Planning the Perfect Birthday for Your Kid

The birthdays we have as children tend to be received very differently from those we get through as adults. Rather than using the occasion to reflect on the time they’ve already spent on Planet Earth, kids will tend to look at a birthday party as a chance to get excited about the many adventures yet to come – and to indulge in a few special treats and experiences.

Since your children are only going to have a dozen or so memorable birthdays at this time of life, it makes sense to make them all as memorable as possible. So, what are the elements that go into every great kid’s birthday party?

Planning and budgeting

The first step should be to form a coherent plan. You’ll want to know exactly how much you must spend and use that information to put everything together. It’s better to push the boat out on something low-key than it is to try to stretch to something more ambitious.

If you want the party to be well-received and aren’t interested in pulling a surprise, you might involve the birthday boy or girl in the planning stages. Have them involved in every decision, from the music to the decorations to the games.

Theme and venue

Without a theme, you might find that your party tends to look a little bit generic. In a few years’ time, you might have difficulty remembering what it was that made this particular occasion all that special. Since we’re in the business of making happy memories here, it makes sense to settle on a theme. If your child wants a ‘western’ theme, a ‘space’ theme, or a ‘medieval’ theme, then you can plan everything around that.

Your choice of venue will be informed by the number of people you’re looking to accommodate, the distance they have to travel, and your budget. If you have a large enough garden, then you might save significantly by hosting yourself.

Guests

The more people you invite, the higher your costs will be. Make sure you prioritise the people your child wants to see while ensuring that any immediate friends and family feel included. If your budget allows for it, you might invite your child’s entire class so that no one feels left out.

Gifts

Your guests should not feel obliged to spend over the odds for a present. Having said that, you might have everyone chip in together to get a few key presents that will actually be appreciated. A printed Premier League football shirt, a games console, or a musical instrument might all qualify.

That way, you won’t end up with a big pile of £5 gifts that are destined to be neglected.

The Cake

A birthday party just isn’t a birthday party without an appropriate birthday cake. After all, you need something to hold all of the candles that are going to be blown out. Make sure that the cake is large enough for everyone to get a generous slice of it, and don’t go too exotic when it comes to flavouring.