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    Birthday Parties: Best Party Tips and Ideas For Ages 1-8
    Birthday Parties: Best Party Tips and Ideas For Ages 1-8
    Birthday Parties: Best Party Tips and Ideas For Ages 1-8
    Ebook166 pages2 hours

    Birthday Parties: Best Party Tips and Ideas For Ages 1-8

    By Vicki Lansky

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Plan the perfect party for your child! This book features ideas and tips. You'll find games, hunt how-tos, cake decorating, menu ideas, favors to make or buy, easy-to-do themes, words to songs and more. With age related information to help plan a great party, you can use this book year after year.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBook Peddlers, The
    Release dateSep 22, 2012
    ISBN9781931863803
    Birthday Parties: Best Party Tips and Ideas For Ages 1-8

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      Book preview

      Birthday Parties - Vicki Lansky

      BIRTHDAY

      PARTIES

      Best Tips & Ideas For Ages 1-8

      Cost Saving Tips; Easy Food Ideas

      & Age-appropriate Games

      by Vicki Lansky

      illustrations by Jack Lindstrom

      Book Trade Distribution

      Publishers Group West

      book peddlers

      deephaven, mn

      Table of Contents

      Introduction: Who, Me? Give a Party?

      1.Where Do I Start? Getting Organized

      2.What Kind of Party Will It Be?

      3.How Do I Make the Party Inviting?

      4.Let the Fun Begin!

      5.Let Them Eat Cake . . . And Other Yummies

      6.Creating the Party Magic: Decorations, Favors, and Prizes

      7.What Games & Activities Can I Plan?

      8.Winding Down the Party

      9.For Family Only

      10.Party Themes

      Index

      Introduction

      Who, Me, Give a Party?

      Yes, you can give a wonderful birthday party for your young child that is as much fun for you as for the birthday child and the guests. These younger years are a very special time. By the time kids are in elementary school they have very definite ideas about their own parties—which might not coincide with yours. This is a chance to focus on your child and create memories that will last a lifetime. Besides, birthday parties are a tremendous boost to any child’s self-esteem. A happy day of one’s own is the best birthday gift you can give your child.

      If you think children's birthday parties are getting out of control, you've come to the right place. The basic components of any party are really quite simple: invitations, decorations, presents, cake and ice cream, favors, and some planned activities. Don’t try to include every idea you’ve ever heard or read about (that includes the ideas in this book, too!) or you’ll be exhausted and the kids will be overwhelmed. Give the kind of party you enjoy giving—not the one you think you should give. Too often, parents look upon a birthday party as a ritual to be endured, or as an opportunity to make a lavish party for their own friends.

      For young children, these are the best rules to follow:

      KEEP IT SMALL

      KEEP IT SHORT

      KEEP IT SIMPLE

      KEEP IT MOVING

      AND KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR!

      Successful birthday parties don't happen by magic; the good ones are planned. It's important to bear in mind that any child's birthday party, after the first one, is for him or her, not for you. Forget showing off either your child or your decorating talents. A party must be fun for your child and the guests. Keeping it manageable, yet flexible, is the secret of success. And planning is the key!

      You can plan in your head, but most of us need to put our plans and ideas down on paper. Provided are checklists you can refer to. Or they may simply provide you with some thoughts as you make your own lists.

      You are going to need to consider:

      Budget Considerations

      Less is more. Even the simplest birthday parties cost money. What you should spend is only what you can afford to spend. Even low income families spend lavishly on birthday parties, but is not necessary. Obviously, the more you create from scratch, the less the party will cost.

      • A good way to save money is not to serve a meal. Cake and ice cream are the main components of any party, and if you provide those, you will really have done it all.

      • Activities away from home that carry a high price tag can be offset by limiting the number of guests.

      • Spending to compete with your neighbors will be something only you are aware of—your child won't—at least not for several more years.

      • Party stores will save you time buying decorations but not money. Remember you can find party supplies at dollar stores as well.

      • Buy on-line so you can think about what you'd really like to do.

      Shrink a Super-Sized Party

      Many parties today are becoming out of control. Parents often think bigger is better and children often think of their birthday party as a sense of entitlement. Explain to your child that most parties are too stuff-driven. Let them think about the party as a celebration of their lives and a chance to gather with friends. Here are a few ways to downsize the party.

      • Have party that is just for fun–no gifts from guests. Explain to your child that they will be receiving plenty– of gifts from family and the friend party is just for fun.

