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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have little huts were the children can plan shows for the other children and have a final end were you choose the best bits and pieces of each group and present it at the end of the party.
Each little group has to have a story to tell and then join them together.

Planning for a children s party is a must. My daughters birthday is right in the middle of the summer holidays so we usually do either a early party before school breaks up or a late one. I find that the late one as they go back to school works better as people usually cant come just as they break up due to family holidays.

We dont usually open presents from the guests but we write down what she got from who so she can do thank you cards for each child who came when theyve all been opened and she can add thats for the specific gift in the note. Plus opening during the party would take time off the party time.

For party food a hot and cold selection usually works well. Sandwiches with crisps and mini sausages and sausage rolls are always something that works well. Along side hot chicken goujons, pizzas and garlic bread. I have also done make your own pizzas with the party guests too! very hectic but to see how proud they all were of their pizzas they had made was amazing

i think hiring a venue works well as the children feel more comfortable than having lots of children come into their home. They are usually bigger places too so more guests are able to come

having a schedule for the party is a must too. a well organised party always works better than a go with the flow type!

We always hire a trained entertainer so that they can keep the kids entertained as well as keep them under some sort of control/order

pick an easy theme

Book a venue is so much more simpler.

Children still like old fashioned games such as musical chairs, statues, sleeping lions and pin the tail on the donkey.

I don't start planning my daughter's party until a month before it as she changes her mind and goes off characters e.g. Anna and Elsa so if I plan too early she might not like the character who her party is themed on. I don't worry about Ava's party being better than any other child's it's just important that she enjoys it. I make plenty of food and drink for her party and ensure I get a list of who got her which present so she can send them thank you notes. Parties don't need to be expensive to be fun 😊

I'm planning our first kids party and have started well in advance. I've made a list of everything to buy and arrange, and am starting early. I send invitations out about 2 months ahead too.

Better to be organised as I get stressed if leave it till the last minute.

My granddaughter had a princess party, my daughter hired a school sports room with big bouncy castle, goals for the boys n soft play etc. A company came and in came Belle, my granddaughter was speechless, they also provided candyfloss after the lil ones had the food, which we made prior to the party. Also had belle cupcakes. Lovely day

I've done a few parties for dd myself, here are some things that worked well for me:
Prior planning is the key. I broke down every part of the party to make sure children were never bored. So when they arrived I had things for them to do from the moment they came through the door e.g. Colouring in a giant card castle, playing side show games, dressing up, making bracelets etc.
I did a drop in crafty partner the party for dd where there were six tables spread around the hall with either really simple help yourself children's activities (like colouring in or those little black card things where you scratch off the black to have rainbow pattern underneath) that were unmanned to other activities requiring a little instruction/help (e.g. Masks/decorating a clock without family members to help. I also roped in my sister to do face painting.
Stick balloons in the hall that aren't hanging up for children to kick around/play with.
A few hula hoops from the pound shop in summer are also great things to leave and let children play with
I do all the veg sticks the day before and put them in a sealed container with damp kitchen roll on top to keep them moist so they don't dry out
Take bin bags to the hall to put all the rubbish in
Paper cups often spill drinks, little bottles are better
If it's a party for younger children with parents staying have a table set aside with a big coffee pot/tea pot/water/wine and snacks or whatever for parents to help themselves to. Means you don't have to go around asking everyone what they'd like and make them all. I buy disposable hot drink cups with lids like they have in coffee shops so they are less likely to spill and burn children
Plan more than you need. You never know!
Children don't seem to eat that much at parties and there always seem to be sandwiches left. They also don't seem to take that long to eat
Make sure you sing happy birthday not too near the end of the party so yOh have time to cut the cake to wrap and put in party bags
Don't stress too much like I do , it's only a party and I'm sure your dc will have a great time
Places like the book people are great for buying cheap books for party bags

Buy a party. It might sound lazy but I work ft ( and more) and just don't have time for party bits. I go down the soft play with party bags and cake route.

If you are on a budget, make sure you plan in advance. Then you can get party food that is on offer and freeze it for the time, as well as bargain party bag treats.

