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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Rope in other parents to do activities etc,

Plenty of cakes and sugary drinks.

Try and keep it as simple as possible, as long as the children have fun that's all that matters.

Plan well in advance, pick a few things up each time you go shopping so you are prepared :)

creating treasure trails with treat prizes are the way forward, they keep the kids entertained for hours and gets them running around to burn off the cake!

I always make sure I bake my own cakes & cookies & make my own original recipes which are all dairy free in case of allergies

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

Make sure that you have an hourly plan of what will happen every hour at the birthday party! Then things will go smoothly!

The best thing to do is be organised, as there's nothing worse than leaving things to the last minute and rushing around! Make sure you shop around especially for themed parties, as some shops will take your eyes out while others sell things just as good for half the price

We just threw my 4 year old a birthday party, we hired a princess bouncy castle with a slide, a face painter & a glitter tattoo artist. We had a party entertainer come dressed as Anna from frozen who sang some songs, played fun party games where they got to win prizes, did some amazing balloon modelling or balloon twisting and at the end dressed up as mascot Olaf from frozen, we even had a snow machine. We made sure there was plenty of party food and made our own sweet Buffett. We also set up a photo shoot, which my husband took all the photos as he does professional photography on the side, we had lots of fun and silly props so before each child left they got to take some fun photos and then got a party bag filled with goodies. All the children and parents looked like they had a fantastic time.

Make sure it's away from the home to eliminate the need for tidying up and we've learned never to do the opening of presents when guests are still there.

Do you start planning months in advance or is improvisation key?

I plan a couple of months in advance, as I like to get organsed and give over mums a chance to arrange, (and not double book a celebration) my sons class has several March birthdays, so we make sure we don't schedule them for the same day.

Do you or don’t you open presents with the party guests?

We take them home in a birthday sack, and open them at home, and take the thank you letters to school, along with some cake.

How do you go about choosing the right date?

The next Saturday after the birthday - again checking with other mums whose children have a birthday in the same month so we don't clash.

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

Hot dogs, cheese sandwiches, cheesy puffs, then a Buzz Lightyear cake. and home made chocolate cornflake buns.

Is it better to hire a venue or host it in your home?

After one birthday at home - never again - hiring a venue can be reasonable, and the stress it saves is worth it, to make a birthday memorable and enjoyable for all is what it should be all about .

Do you have a schedule for the day or simply go with the flow

I plan party games, and playing songs to run around and dance to, and of course the important pass the parcel. If they are all getting along, I won't rush things along.

Catering a kids party at a venue doesn't have to mean cold food. Take some hot dog sausages in a thermos flask & some finger rolls, they go down a treat

i always get someone else to do the food - not worth the stress! i booked my son's party for the end of sept 8 weeks in advance to get the right day. He's having a pony and farm party with a few close friends

I am a great advocate of meticulous planning down to the last detail. I make endless lists and this gives me the chance to delegate certain tasks. I find it essential to set a budget first as costs can easily run away with you.
I tend to choose a time and venue which suits me and have catered myself. However it was a major hassle so recently I have had outside caterers who,do all the clearing up afterwards.

We hired a magician for our DD's 4th birthday party and he was amazing. For £150 he basically entertained nearly 20 kids (plus the parents!) for 2 whole hours. Made it such an easy time!

I always write a to do list, who is invited, venue, food, and organise games and activities, just a couple of hours is ample time for a children's party - and for parents!

This year my youngest is having a Disney princess themed tea party at home I have ordered everything from the same supplier so everything matches , bought myself and several friends and family Disney princess outfits so we all get into the spirit of the party no party poopers allowed and obviously I have ordered perfect Disney cakes and bought Disney princess cake cutters to use on the sandwiches even got Disney princess crisps yes there is such a thing the key to a perfect party is to be super organised and get into the spirit of all things Disney so everyone has a magical time.

Best advice I was given about kids parties was to actually let them play rather than try to timetable the party with games etc. Food is a must as are party bags plus tea/coffee/wine for adults :)

Lots of easy finger food, organised games and activities and enough seating for the adults. We try to shop around in advance for things like decorations as you can get great deals in sales - for our last party I'd bought things in the January sales for a party in August!

Our most successful parties have been den building in the woods, with Stick man Olympics games, treasure hunt and portable barbecue. Good for young and old alike.

make bright Disney character cupcakes!

I put clothes (old, broken etc. ) in a plastic bin bag. When there's an event coming up I open the bag and make bunting out of the old clothes. My daughter wanted a Disney party a few years ago so I printed photos of disney characters and stuck them on the homemade bunting - EASY and CHEAP

Pass the parcel game is always fun at kids parties, why not try one for the grown ups too!

Plan every single stage, have emergency games for when things go too quickly and try and have a rough timetable. The more planning the easier