Planning a Party for your child?

Here are some great tips to help get you organized and to ensure your child has the best party ever.

Party Planning Tips

• Let your child suggest who to invite, but keep the guest list small. A good rule of thumb is one guest for every year of the child's age. Keep in mind that the more guests you invite, the more effort required and the greater the chance that you'll have to handle a meltdown from one of your guests.
• Invite parents, if your child is under five, and make sure you have extra food for hungry grown-ups. No matter what your child's age, have at least Iwo adults on hand – one to run the activities and one to handle any problem (children or otherwise) that may arise. If you're the only one available, hire a babysitter to help out.
• Setting up a Wish List at Scholar's Choice will help to ensure that your child will be thrilled with what they receive, avoid duplicates and help the parents of the invited child know what gift to buy.
• Before the big day, set guidelines for your child and set the tone for a good party. Talk to them about sharing and being a good sport during the games. Teach them to be a gracious recipient of all gifts, even the ones they are not crazy about. You may want to have your child write thank-you notes after the party.
• Keep the party short – an hour and a half to two hours gives the party goers enough time to have fun, but shouldn't over stimulate them. Be sure to have a craft or a quiet activity to keep children occupied for 20 minutes while all of the guests arrive, Parties in the early afternoon avoid conflicts with nap time and prevent you having to deal with tired and cranky little ones.
• Active play is an essential part of a child's birthday party, games that allow all children to participate are best. Avoid games from which children become excluded during the play. Games all children can play together, like charades, treasure hunt, relay races, sing songs or dancing are best.
• Food ideas – for young children less than 5 years of age, stick with cake and juice. Little ones will be busy enough playing that they often won't eat much more even if you offer it. For older children 6 and up, you will want to serve a meal. Pizza tends to be a hit even with the most particular eaters and cheese pizza is your best bet. For on activity they can eat, making your own pizza using bagels, cheese and sauce is a great option.
• Cake takes centre stage at any birthday. Theme cakes are great but to keep serving simple, try cupcakes. Decorating cupcakes is a fun and memorable activity for any age group!
• Party favours – as children are leaving, be sure to send them off with little gifts of their own. Crafts made by the children at the party make fantastic favours. Some gift suggestions are blowing bubbles, books, magic tricks, barrettes or fancy pencils. Scholar's Choice staff has great ideas for loot bags or small gifts. If you can match to your theme even better!

Scholar's Choice Birthday Party Tips

• Great gift ideas for all ages
• Unique party themes for all ages
• Music for your party
• Loot bags or small gifts for guests

Birthday Party Basics

Every birthday party should have these basic components:

• Invitations
• Venue
• Decorations
• Music
• Loot bags
• Activities
  • games
  • crafts
  • entertainment
• Birthday Cake!
• A camera to capture it all

Party Theme

A themed party can be tons of fun for your child's big day:

• Animals/Zoo
• Around the World
• Arts & Crafts
• Your child's favourite character
• Superheros/Superstars
• Fairies
• Back Yard picnic
• Beach Party
• Pirate's Treasure Hunt
• Dress Up/Costume Party
• Medieval Times
• Magic Party
• Pajama Party
• BBF (Best Friends)

Decorations

Streamers and banners are always favourites. Make your own personalized banner by painting a large piece of craft paper, or hang it low on the wall and ask guests to write notes or draw on it. -Just don't try this with really little ones or you could end up with a decorated wall as well as a banner.

Sidewalk chalk or window writer sentiments ("Happy 8th Birthday, Aiden!") on your windows or in your driveway and on the walk in front of your house make the birthday boy or girl feel special. And don't forget to decorate the guests themselves with party hats, masks or face paint! Make your own hats or masks to add to the fun.

• Streamers
• Sidewalk Chalk
• Table Settings
• Banners
• Window Sentiments
• Plates & Napkins
• Balloons
• Masks
• Name Tags
• Party Hats
• Face Paint
• Stickers