Ps&Qs and RSVPs – Kid’s Party Etiquette for Parents
May 13th
Like any other social occasions there are do’s and don’ts at kid’s parties, although they are easy to get the hang off them when you are in full swing. Here are a some of the basics …
RSVPs
Always include an RSVP date and phone number on your party invitations. In the event of a guest failing to RSVP, a cordial call on or after your RSVP date is perfectly acceptable. Sometimes mail is delayed and other mishaps occur, and you need to be sure that the invitation was received. In addition, knowing the exact guest count is necessary for planning purposes.
Hello!
Encourage the birthday boy or girl to greet each of their guests personally when they arrive. Not only will they see all that their friends have made the special effort to be with them on their birthday, it means the guests will feel really welcome too.
Everyone wins!
If your child wants to play competitive games, try to plan them so that every guest wins convincingly at least once. Games like pass-the-parcel and musical statues are perfect for this. Why not include a few team games as well, like a treasure hunt? Then the whole gang faces a challenge and everyone wins!
It’s my party , and I’ll cry if I want to …
Sometimes the birthday boy or girl may begin to misbehave. If this happens emphasize the important role your child has as the party host or hostess to make guests feel comfortable. Discuss the responsibilities s/he will have such as greeting the guests, showing them where to sit at the party table, and handing out party favours. Stress that through helping others enjoy the day, your child will likely have a better time too. A gentle reminder during the party should be all that’s needed once you’ve laid down the ground rules.
Gifts with a Smile
Children may sometimes express their true, and not necessarily polite, feelings about a gift they have received. In advance of the party, explain to your child that it’s necessary to thank all the gift-givers with equal enthusiasm, no matter what the gift. Impress upon them that each guest feels their gift is special, and that it’s the thought behind it that counts.
If you plan to open gifts at the party, make it early before kids are tired and cranky. Of course, this issue can be avoided entirely by opening the gifts after guests have departed, a time-saving practice which prevents the embarrassment of the party child making ungrateful comments. Whatever you decide, remember to do it with a smile!
Thanks
Your guests will really appreciate personal thank you notes for their gifts. Use notes that follow the theme, and there are many ways to say thank you too.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=db7ab32e-343a-4dc1-8b36-01fac01fdd2e)
Hitting the right notes – 27 of our favourite kid’s birthday party songs
Mar 7th
We all know the types of music we like to dance to, but what will make children between 4 and 9 get up and groove at a birthday party? Is it best to play nursery rhymes and cartoon theme tunes, or something a bit more rock and roll?
The trick is to select a mixture of both and make your choices wide ranging to suit all tastes. Yes, even Black Lace! So here are our 27 top tunes.
Have we included your favourite in our list?
| Blame it on the Boogie | Jackson 5 |
| The Time Warp | Damian |
| I Like to Move it – Radio Edit | Reel 2 Reel |
| I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) | Proclaimers |
| Nellie the elephant | Kids |
| Don’t Stop Me Now | Mcfly |
| Amarillo | Tony Christie |
| Baggy Trousers – Heavy Heavy Hits | Madness |
| Monster | The Automatic |
| Grease Megamix | Grease |
| S Club Party | S Club 7 |
| Fast Food Song | Fast Food Rockers |
| Cha Cha Slide | DJ Casper |
| Pump It | Black Eyed Peas |
| Twist and shout | Jive bunny |
| Saturday Night | Whigfield |
| Superman | Black Lace |
| 5, 6, 7, 8 | Steps |
| Who Let The Dogs Out | Baha Men |
| YMCA – Best Disco Album | Village People |
| Hey Baby | DJ Otzi |
| Ghostbusters | Ray Parker Jr. |
| Can We Fix It | Bob The Builder |
| The Hokey Pokey | Kids Party Songs |
| Rock This Party | Bob Sinclar |
| Macarena | Los Del Rio |
| Boombastic | Shaggy |
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=14f491b8-417a-4cae-b61b-8ed4454c7e49)
Quirky ways to spread the love this Valentines
Feb 9th
For those of you looking for wonderfully quirky things to make with your children that say I love you, look no further.
Valentine's Shadow Boxes from Supermom Central
Biscuits and bookmarks by Hausfrau in Melbourne
Saying it with flowers from Mom Blog Network
Hands on the heart from Roots and Wings
So there is nothing stopping you now. Start spreading the love!
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=f1a155a7-88b7-4628-9e38-a3bc9fc9e4fd)
So you’ve chosen a party date, booked the venue, and sent out the invites, what next?
Feb 2nd
- Image via Wikipedia
The idea of entertaining a room full of little rascals may seem daunting at first, but with a little planning you’ll find the time simply flies by. Here is a simple checklist for your party plan.
