How To Make Your Child’s Birthday Party Amazing Successful

By Tim Cate

First Things First

Let’s talk about the invitation. You can purchase just about any style invitation at the store, or you can make your own. If you’re having entertainment, ask them if they provide invitations. Computers make custom invitations easy and fun. Here are a couple ideas…

  • Have the birthday child draw a picture, scan it, fill in the appropriate information, (who what, where, when, why, and RSVP information), print it, and send them out.
  • Design your own card around the party theme. (you DO have a theme, right? – more on that later.) There are many wonderful programs out there that can easily help you design your own unique invitation. Your computer probably already has such a program.

If you’d prefer just to buy them, I highly recommend “Birthday in a Box.” You can visit their website here:

6 Sure Fire Ways to Get Your Guests to Arrive on Time

One of the biggest problems that accompanies a birthday party is getting the guests to arrive on time. Here are some tips to get them there when you want them there!

  1. Ask them to be prompt. It sounds simple enough, but the mere act of asking for promptness will assure more guests will arrive on time. Remember the old adage…”ask and ye shall receive.”
  2. Let them know what time the entertainment starts. Appeal to the needs and desires of the guests. Tell them that they’ll miss something important and fun if they don’t arrive on time. Simply state in your invitation something like, “the entertainment will begin at 2:30. You won’t want to miss even a minute of this exciting event!”
  3. Add the word “sharp” after the start time. i.e. 1:00 pm sharp.
  4. If the party starts at 1:30, have a drawing at 1:35 and give away a prize. Be sure to state this in your invitation. That’s right – BRIBE your guests.
  5. Send a reminder note home, either through the backpack at school or mail a postcard. Just put a quick note on it like, “Just a reminder, Jimmy’s birthday party is Saturday at 1:00 pm.”
  6. Have the party start on the quarter hour. (i.e. 1:15 or 1:45) Studies show that people arrive on time more often, on the quarter hour – go figure!

You Can’t Go Wrong with a Good Theme

Having trouble coming up with a good theme? A theme is a must! Remember, I’ve been to 100’s of birthday parties and the ones that are most successful and fun are the ones with a specific theme. Don’t want to go with a “commercial” theme? On a tight budget? Here are some great non-commercial themes that cost next to nothing to put together:

  • Bungle in the Jungle – Haul out the kids’ stuffed animals and put them around the house in a jungle setting. Have the kids come dressed as their favorite jungle animal or in safari attire.
  • Dress Up – Why not put the clothes that are crammed in the back of your closet to good use? Pull out boxes of clothes, hats, shoes, etc. and see who can come up with the most creative outfit. Or for a fun game, blindfold the kids and have them dress themselves.
  • I’m Blue – And we don’t mean sad. Everything is blue! Have the guests come dressed in blue, serve blue food and drinks on blue plates and in blue cups. Do some sort of blue craft. Any color will work; let your child pick his or her favorite.
  • Karaoke or Sing Along – What could be more fun than singing with a group of friends? Don’t have a karaoke machine? Your local rental place can probably help.
  • Guitar Hero – If you have this popular video game, you know how much fun it can be. Have the kids dress up as their favorite rock stars.
  • Carnival or Circus – this theme works real well if you are hiring a clown or juggler. Be sure to tell the entertainer you are having this type of theme.
  • It’s Magic – If you are hiring a magician, then make the whole party revolve around the magic theme. Use magic tricks as the party gifts and don’t forget the obvious rabbits, top hats, and magic wands for decorations. (be sure to check out my BONUS REPORT: 10 Tips on Hiring Entertainment, located at the end of this eBook.)
  • Pizza Party – but NOT at the pizza parlor. Let the kids make individual pizzas and that way each child gets the exact pizza they want. (This theme works well as long as there are not too many kids.)

At Home or Not at Home, That is the Question

Where do you have this shindig? The possibilities are almost endless, but here are a few suggestions:

  • Local Pool
  • Pizza Place (some even have free party rooms)
  • Skating Rink
  • Country Club
  • Bowling Alley
  • Park District
  • Clubhouse (if you live in a subdivision, apartment or condo)
  • Your House
  • YWCA or YMCA
  • Your Backyard – this way you can have the party at home AND keep the mess outside. (HELPFUL TIP: If you hire professional entertainment, be sure to tell them the party is outdoors. An outside setting may not work for some acts, and may be preferred for others. (like jugglers) Even if you have the party outdoors, you can still have the entertainment inside.

How Many Kids Should I Invite?

This is the age old question. You want to have a nice turn out for your child’s party, but on the other hand, do you want 100 people there?

In some schools, if you send the invitations through the kids’ backpack you will need to invite all of the kids in the class. If you choose to mail the invites, have your child come up with a list of 15 – 20 names. This brings us to the next question…

How Many Kids Should I Expect?

Average class size is around 30. In you invite everybody, expect about 75% to come. (This is based on average. It’s also a possibility that everybody could show up.)

What if my Child’s Birthday is in the Summer?

This should not pose a problem. If your child’s class has a roster, make sure you hold onto it so you know where to mail the invites.

What to put in the “Goodie Bags”?

Goodie Bags can be as simple or extravagant as you’d like. You can usually purchase a large bag of toys and goodies at your local party store. Or go to the dollar store and just walk around. You’ll get a ton of ideas. Or if you are hiring entertainment, see if they’ll provide them.

Make it Look Snazzy!

