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

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I always check with parents if their children have any allergies or dietary restrictions and keep their plates separately, covered on cling film, with their names on so that they know they can eat everything on it.

I always think it's good to let the children have time to do what they want as well as planned activities.

It is not worth spending a fortune in entertainment - they always seem to enjoy the free traditional games the best and 'sleeping lions' works wonders when they are getting a bit hyper and you need them to calm down!

For me, it's planning (boring I know). I plan it out, adding approx timings so I know I have enough activities to hold their attention and know when I need to things such as put the food on etc. I try to change the activities regularly to keep it interesting and make sure all of the kids are involved and having a good time. Then afterwards drink !

I cut out photos of characters and have a quiz everyone knows Mickey, pluto donald, beauty and the beast snow white. ensure they all get one to answer which they know. Prizes for all

Upside down ice cream cones are fantastic for castle turrets and unicorn horns! And sometimes for eating ice cream out of!

I actually taught myself to model balloons I could only do about 6 different ones but the kids loved it. There is only one thing a party needs and that is lots of cocktail sausages and crisps.

I keep the food pretty simple and 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 and generally I find the children are generally too excited to eat much anyway.

If your children are of a younger school age then don't go and invite too many of your childrens friends. You can't cater for them all. Set a budget per head and stick to it. Don't send out lists to the attendees parents telling them what your son or daughter would like for their birthday. Check any special dietary requirements for any of the children that are attending.

Hire a bouncy Disney Castle for the garden, buy in Disney theme buntiny, party plates, cups, etc. Provide disney themed party food eg Mickey Meringue Pops, Winnie The Pooh Wraps, etc.

Don't try to compete with other kids parties. It's not a competiton. Do what your daughter likes and she'll be happy.

pre planning a treasure hunt around a local park or field has always been a success but prior planning is a must on this

i always hire a venue that supplies everything, less hassle all round

Pirate and Princess makeover with facepaints, glitter etc!

We do lots of traditional games like musical statues, musical chairs, pass the parcel. Anything that includes every guest always goes down well and I tactically pause the music each time to ensure everyone gets a little prize

I usually hire a local hall cheaply, and lay on lots of cheap-ish finger food (more cheap, rather than few expensive). And a topical cake of course. An entertainer helps, so I can relax.

For my sons 5th birthday party, I held it at our house because hiring a venue was just too expensive. I did a Ninja Turtles theme and created most things myself. I made a huge 3d number 5, wrapped crepe paper on it and hung on it a wall, I used crepe paper for ceiling decorations and I created my own banner because the banners that you can buy are just not big enough! I did buy the balloons and a pinata which I filled myself. Filling the pinata was a lot cheaper than buying a filled one and then I got all the kids to put what they had collected in their party bags and they loved it!

Something that gets them involved - a make-your-own-pizza party always goes down well.

The last party I did for my son was held at a local farm park. This allowed me to enjoy it as must as him as there was so much less stress. Doing a party from home is quite tiring but a lot cheaper. I would advise getting lots of help and prepare as much of the food in advance as possible and freeze it.

I start planning months in advance, simply due to the fact that places get really booked up for certain dates. This year, its a Moana theme party...with themed plates/cups/napkins and a Moana mascot. Ace!

I think its all in the goody bag. if you provide a 'good' goody bag, you will be remembered!

I've never held a children's party! What a sheltered life I have lead! (Phew!) However my son recently had a princess party for his daughter and one of the things I thought was absolutely wonderful about it was that the ladies helping out all dressed in princess outfits too! Wonderful!

I think theme parties are the best by companies/locations that provide them. You can then add as much or as little you want too. I think if you do them yourself you are running around and missing the occasion!

I've been shocked since becoming a mum how extravagant parties have become, not like my day!
I'm not willing to start getting competitive or bankrupt us so for my daughter's last party we hired the local hall, did all the old fashioned stuff like pass the parcel, singing and dancing and admittedly I 'appeared' as Elsa which seemed to go down well.
Did my own food but that's tough now with everyone having various issues such as gluten free - I suggested to.mums they might want to bring something just in case. Had things like fruit kebabs though which to be fair everyone seemed to like (but no jelly and ice cream which I remember being g the best bit of any party)
Party bags come out at the end which is a polite signal to go!!

Do it at someone else's place, JK. Book a venue and plan ahead.

Not sure I'm the best at parties. We have tended to do quite small traditional ones - simple food, simple games, small prizes. Good organisation is the key and not over stimulating and exciting the children. I don't believe in spending a fortune or competing who has the most expensive party. I did once do a really good (even if I say so myself) treasure hunt. The parents and children were given a map and clues to answer along the way which led to a beach in which I had burried (well put some sand around it) and filled with gold medals, chocolate coins, little stocking filler toys and we all shared it out and enjoyed a hearty picnic - it was great fun but took a long time to plot out the clues.

old traditional party games like pass the parcel are great, sleeping lions is also good,for about 10 minutes quiet time :D