Birthday Party Planning

Think about your child's interests!

By Catherine Rondina

When it comes to organizing your child's birthday party the most important factor is the planning process. How well you arrange your child's special day can help make or break its success. An ideal children's party today is much more than the parties we remember as kids. In our day we were happy with a fancy cake, some fun games to play and loot bag to take home with you. Nowadays kids' birthday parties are "events" that can take a considerable amount of preparation to pull off.

So how does one put together a party that kids will enjoy? Simple - think about your child's interests. Even if you're not into a big elaborate event, focusing the party around a set theme or idea makes the planning much easier. Here's a list of birthday party themes, entertainment possibilities, and venues that should help make your next party a big hit:

Big List of Party Themes

The ABC's Party - This theme is simple yet brilliant. Using the letters of the alphabet for everything from decorations to games and more. Stick to primary colours for balloons, cake and decorations. For a group activity purchase wooden or Styrofoam letters and let the kids decorate their own initials.

Around the World Party - You'll have just as much fun with this one as the kids. Turn your invitations into passports and invite the kids to see the world. Hang posters from travel agencies and use maps and globes to decorate. Serve different types of foods to represent countries such as pizza from Italy, fried rice from China, and tacos from Mexico.

Beach Party - This party theme can be pulled off at any time of year, in fact it's probably more fun for a winter celebration. Let your guests know that it's swimsuit or shorts attire and to bring their sandals and a beach towel. Keep the colours bright -- yellows, orange and lime green. Set-up a sandbox for those who want to feel the sand between their toes and don't forget the Beach Boys tunes.

Cooking Party - What could be more fun than a house full of littlchefs. Kids love to muck about in the kitchen so if you're prepared let them loose to create their own culinary delights. You can purchase little chefs hats and aprons that the kids can take home as their gift from the party. Pizza making is always a popular idea and let them decorate their own little individual cakes too. Some grocery stores are equipped with kitchen facilities that are available for cooking parties.

Fairy Party - This is a perfect chance for your little guests to earn their wings. Have the guests come in tights and fancy dresses. Plan your games so that each child can earn her wings for something she does at the party. Use butterflies and flowers to decorate with and keep your colour scheme in pastel shades. This type of party is ideal for sparkles, nail polish and glitter for their hair.

Knights of the Round Table - This party theme allows you to encompass all the wonderful sights and sounds of the days of old. Knights, princesses, horses and castles can all be used to set the mood. The kids will love eating medieval foods such as chicken legs and corn done on the barbeque, with their hands. Cut shields out of cardboard and have the kids decorate them with coats of arms. How about visiting your local castle attraction to start things off?

Rock Star Party - Bring on the air guitars! Kids have a great time whenever music is involved. Have the kids come dressed as their favourite rock star. Ask them to bring along their favourite CD too. Rent a karaoke machine and let the little "idols" do their thing. Have the kids who aren't into performing serve as judges and have a mini talent show. Use music notes to decorate with and have the birthday cake make in the shape of a guitar.

Scrapbook Party - Is the perfect way for you and your little partygoers to always remember this special party day. Have your guests bring along 5-8 photos of themselves to use in their scrapbooks. Set up a large workspace for the kids to use. Purchase a scrapbook for each of your guests. Have supplies ready such as scissors, gel pens, stencils, shapes and stickers.

Under The Sea - Have a ball transforming a room in your home into the bottom of the sea. Use a blue and green colour scheme for streamers and balloons. Rent a bubble maker to really set the mood and place seashells around the room. Prepare cut fish or seahorses out of Styrofoam or wood and have the kids decorate their own sea creature. Try a game of pinning the fin on the shark for fun.