      • Simply serve cupcakes and fruit juice. No need to overdo the refreshments.

      • For those who can't resist, request the gifts are not to cost more than $5.00

      • Forgo the goodie bag and send each child home with an inflated balloon or one special candied item such as a giant lollipop.

      • Have your child choose one friend to do something extra special with on his/her birthday instead of having a party.

      Age Considerations

      Considering what your child is ready for at his or her specific age will go a long way to helping you plan a successful day. Your attitude and expectations can make a big difference in how well any party goes. Children grow and change dramatically from year to year, so you need to rethink your approach for each birthday.

      Age 1

      Ones have absolutely no concept of parties, despite the significance of the occasion. Schedules and formal games are unnecessary. But since the first birthday is such a landmark, it has a section all its own in Chapter 4. Keep the party short: ½ to 1 hour will more than suffice.

      Age 2

      Twos are demanding, possessive, and grabby and can't truly grasp the idea of a party. Parties need to be planned with their social immaturity in mind, and with their parent(s) included. A party with a few favorite adults can be just as satisfying for a 2-year-old as one with two or three other children. Supervised parallel play and a few activities will occupy a child of 2 and a few friends. Remember that small children have small attention spans. One suggestion is just to have a lot of large toys for the children to play with such as riding toys, oversized foam shapes, baby dolls and strollers. Most children this age will enjoy just roaming around playing with these toys instead of doing organized activities and games. No 2-year-old remembers a first birthday party, so whatever you do will be new and exciting. A party for this age need only be 1 to 1½ hours long.

      Age 3

      Children of 3 and up usually love a party. Those who are used to group situations can usually handle a party very well. If your child is shy or a loner, keep that in mind when setting up your party plan. While some children will be happy to stay at your house without a parent, some will not. Keep the party fairly informal. Avoid loud, rough games which may overstimulate children at this age. Separate quarreling children; it is better to remove a difficult child than to punish the child—after all, this is a party. 3-year-olds will enjoy both group games and solitary play. For the most part do not expect this age to cooperate in playing group games. Limit yourself to one or two, as too many group games can overwhelm them. They will happily take part in art projects, singing and circle activities. Some may need to sit alone and play with an assortment of unbreakable toys from the birthday child's collection. Guests of this age have been known to want to take their own gifts home with them, so don't be surprised if you have to deal with behavior problems. Between 1 and 2 hours should be enough time for the children and for you.

      Age 4

      Children of 4 understand the idea of a birthday party just for them and really appreciate it and get excited about it. Discipline is usually not a problem at this age. Still, speed and simplicity are in order. You will need short games, and you must keep the party moving because 4-year-olds find it hard to wait their turn. Hunts of all kinds work well for this age and up. A good story, simple arts and crafts projects, and games will all be enjoyed. Physical energy abounds, so plan to channel it. Party time of 1½ hours, but not more than 2½ hours, will work well.

      Age 5

      Children of 5 feel that parties are important and sometimes enjoy the planning and the anticipation even more than the party itself. While children of this age may seem self-contained and capable, the highly charged atmosphere of a party can be hard for a 5-year-old to handle. Theme party ideas work well with this age. It is still hard for children of 5 to take turns, and they will need to be entertained steadily. Same-sex parties start to emerge for some at this age. Be sure to mark guests' take-home items clearly, because 4-year-olds don't like to lose things or get their possessions mixed up with others'. Parties away from home can work, but you still run the risk of overwhelming your child and/or the guests. Be conservative in the place you pick and the number of guests you invite if you'll be outside the house. The ideal length of parties for this age is about 2 hours.

      Age 6 and up

      Elementary-age children love parties, love the traditions, and eagerly plan and participate in all of it. A sense of fairness will be evident; theme parties are enjoyed; fewer children are fussy eaters. Their exuberance requires you to be well-organized. Parties away from home can work well from this age and on. Children at this age begin have their own ideas of how they want their party to be run. Do listen to them. After all, it's their day! Parties of 2 to 2½ hours are fine. Parties for 6 to 8-year-olds should not exceed 3 hours, or the children will get tired, overexcited, and hard to handle.

      Choosing the Date

      Plan the party for a day that's convenient for you, one when you'll have adequate help. Weekends are better, for example, if you want help from your spouse or a school-age sitter. Start thinking about a date at least a month prior to the party.

      • Try to set the party date for the actual birthday, but don't be

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