We have always loved having the girls parties in our home. Meeting the other children and welcoming them into your space we think is lovely for our kids, and so important when building bonds with their friends. We have a set routine for their parties that has evolved over the years and has been pretty foolproof for us! Use this easy birthday party format and you will sail through those party days too…well maybe with a wee glass of wine later in the day when you’ve put your feet up!
The structure is this:
Arrive – hunt activity (usually based on the party theme – their choice!)
For our youngest this year we had a ‘My Little Pony’ party so on arrival everyone had to go find pictures of Rainbow Dash that we had printed out and stuck around the house. Keeping them moving and allowing those who arrive not to feel they’ve missed any of the action makes for a good start.
After 10 mins we launch into our craft or activity…I’ve tried a few things over the years and it is very dependent on the party them but we’ve done everything from tote bags, to magic wands to watercolour painting.
Treasure Hunt – this is my hubby’s domain. He creates clues and plants them in different rooms. We split the children into 2 teams and they follow the clues until they find their treasure, a wrapped shoe box full of sweets, which is put in their party bags for home.
While the hunt is going on I lay out the food table and the kids all come to eat…usually the quietest part of the party! My hubby clears up while we do pass the party or musical statues – proper retro games…they still love them!!
This takes us to home time and we say our tearful farewells (if I could put an emoji in here I would cause you know which one it would be!!)…usually fall onto the sofa with a big mug of coffee and are thankful we’ve survived another one!
We change the crafts and games but the overall structure stays the same. Even this year when our middle daughter wanted a forest party the structure was the same:
Walked to the forest – had a scavenger hunt on the way.
Craft – painted these brilliant balsa wood leaves from Yellow Moon at a picnic table in the woods.
Treasure Hunt – Johnny had stuck bamboo sticks in a confined area of the forest with letters on them which, when unjumbled, told them where the treasure was.
Food – picnic of hotdogs and goodies.
Walked home.
Same structure and the bonus of this was there was very little clear up as everything went in the bins in the forest! Be creative and follow the structure and you’ll find a stress free, fun party that your wee one will remember for years to come!
Finally, consider writing a little thank you card to those who came…I used this photo and added the text. We’ll print it out and my Annie can write her note on the back. A little moment from the day and a nice way to say thank you for the gifts that were brought.
What about you…do you love birthday parties in your home? If so, I’d love to hear your ideas…I’m always adding to my list!!