- Break the ice
A simple energetic game is a great ice breaker. It encourages kids to join in and play together, even less confident children who may be a bit shy at first. Strike a pose is a good one as it uses music (always a great ice breaker), dancing and everyone’s a winner too. - Celebrate
Draw all your little guests together, welcome them, introduce yourself and your helpers, and then lead them all in a cheer for the birthday boy or girl. Right from the beginning, it is so important the birthday girl or boy feels it is there special day. - Create
One great advantage of a theme is that it provides your event with an obvious beginning, middle and end, and the beginning can be very creative. This could involve making things, like pirate hats for example, or getting dressed up a fashion divas, princesses and rock stars. - Energise
Two or three highly energetic party games will be about enough to keep the room buzzing if you are planning a party of 2 hours. Need a few ideas, read How to choose the best children’s party games - Feed and water
If you want to serve a small meal, keep the offerings simple. Familiar snacks like sausage rolls, cupcakes, fruit skewers, fairy bread or sandwiches always go down well. Be aware of any food allergies – it’s best to avoid anything with nuts (including peanut butter sandwiches) because so many children are allergic to them.If the parents are staying for the party, make up some tasty treats (dips are easy and delicious) for them too.
- Cool down
It’s best not to encourage kids to be too energetic after they’ve eaten so think of something less energetic than a game. Again your theme could help you here. We often finish off with a simple dance routine or a fashion show. - Release
And before you know it, it’s the end of the party and parents are ready to collect their happy, fed and exhausted children.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=ee26faa7-f166-464b-8694-2babd638d49a)
How to choose the best children’s party games
Feb 2nd
- Image by Mundoo via Flickr
What can you remember most about your birthday parties when a child? The balloons? Streamers? Matching plates? Most likely the greatest hit was the prepared games and activities. So many of the most successful games are simply and easy to include in your party plan. Here are 6 ways to make sure you choose the best.
- Ask your child
What would they like to play at their party. If they think it’s a fun game, their friends probably will too. - Consider space and age
Trying to get younger children to take part in games with structured rules and outcomes is often like herding cats – exhausting and ultimately unrewarding. In these cases, leave it simple. Older children like games with a challenge and a clear outcome. - Be Flexible.
If you sense that a party game is not going well, let it go and move on to the next activity. Or, make a quick adaptation to an existing game. - Indoors or Out?
If your party games are dependent on the weather…be prepared to take the party indoors if necessary. - Be Prepared.
Have all games set up and ready to go before the party. Make sure you understand how the games is played. - Everyone is a Winner.
Parties are a time to have fun, which means all guests should go home smiling. Try to reward all players just for participating. Stickers are a great way to do this, and kind to the teeth too.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=8fc44e2f-3b4f-4705-a086-d83b2ffa429c)
Children’s party games for princesses, fashion divas and rocking stars
Feb 2nd
- Image via Wikipedia
Strike a pose
This simple game is similar to musical chairs – except that you don’t need chairs. Kids always enjoy it, and with the added pizzazz of it being on an imaginary catwalk, it becomes really exciting.
Everyone dances around to the music until you stop the song. They must then strike a pose in whatever dancing position they are in. Anybody caught moving is out.
Start the music again fairly quickly and keep repeating until you have a winner. The non-players can pretend to be fashion photographers and help you to spot any movements
Hide a small item of treasure – it could be gold coins, a crown, or some other object that suits your theme, in one of your party rooms, or in a section of the garden. Make sure the kids know what they are looking for.
Then have your little guests come into the room and search for the item. As they get closer call out “Warmer, warmer” until you get to “Hot!”. As they get further away you call out “Cooler, cooler” until you get to “Cold”.
The first person to find item then gets to go and hide it for the next round, or if it is an item of clothing, like a crown, wear it for the rest of the party.
Disco lights – a version of traffic lights
You will need disco light for this one. Or alternatively, cut our a red circle, green circle and a yellow circle. Now get some music playing. Ask the children to start rocking. Every few minutes, stop the lights or hold up a coloured card and shout:
“Stop, the lights are red!”, “Slow down – the lights are Yellow” or “Get dancing, the lights are green”.
If the lights are red, the children must stand absolutely still. If they are yellow, they must slowly and on green they can dance normally.
Any others ….
| Looking for other ideas:
The BBC’s Guide to Party Games we enjoyed as kids |
|
Netmums collection of Party Games
http://www.netmums.com/parties/Party_Games.251/
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=9598ab53-b4a8-41fc-8508-0dab5b46f29c)
Is your child ready to rock? And other fabulous kid’s party themes.
Feb 2nd
- Image via Wikipedia
Can you remember your first disco? I was 7 and my dad took me to the Golf Hotel in Ireland. Dancing with my Dad and my friends was just electric. Can you remember dancing to C’mon on Eileen by Dexy Midnight Runners too? Such memories often inspire me when planning birthday parties.
