Happy Birthday to You - Tips for a “Perfect” Party

So you’ve already bought children’s earrings for your kid’s birthday, now it’s time to party.  I’ve heard it a million times before: “I want this birthday party to be perfect!” In my younger days of parenting I may have even said it myself. We all want to put on the perfect birthday party for our kids, but here’s the rub: “perfect” isn’t possible. So if you’re willing to accept that, I’ve got some tips that can help you make your party the best it can be.

I. Keep the Guest List Down

Anyone who’s worked a nursery at church, been part of a kids club, or stood by and watched junior at soccer practice knows that group activities involving young kids is a lot like herding cattle. Invite just a few of your child’s best friends and leave it at that. If you try to invite every child your son knows, you’ll have half the town in your backyard. Too many kids means aggravation and frustration.

II. No Parents Allowed

Unfortunately, as much as we parents love our children, we have a bad habit of using our kids to compete with one another. When parents hang around the birthday party it’s an open invitation to let the games between them begin. Parents also tend to be a bit controlling in group settings, causing hard feelings between the host and her guests.

III. Let Them Play

When I was a child I would much rather have gone out to the back lot to play ball with my friends than sit and watch Bobo the Clown. Kids don’t need to be entertained if you just give them the tools to do it themselves and monitor them so they don’t kill each other. Turn them loose in the backyard with some bats and balls, perhaps a bucket of water balloons, or even bubbles and sidewalk chalk. They’ll have a blast and you won’t have to make them pay attention to a balloon shaped like your neighbor’s dog.

IV. Keep the Menu Simple

Of course you’ll want a cake, but if you’re serving other food keep it light and simple. Finger sandwiches (tuna or peanut butter) are a good fit for almost every kid, as are apple slices, crackers, and cheese. Limit the soft drinks, sweets, and junk food if possible. Nothing ruins a party like Johnny barfing on the birthday cake.

V. Set a Definite Time Frame

Establish a concrete start and end time for the party, and print it in the invitations. You might even remind the parents when they drop junior off. Often times parents view birthday parties as open-ended affairs, leaving the host to provide free child care long after the festivities have ended. Just like adults, kids can out stay their welcome.