When I have had parties for kids, I have planned in advance. Starting off with booking the venue and entertainers, then organising the invites and caters.
The key is book everything in advance and avoid panic and disappointment.
The kids have a good fun day packed and an occassion to remember.

We have tried venue and home parties, and although home parties are more work they are also the most fun.
Lots of party games like musical statues, pass the parcel, hunt the sweetie and pin the horn on the unicorn.
Food that is easy to prepare all served on theme plates with matching napkins with the room decorated the same.
Party bags as the kids leave again matching the theme with a little toy,sweet and bit of birthday cake inside.
After the party DS or DD then opens the presents while I clear up and congratulate myself on surviving another party haha.

I've organised my own and also been to soft play type venues which I prefer mainly because it is less stressful and you don't have to spend hours preparing and hours tidying away after. Also, although doing it myself was cheaper, there wasn't much in it and I'm happy to pay the extra to take the hassle out of it. The only down side to going to a soft play venue is you are less involved and can feel like a bit of a spare part (although some people might think that's a positive).

I miss the party games being held at kids parties! Now its all soft play events. For this year I'm planning on having a traditional party with all the games galore for my 5 turning 6 year old son and my daughter is wanting to have a sleepover for her 8th birthday so it will be a pamper party with popcorn, sleeping bags and movies

Keep it simple and pay people to do most of the work if you can afford it, if not ask family and friends to help out.

A few games, a craft table, some balloons and music, followed by food and a party bag - perfect!

Simple food here that you know kids will like - cocktail sausages, fruit kebabs, crisps, sandwiches, pizza slices, cake etc.

Try not to over think it!

I do love a party - possibly the preparation & planning more than the actual event!! :) Kidding, I do love it - but it is stressful! The best tips I've found that have helped make the process run smoothly are;

• Plan ahead - preparation is key!
• Go cheap where you can - things like invites & party bags are going to get recycled anyway - hardly anyone looks at the pic on the party bag, it's the contents they're interested in!
• Go joint if you can - if your child has a classmate with a birthday close by & they get on well - consider doing a joint party. Two sets of parents make things infinitely easier!
• Keep it simple - food wise, sandwiches, chopped up veg & fruit, crisps & cupcakes - perfect. There's usually a fair bit of wastage & I would be weeping if my individually hand iced biscuits were thrown mercilessly into a bin bag at the end of the day!
• If you're a bit shy & the thought of party games is stressful - do consider a host if you can find one that's reasonably priced. Alternatively, find a gregarious friend who doesn't mind doing you a favour!
• Keep the parents topped up with tea & coffee - essential!!

We had parties at places with ball pits for our two when they were young. They did not care about the quality of the food on offer, they just had fun playing.

I always buy party bag bits whenever they are on offer - January sale, clearances, that kind of thing. Also save favours from Christmas crackers. I'vesaves a fortune by doing this,and each party bag usually costs no more than £1.
Rope. In friends or family to help, whether it's painting faces, nails or simply being on hand for spills and mess. If you have to bribe a few mums with a glass of wine, do it!
Keep food simple but present it in a different way (eg pinwheel sandwiches) or give it a fancy themed name. Works a treat! Kids don't usually eat very much as they are so hyper.
Play music topic with your theme (Disney, pirate, fairy etc.) Check out your library if you need something suitable.
And just keep smiling!

I do not like organised themed parties they are so stressful. Especially after one year a long while ago when our DD was 5 and only 1 person came! Everyone was away on their holidays. I prefer smaller family informal parties where we all make the food together and everyone brings food. It is so much simpler

I am teacher so I am lucky enough to be able to book the community hall at a reasonable price. after Christmas i start picking up stocking fillers on sale for party bags and prizes. I make all the food my self and the cake organise games and entertainment. I went to a party where a mum had spend £1000 The kids all got excited and were happy but no happier than kids playing in a park of nothing and it certainly was the party my kids remember the most. Kids don't need loads spend on them just a bit of planning and imagination creativity can make things very magical for kids .

Hiring a bouncy castle was a real hit

Have a backup plan in case something goes awry.

Keep to the timetable and make sure there are lots of games