Party planning is important for making core memories with your child on their special day. Proper planning and using this birthday party checklist as a guide allow you to have a seamless celebration filled with smiles, laughter, and fun for all. Whether you need a kid’s birthday party place in your area or want fun party games and activities, following our tips will help any parent party planner throw the best bash.
Throwing the perfect birthday bash for your child is no easy task, but with the right preparation, you can ensure it’s a day they’ll remember forever. As any birthday party planner knows, planning is key for creating an enjoyable celebration the birthday boy or girl and all their friends will love. In this blog, we’ll break down the essential steps for stress-free party perfection, which will make you the chief of party planning!
The Birthday Party Planner Checklist | All You Need to Know
Let’s explore some great birthday party planner tips to make your party fun.
Choose a Theme
Popular choices will make it easy to find decorations. You can also consider their personality, hobbies or favourite movie/TV show. Sticking to a theme will give your party structure and get everyone into the celebration spirit!
Popular Theme Ideas
Some classic favourites that never disappoint are princess, superhero, toy story or frozen themes. You also can’t go wrong with favourite characters like Paw Patrol, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Spiderman. Unique ideas could be a slime party, wizard or fairy garden themes. Keeping their interests and age in mind will help you pick the perfect theme they’ll be excited about.
Set the Date
Once you have the theme, it’s time to lock in a date. Check out school holiday periods and weekends for optimal attendance. Saturdays tend to work best. Avoid major sports dates or other family events if possible. Send invites 4-6 weeks in advance so guests can save the date, and you can get a headcount for food and party favours. An early send also gives time for RSVPs to come in.
Consider Schedule Needs
Look at upcoming schedules with things like sports games, family trips or cousin’s birthdays in mind. Give your attendees plenty of notice so they can clear their social calendars. Weekends usually work nicely for busy families to attend.
Pick a Location
Where will you host the fun? Opt for a venue with ample space, parking and amenities. Popular kid’s birthday party places like Jakitah Wonderland set you up for success with all the needed extras covered. Or you could do a backyard bash, depending on space. Indoor options include community halls, restaurants with private rooms or your own home. Consider if you need room for guests, activities and parking when choosing!
Perks of a Professional Venue
Dedicated kid’s party venues streamline setup and cleanup. Jakitah, for instance, brings inflatable bouncers, a giant slide and a host of fun games right to you. Their staff oversee everything safely so parents can enjoy quality time with their children. Professionals also provide supplies, decorations, tables, and chairs, which are included in their party packages. Choosing a party planner takes the work off your plate!
Plan Activities
Activities engage guests and keep the birthday star smiling all day long. Kids’ birthday party games like freeze dance and balloon pop are always a hit. Jakitah offers adventure favourites like face painting, where kids can artistically express themselves. Outdoor options involve sack races, three-legged races and hula hoops. Mixing interactive games with bounce houses and fairy floss caters to a range of ages for maximum enjoyment.
Fun Activity Ideas by Age
For younger kids (2-5), focus on simple sensory play, parachute games or an obstacle course. Ages 6-8 appreciate relays, scavenger hunts and ping pong competitions. Older kids (9-12) enjoy tournament-style games, limbo contests and prize wheel spins. Mixing physical activities alongside calmer arts and crafts appeals to varying energy levels. And don’t forget the classics – cake smashing is Instagram gold!
Create a Schedule
Drafting a schedule keeps your party running smoothly without downtime. Sample itineraries could include:
1 pm – Arrival & Playtime
2 pm – Games
3 pm – Snack & Cake Cutting
4 pm – Presents & Goodbye
Build in buffer periods between events. Display the schedule prominently and give parents copies so everyone knows what’s ahead. Also, don’t forget to add the proper venue for the Kids’ birthday party place.
Tweak for Your Party Needs
Adjust timing as needed based on guest count. For example, a larger party may require earlier arrival and staggered game sessions. Mini birthday bashes with close family could be more compact. Simplify for younger years or add extras as they get older. Use the schedule as a guideline, but don’t stress – flexibility ensures an enjoyable day!
Order a Cake and Cupcakes
Cake and cupcakes are a must, so coordinate flavours and decorations with your theme. Incorporate theme colours, favourite characters or a picture of the birthday child. Popular flavours for kids usually include chocolate, vanilla, cookies, and cream. Something for all tastes makes everyone happy!
Organize Food & Drinks
Along with cake, opt for kid-friendly options they’ll enjoy, such as pizza, chicken nuggets, fruit skewers, or sandwiches, which are often a hit. Fairy floss is also a fun treat available from services like Jakitah when off-site. Present food buffet style so little hands can serve themselves. Keep drinks varied between water, juice boxes and perhaps creamy frappes on a hot day.
Send Party Invitations
Personalised invitations start the party’s excitement. Include all key details like date, time, theme and location. Ask parents of young guests to RSVP for headcounts. Digital invites conveniently sent via email work well. But paper invitations featuring the birthday star photo add a special touch. Set your RSVP deadline 2 weeks prior to finalising snacks and gifts. Proper invites make your celebration feel extra special.
Customisation Tips
Decorate invitations to coordinate with your chosen theme. Print photos on shimmer paper or glitter cardstock. For a toy story bash, attach invitations to tiny gift boxes. Digital invites allow easy filtering to different age groups. With free or paid online invitation makers, you have creative control. A customised touch shows your guests how much you value their attendance.
Plan Entertainment
Beyond games, finding the right entertainment makes or breaks a kid’s event. Services like Jakitah offer face painting, clown castle and characters to wow at your party. Book characters the birthday child is keen on for extra joy, while face painting artists allow self-expression. Be sure any entertainers know how to engage in age-appropriate fun for an unforgettable experience.
Do a Checklist
Print and check off your full preparations from the birthday party planner list leading up to the big day. Have all supplies, food and activities ready to go so you can simply enjoy the party without last-minute rushing. Trust that your planning will deliver a perfect party!
Conclusion
With the proper planning and using this ultimate birthday party checklist as your guide, you’ll feel confident in delivering amazing memories and happiness to your birthday child. Celebrating with family and friends in a safe, fun environment at a kid’s birthday party place like Jakitah Wonderland ensures a great experience for all. Most of all, remember to relax and savour the joyous moments of laughter and love on their special day!