Coming up with original themes to celebrate your little ones’ birthdays can be a logistical nightmare for busy parents. But whether yours is a big budget bash or a shindig on a shoestring, it’s possible to throw a party that’ll have toddlers and teens in raptures.
Four professional party planners show you how…
For toddlers – the enchanted wood
Says Jan Harrison of The Really Special Events Company: ‘I once heard about a kids’ party where an entire ten-room house was transformed into an enchanted forest, complete with fortune tellers, bears, dwarves and a wishing well!
‘Obviously this sort of do costs an arm and a leg, but it’s possible to create an equally fabulous scaled-down version. So instead of overhauling your whole house, set your sights on just one room, or even just the garden. Ask guests’ mums and dads to dress up, and get involved by playing out parts, like the fortuneteller with a crystal ball. If you can afford to splurge a little, think about hiring wonderful trees for an indoor garden party (http://www.superplants.co.uk/shorttermhire).’
For five-year olds + – the big top and the fashion show
Say Hannah Revill and Caroline Marlow of Viewlondon: ‘We once erected a semi-permanent Big Top in a client’s private grounds for a fairground-themed party. Entertainment included spectacular laser lighting displays, dodgems, a carousel, fire-eaters, magicians, snake charmers, a coconut shy and candyfloss stalls!
‘This can easily be done on a smaller scale. Create your own budget versions of favourite fairground games like apple bobbing (take a clean, large plastic dustbin and fill it with water and red and green apples of different sizes) or hook-a-duck (fill a paddling pool with water and plastic ducks then supply a small fishing net for guests to use). This sort of party can be just as much fun for adults but if your guest list includes grownups, it’s worth splashing out on something like a chocolate fountain or even a butler in the buff.
Says Christine James of Kidzcraft : ‘Kids love to be creative so fashion parties always go down a treat. Going the whole hog might involve getting each little guest to design their own T-Shirt. Provide fabric marker pens, stencils, jewels, braiding and feathers. Then let the fashion show begin! Keep one room aside to be used as a catwalk. Let the kids strut along to music, showing off their creations.
‘The fashion party can be as simple as your budget allows. Start with the basics, i.e. the catwalk, seating and music, and then add the decorations within your budget (helium balloons, streamers, lights). To keep costs down ask every guest to bring a plain white T-Shirt.’
For young teens – the soft cocktail party
From Nicole Tod of Kids Party Cabin!: ‘I once planned a party for a 13-year-old, who didn’t want any parents present. I hired out a small room in a restaurant and let the kids order non-alcoholic cocktails from the bar. We hired a very official looking barman (who doubled up, without the kids realising, as a chaperone) to do the mixing.
‘If you have space at home you can save yourself the cost of hiring a venue. Remove as much furniture from the room as possible but have one table where everyone can leave their things as they come in (this way no mobile phones get lost or covered in food!) Children never remember where they’ve left their drinks: save on waste by sticking name labels on cups.’
Planning a grown-up gig? See our feature on dinner parties.
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Remember who the party is really for. Sarah Rose of Small Important People, says party planners are often confronted with parents whose grand ideas are designed, in reality, to impress other parents.
Prepare as much as possible in advance. Pack party bags and blow up balloons the night before, freeing up time for the inevitable last minute things you hadn’t planned for.
Don’t try and do it all yourself. The more help you get, the more you’ll be able to enjoy the party too. Hire a local caterer to make the sandwiches and cakes. Get guests’ parents in on the washing up action – and make sure you repay the favour when it’s their turn!
Use a venue finder or events management company. If you’re going to hire out a room for the party, book through a venue finder or an events management company. They will have likely already negotiated the best discounted rate available, and they save you the hassle of ringing around.
Be safe. Make sure you don’t invite too many people for the space you have. When drawing up a guest list be sure to account for accompanying mums and dads – and remember that the more of them there are, the less the chance of accidents.
Hire or buy props for your party:
