Party Tips – Children’s Parties
Top Tips for a Perfect Party
We all want to provide a memorable party for our children and all of their guests, here’s our tips on creating a party to remember – without the stress.
1. WHO TO INVITE – Stick to an invite list and budget – Parties and guest lists can soon get out of control – make it clear to your child (and your bank balance) that they can invite X…. amount of guests
2. COMMUNICATION – Once the guest list has been decided – create a WhatsApp group (or similar) for the party and all parents – this is super helpful for rounding up RSVP’s, giving directions to the venue, and sending our consent forms via PDF – & perfect for sharing photos of the party afterwards
3. PHOTO PERMISSIONS – Use the WhatsApp group to discuss authorisation regarding photographs, and if and when they can be used – get this organised and agreed early on to prevent hick ups with consent both on the day and even worse afterwards when photo’s have been posted to social media or shared amongst friends – at 83% of our parties we are not permitted to take or share photo’s
4. CATERING – Keep catering simple – or let us cater – Party boxes prepared the evening before are perfect – you really don’t want to be preparing sandwiches during the party or as your guests arrive as you’ll miss the fun
5. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS – If you have any guests with special diets – discuss well in advance what can and can’t be consumed (most parents with children on special diets are usually willing to self-cater)
6. HOME PARTIES – If hosting your party at home, make it clear which areas are out of bounds – most parties only need to be in one room with access to a toilet and hand washing
7. SPA PARTIES – If hosting one of our spa parties – please send a message round to all parents the evening before reminding them to ensure all varnish is removed from all nails
8. MUSIC – Make a music list before hand and stick to it – once you start asking for requests on the day – you’ll feel like you are playing DJ instead of host
9. GUESTS PARENTS/GUARDIANS – Our Parties are all designed as drop and go events, and have found they work better like this – we advise making it clear whether parents are to stay or not to save confusion on the day at drop off
10. CHARGE your phone/camera – you really don’t want to miss out on catching birthday moments – they only happen once a year – better still arrange for a friend to take photo’s and you can relax, enjoy and get involved in the party
11. MAKE MEMORIES – Make the most of your child’s parties – childhoods are short and birthdays very special – get involved – stay in the room and enjoy the moment – (also a perfect way to see how your child’s friendship group interact with each other)
12. BE KIND – we emphasise at the start of each party to be kind and inclusive
13. TOILET ROLLS – yes, I can’t believe I’m mentioning this but please make sure you have plenty of toilet roll – with a spare within eyes view – same as hand towels – have two – children tend to go in pairs (as a minimum)
14. ADULT DRINKS – don’t go mad – bottled water, tea and coffee is ample – but please remember to offer your host’s a drink on arrival – chances are we have several parties a day and will have had a long journey to get to you – we all have water bottles but caffeine is very much appreciated (and needed)
15. PARKING – If parking is at a premium, plan in advance to move your cars to make way for drop offs – better still use the WhatsApp group to arrange a round robin taxi
16. BALLOONS AND DECORATIONS – Blow up balloons and place decorations ready the evening before – its one less thing to keep you awake the night before
17. PETS – We are animal lovers (I have three rescue beagles) however children’s parties are not the place for pets (you know your pets best however) arrange a pet sitter, doggy day care etc for the day
18. CHOOSING A VENUE – If you decide not to host your party at home consider your venue – ONLY hire a hall or venue you have visited or used before – be clear about the timings – there is nothing more stressful than not having access when you expected too!!!
How to choose a venue
We recommend only using a hall/venue that you have already visited and ask the follow as a minimum;
Do they have ample parking?
Is it secure?
Can the doors be secured to keep little people safe inside?
Is there a separate room for food?
Is there a kitchen? If so what does it include?
Make sure you hire the hall for at least AN HOUR prior to party start time and AN HOUR after – any less and you are creating unnecessary stress.
Many halls now have restrictions on decorations, glitter, slime etc – ask first and save yourself from unexpected additional charges.
Hall and Venue Prep Tips
Ask for a check list for when leaving the venue – if they don’t provide one please ask to be met at the end of the party to ensure it is handed back to their standard.
Take ample cleaning supplies – and friends and family willing to clean.
Take ample kitchen roll and toilet roll – hand wash is always handy too.
If the hall has an Urn – boil a kettle of water first to get it going and switch it on as soon as you arrive – otherwise you’ll be serving luke warm drinks.
For cleanliness use disposable cups – and have plenty of napkins to hand.
Take several rolls of bin bags – if you only take one roll you can be sure you’ll lose it.
Wet wipes/baby wipes/cleaning wipes – take plenty.
Place your car keys and the hall keys out of reach – the last thing you want is to lose them.
Ensure any decorations have been checked and assembled in advance – many are fiddly to assemble and this will save you lots of time.
Children's Catering Tips
Don’t offer drinks that need pouring from large jugs into small un stable cups – use individual drinks similar to Fruit Shoots or Eco Friendly equivalents.
Party Food boxes are perfect – no squabbling and no greedy hands taking all the sweet bits from big plates full of food – using food boxes prevents over catering too as you just prepare for the amount of boxes you have.
Cater for all vegetarian – to save confusion on the day.
Give identical items in each box.
Pack the boxes at home ready – these are easily carried in large shopping bags.
Prepare and wrap sandwiches the evening before – stick to 1 sandwich, 1 savoury and 1 sweet item in each box – this is ample.
Our Party Hall survival kit:
- Washing up liquid
- Cleaning spray
- Disinfectant
- Toilet rolls
- Scissors
- Plasters
- Mobile phone charger
- Antiseptic cream
- Coffee Cups (with lids)
- Tea Towels
- Cleaning wipes
- Hand wash
- Sellotape
- Power leads for electrical items
- Coffee stirrers
- Baby wipes
- Kitchen roll
- Hand towel
- Rolls of bin bags
- Disinfectant
- Paper napkins/roll
