2016 23:55

A big space, with lots of space to run around, balloons to play with, and simple food to eat are all they need to keep them entertained for hours

spanglisher · 08/02/2016 00:19

Don't plan every minute. Allow time at the beginning for them to go a bit mad, in the garden if possible or a cleared space before you try to structure games or other activities.

robyn297 · 08/02/2016 01:02

Go with the flow and don't plan too many activities. A few short and sweet party games are great, followed by some running around if appropriate.

TiggersAngel7774 · 08/02/2016 01:14

If you can afford it a good entertainer worth the money as , always seems poorly organised parties are where arguments or issues occur.

But spend what you can afford we done massive whole class party and taken few friends to frankie and bennys and cinema both were enjoyed.

jamielmdjs · 08/02/2016 01:45

Don't overthink the schedule and entertainment. Music, balloons, food and the kids will have a ball.

Go simple on the snacks - and ty not to have too much messy stuff. It'll end up evertwhere.

Flossiecrossie · 08/02/2016 06:27

Having a theme will really help to plan a party. Take a theme that your birthday boy or girl is passionate about, but make sure it is realistic. The theme will help plan decoration, food & party bags. Last year for example we themed our little one's party as a "novel" party. The children came dressed as their favourite characters (no extra expense needed for parents as children usually have an outfit for Children's Book Day. Food was based on Enid Blighhton's Famous Five, and instead of the sweets in the party bage, there was a book instead.

VickyRsuperstar · 08/02/2016 08:08

I've held parties at the church hall and hired a bouncy castle when the kids were small.
The first party we did, we made tons of sandwiches which the kids didn't even look at - they just went for all the sweet things! So after that we made a lot less sandwiches next time and put a cover over the table with sweet things and put the savory table out first!

I had a music selection on MP3 which a friend was in charge of looking after running it. If you can rope friends in, then evey bit of extra help is good!
We had our own games of musical statues, musical bumps, pass the parcel, balloons.
When it comes to the end, accept all the help you are offered by other parents to help you clear up as we found the kids managed to muddle all the toys in the church hall and there were wrappers and bits everywhere! If it was just us clearing it up, then it would have taken a very long time!

Now the kids are older, I find it much easier to take their friends to the cinema for the Kids AM film on a Saturday and then on to McDonalds afterwards!

jazzitup · 08/02/2016 08:34

Coffee, Whiskey and lots of wet wipes :o)

dipsymummy1 · 08/02/2016 12:54

Every year i make my own birthday cake, but my friend is a party organiser for themed parties , so i did this , this year, it saved having to sort out games, food , and entertainment, because it all done for me and i didn't need to get stress out x

marchez50 · 08/02/2016 14:19

I gave up on themed parties..2 lively boys who just wanted to run around and play football with their mates so in the end used to hire a football pitch at local sports centre ...roped in the dads to keep everything orderly on the pitch and just let them get on with it . Food in the form of sandwiches ,
crisps etc. and football related goody bags consisting of football cards and other related bits and bobs to take home.

lexiemac13 · 08/02/2016 14:34

I once threw my daughter a 'red' birthday party based all around her favourite colour. It was easy to do but I did go a little over the top! I would definitely recommend a party based on your child's favourite colour though as it's relatively easy to do and get everyone involved in too. We decorated our whole house in red decorations and asked all the guests to wear something red, included red foods & drinks and party prizes etc. One tip I do have for children's birthday parties is plan early! I remember one year rushing around buying a new party outfit for one of my children and making up party bags about half an hour before the actual party! So definitely make a list and get everything sorted sooner rather than later.