• Themed birthday parties for kids offer a focus for the invitations, decorations, games, activities, food, and favors, and help birthday parties fall into place. Organize the birthday party around your child's particular interests. Or ask what he or she would like to celebrate at the birthday party, and make everything related to that subject. If you need suggestions, consider the following: your child's favorite toy or doll, a special movie or television show, a sports figure or the sport itself, a current movie or movie star, a popular song or rock star, a storybook or cartoon character, a superhero or monster, an activity, a favorite location or outing, a popular hometown hero or local star, an interesting occupation or hobby, a special food or festival, or a holiday or event.
  
  
• Special Tip: If your child has trouble choosing a theme, notice what he or she is currently playing with or enjoying. Then surprise your child with a birthday party centered on that special character, interest, or activity.
  
  

• Letting kids help with the party plans keep them busy during the days or weeks before the special event. That way, kids will be actively involved in the creation of the party, which is almost as fun as the party itself. Have your child help make the invitations, decorate the party room, plan the games, organize the activities, prepare the fun foods, and create or choose the favors that go home with the party guests. Engaging your child in the party planning makes the birthday celebration last longer and helps him or her manage the excitement and anticipation.
  
  
• Special Tip: Make the week prior to the birthday party a celebration in itself by completing one special party-related activity each day until the big event.
  
  

• A well-planned birthday party for kids begins and ends at specific times and doesn't run too long or too short. Two hours in the morning or afternoon is best, depending on your child's energy level, so think about whether your child does better in the morning or afternoon, and plan the party accordingly. Hosting a party for a two-hour period allows time for welcoming the guests, playing a number of games and activities, opening presents, sharing refreshments and cake, and saying farewells.
  
  
• Special Tip: Be sure to remind the children's parents of the exact time the party ends. Your guests usually will have had enough excitement for one day. Also, your child will need some peace and quiet after all the festivities, and time to enjoy the gifts and memories of the party.
  
  

• Have your child plan the guest list with you and encourage limiting invitations to good friends only. That way you can manage the party size. If you prefer a large group, ask a few of the parents to help out during the party to keep things under control. Also decide whether relatives will be invited, if adults will be included or just kids, and especially how to involve siblings in the preparations and event.
  
  
• Special Tip: If parents can't help out, hire baby-sitters or neighborhood teenagers to assist you during the celebration. The more hands you have to help out, the easier the birthday party will be.
  
  

• First decide where you'll be hosting the party-indoors or out. Let the weather be your guide, making sure you can adapt your activities to indoor or outdoor play at the last minute. Be sure you have enough room for your guests and that no valuable breakables are in the area. Decorate the party room or yard to suit the theme. Create a backdrop that sets the mood by using poster board, construction paper, crepe paper, balloons, special lighting, and appropriate music. Give the birthday kid a crown, a cape, a make-over, a new outfit, a certificate of achievement, a distinctive place setting, or a special toy or prop.
  
  
• Special Tip: Let the guest of honor help out with creating the decorations. It helps to keep the child busy and involved in the upcoming celebration. Create lots of do-it-yourself decorations rather than use store-bought ones to make the party more personal. Close areas of the house or yard that are off limits, and remove anything in the party area that is dangerous, breakable, or valuable. Also remove any of your child's toys that he or she does not want to share with the guests.
  
  

• A perfect birthday party for kids offers both quiet activities and vigorous games. This allows the guests to warm up slowly, release pent-up energy, then cool down at the end of the party. If they don't know each other well, start out with a gentle introductory game. Play a few active games-preferably outside-afterthey have relaxed and become comfortable. Then settle down with a quiet game or activity in preparation for the cake and ice cream, and opening of the gifts.
  
  
• Special Tip: Themed birthday parties for kids can never have too many games or activities, but you can have too few-and that can be disastrous. Be sure you plan more games and activities than you think you need, in case the kids run through them quickly, or the party goes overtime. Celebrations often turn to chaos when there's not enough to keep energetic kids busy. Keep a collection of art materials or boxed games nearby to bring out when there's nothing left to do.
  
  

• Cake and ice cream are usually the highlight of birthday parties, but you may want to limit sweets and provide some healthy snacks or meals so the guests won't overload on junk food. Have handy treats around the hungry snackers, but make them low in sugar and high in nutrition, such as cheese and crackers, pieces of fruit, nuts, raisins, or cut-up veggies. If you prefer to serve a more nutritious cake than the usual variety, try angel food or carrot cake topped with fruit, jam or softened frozen yogurt.
  
  

• Losing a game can take away the fun for some of the guests at children's birthday parties, so don't overemphasize winning, especially with younger kids. Losing often leads to disappointment, frustration, and tears. If your older party guests appreciate competition, offer a few games that allow them to challenge one another, with group winners instead of individual winners. And try to offer enough games to give everyone a chance to win.
  
  
• Special Tip: Every time someone loses, offer a funny prize, such as a rubber snake or a silly hat, so the guest doesn't feel bad about losing and still feels like a winner.
  
  

• Anything can happen at a children's birthday parties, so keep the cameras handy, both video and still, and record the fun to play back at the end of the party or after the guests have gone home. If the party games or activities don't go according to plan, just go with the flow. Sometimes the spontaneous happenings are the most fun!
  
  
• Special Tip: If possible, take snapshots of each guest with an instant camera to hand out to them as they leave so they have a memento of the party fun.
  
  

• Stuff happens, especially at birthday parties. If you expect things to go wrong now and then, you won't be surprised when they do. Keep your sense of humor and try to adjust to the unexpected. If the kids don't enjoy a game, or refuse a food, or won't participate in the fun, be creative and make some suitable changes that please everyone. If siblings have trouble with the birthday festivities, involve them in the party planning so they can feel a part of the fun. Have them invite a friend to the party to play with. Give them something special to do at the party to help out and make them feel important. And give them a thank-you gift before or after the party to let them know you appreciate their help.
  
  
• Special Tip: Watch for the child who doesn't seem to fit in. Extra attention and special guidance can help him or her enjoy the party too.
  
  

• Remember the purpose of all this planning is a happy birthday party! Sometimes the guest of honor becomes overwhelmed with all the attention received on this special occasion. Try to give your child time to relax, and relieve the stress of all the excitement by planning a few quiet activities or distractions before and after the party. Understand and acknowledge your child's moods and feelings, and help your child find positive ways to enjoy this very exciting day. Sometimes the pressure and attention can get to be too much, so give your child a break in the middle of the party, if necessary, by having him or her help serve the food, set up a game, or do a special task.
  
  
• Special Tip: Be sure your child has a proper meal and a rest or quiet time before the party begins. Encourage your child to talk about all the feelings that are bubbling up.
  
  

• Since you're the one doing most of the work, treat yourself to a bath, a quiet moment, or a special activity before or after the party to help you enjoy the festivities as well. Then pat yourself on the back for a well-planned, creative, and one-of-a-kindparty that your child will remember for years to come.
  
  
• Special Tip: If you plan everything ahead of time, your child's birthday party will surely be a piece of cake!
  
  

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