One of my most successful party themes is Fashion Rocks, a highly energetic, jam-packed party where children dance, sing and get dressed up in the shimmering outfits so that they feel like little princesses and rock stars. There are lots of party games and at the end, our little guests perform a cat walk show.
Fashion Rocks is often chosen by birthday girls. For birthday boys, we have Rocking Rebels, and as well as shimmering outfits we provide ultra-cool bandanas, shades and inflatable guitars (can you just imagine the air guitar moves?!)
Of course, children can be the harshest of critics so I was delighted the other day when one of my mums came back to me and said, “The kids were still talking about it at Nursery today”. Comments like that make me realise, I’ve just got the greatest job!
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=c14deaef-dd91-4938-8abf-08b3a31901eb)
Top tips for the perfect children’s event
Jan 11th
Top tips for planning the prefect children’s event
When it comes to party time for your little rascal, it is easy to feel stressed, but help is at hand. As a veteran children’s birthday-party thrower, I’ve learned quite a few lessons. Here are a few of my top tips when planning the prefect children’s event. Follow them, and who knows, you may have great fun on the day too.
- To begin …
Choosing the right day and date is a key part of planning. Not only should it fit into your diary, but many children have hectic social and activity calendars too. Before you go ahead with bookings and invitations, make sure your child’s best friend can come on the date you are planning. The absence of a special friend can take the shine off even the brightest celebration.
Parties can be held during the week, but weekends are better for younger children, making the celebration the day’s sole big event. Plus, parents can often attend more easily too. - It’s all in the timing
Don’t make the party too long. Most children can handle one and a half to 2 hours of noise and excitement. After that, you may find smaller revellers are starting to fray around the edges. Meltdowns do not make for magic party moments. As for the time of day you choose to start your child’s party – younger children are generally at their effervescent best in the morning while older children will cope well any time of day. The choice is yours. - Invitations
These days invitations can be sent by email or the more traditional way. Whatever you decide to do, try to give the guests’ parents ample warning of your event by sending them out at least 3 weeks in advance.
Invitations are a real opportunity to set the theme for the whole party. Make sure they are fun and include all essential details, including dress codes, directions to the venue and whether food will be provided. And don’t forget an RSVP! - Breaking the ice
To get the party off to a good start, plan an ice-breaker game or activity that the kids can join in as soon as they arrive. - Venue
Take the hard work out of organising your child’s party by outsourcing the entertainment – or the whole affair. The big advantage of home parties is that they are generally less expensive than hired venues. Venues, on the other hand, offer novelty, excitement and dedicated entertainment. Best of all, you get to relax and enjoy the party too. After-party mess? Not your problem. - Themes
A theme can structure the event brilliantly. Even a colour code can bring an added whirl when carried forward in the decorations, food and games. We have great fun with our Rock Star and Princess themes which include dressing up, mini makeovers and fashion shows. - Menu
If you want to serve a small meal, keep the offerings simple. Familiar snacks like sausage rolls, cupcakes, fruit skewers, fairy bread or sandwiches always go down well. Be aware of any food allergies – it’s best to avoid anything with nuts (including peanut butter sandwiches) because so many children are allergic to them.If the parents are staying for the party, make up some tasty treats (dips are easy and delicious) for them too. - Games
You can go all out and hire games equipment but traditional games never lose their appeal – especially with younger children. Musical bumps, Pin the Tail on the Donkey and the Hokey-Cokey are exciting for three- and four-year olds because they may be discovering them for the first time. Five- and six-year-olds may enjoy more robust games like three-legged races, sack races and egg-and-spoon races. Older children will be ready for simple crafts like making pirate hats, princess crowns or other novelties. And everyone loves to have a go at decorating their very own fairy cakes. - Music
Music also plays a big part in my events. Kids are always into the latest music and love to dance. I have actually learned a few new dances from the 8 year olds at my “Rock Star” parties and have been prompted to update my IPOD from their suggestions! - Make it special
The best part about planning a party for children is knowing you can have fun and be whimsical. Little touches can elicit shrieks of delight. Kids just love being able to laugh and dance and play, knowing the entire event is all about them.When planning a party, the most important thing of all is to remember what it was like when you were a child. Relax a little and most importantly, have fun!
Let’s dance
Jan 5th
Ever wondered why we enjoy singing and dancing so much? Because it is the most natural form of communication.
If you think back to when our little rascals were babies, we instinctively sang to them while rocking them to sleep. Now when we dance together, in my case in our kitchen, we share rhythms and rhymes and learn timing and coordination – all while having lots of fun.
The BBC has created a great little site on the benefits of music and dance in your child’s development. The Parent’s Music Room include great tips like
And let’s not forget that a little dance before bedtime can be a good way to drain your child’s excess energy. Follow it with a soothing story and send them off to sleep!