How can you make it look like there’s a party? DECORATE! Here are a few ideas…

  • Streamers - Let’s not underestimate the power of crepe paper. This is the cheapest and simplest way to “party-up” your house.
  • Have a sign that says, “Here’s the Party!”. Especially if your house is hard to get to.
  • Go with the theme – whatever theme you choose, scour your house and find anything that fits.
  • Balloons - Not only can they serve as decoration, but as party favors too. Have a huge bunch of balloons and as the kids leave, give them one. (It’s a great way to get them out of your house.) And while we are on the subject…

A Few Tips about Balloons

I was a professional balloon decorator for ten years. Here are some things to consider when you are shopping for balloons.

  • Balloons filled with air WILL NOT float. They must be filled with helium.
  • Have a professional inflate the balloons. Unless you know what you are doing, filling balloons on the day of the party is a pretty big task. Just have a balloon store handle it.
  • Get your balloons the day of the party. I can’t stress this enough. Balloons purchased the day before WILL NOT last. They will also look better the more fresh they are. But if you don’t have time on party day…
  • Have your balloons treated. Balloons that are treated with something called Super Hi-Float will last for days. Some places will include this in the price, some will charge extra. Be sure to ask. If they don’t know what you’re talking about, go somewhere else.
  • Ask if they use 100% helium. As of this writing in 2008, there is a helium shortage. Because of this, some stores are using a mix of air and helium. Stores that are guilty of this usually charge way less than stores who use 100% helium. Balloons that are filled with this mixture will usually go down in a few hours. Be sure to ask. If they use a mix, or don’t know what you are talking about, go somewhere else.
  • Take care of your balloons. Keep them indoors in a cool dry place until it’s time to decorate. If you plan on putting them outdoors, they will oxidize. (fog up) And if it’s a real hot day, there is a chance your balloons will pop.

Make it an Event to Remember

This is easy to do – just take LOTS of pictures. In this age of digital cameras, it costs nothing to take a ton of pictures. You can always delete the bad ones.

Videotaping is also a great way to relive your party memories. If you don’t have a camcorder, borrow one. Most digital cameras also take video.

Don’t Have it? Rent it!

You’d be surprised at what you can rent. Moonwalks, carnival games, bean bag toss, ring toss, cotton candy machines, sno-cone machines just to name a few. Call your local rental place and see what they have. Check in the yellow pages or on the internet for “Party Supplies” or “Amusement” for a list of suppliers.

Party Games and Activities

  • Water Balloon Toss – Be sure to mention this on the invitation so the kids can dress appropriately.
  • Relay Races
  • Izzy Dizzy Bat Race – This is definitely an outside game. Have a starting line and a finish line, about 20 feet apart. And you’ll also need several bats. Split the kids into teams – the first child puts the top of the bat on the ground and bends over and puts their head on the other end and spins around three times, stands up, and runs to the finish line, tags a teammate, and he does the same thing. The first team to finish wins.
  • Decorate cookies or cupcakes
  • Obstacle course
  • Remember to use the things you have in your house. Ping –pong table, foosball, pool table, swimming pool, etc. Don’t underestimate these things. Though your kids may have access to them all the time, others may not. And watching other kids play them may inspire your kids to start using them again.
  • Tie in your entertainment with a craft idea. i.e. If you have a ventriloquist or puppeteer, make sock puppets. A magician? Learn a magic trick. Or get a bunch of cheap top hats and the kids can decorate them. A clown? Try face painting.

And don’t forget about our favorites…

  • Limbo
  • Simon Says
  • Pin the Tail on the Donkey

They are classics for a reason.

Other Party Ideas and Themes

  • Bugs
  • Aliens
  • Construction – Great for small children. Put out blocks and trucks and they’ll have a blast.
  • Dragons
  • Decades – 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s and even 90’s are great themes.
  • Pirates
  • TheOld West
  • Picnic
  • Ice Cream Party
  • Hawaiian Luau

A Couple Tips about Food

Here are some of my favorite tips about serving food…

  • Serve cupcakes - Buy a small cake to sing Happy Birthday with, then serve the kids cupcakes. The kids will love this and you won’t have to do any cake cutting. Another cool idea is to have a “cupcake bar” and have the kids decorate their own. (Stay away from messy items like chocolate chips. You’ll thank me later.) Have your family enjoy the other cake later.
  • Have some juice boxes in a cooler – They are healthier than soda and you don’t have to pour anything. (White Grape or Apple are nice because they won’t stain very much.)
  • If you decide to serve food, small pizza squares work great for little hands
  • Don’t let the children have food or drink during the entertainment, your carpet will suffer.

How to Keep the Party Going

Okay, we have the theme, we’ve hired the entertainment, (more on that in the bonus section at the end) the invitations have gone out, we know what food we are serving, can you relax now? You bet! Why shouldn’t you have fun at the party too? Here are a few simple tips to help keep the party running smoothly so you can have a good time too.

  • Don’t rush things! Have a schedule in mind, but be flexible. If the kids are having a good time in the moonwalk, don’t make them get out to sing songs.
  • Have everything prepared ahead of time. Then all you have to do is set it out and unwrap it.
  • Use disposable items whenever possible. This way you aren’t in the kitchen washing dishes when the kids are opening gifts. (Helpful Hint: You can purchase disposable plates, napkins, and cups centered around almost ever theme listed in this book.)
  • GET HELP! Don’t try to do it all yourself. If someone offers to help, let them!

Common Mistakes Made by Party Planners

I’ve personally been to hundreds of birthday parties. Here are a few of the most common mistakes I see.

  • Over-scheduling – Don’t try to “cram the party down their throats”, and don’t try to do too many things at the party. Here’s an example of a typical party. Let’s assume the party starts at 1:00 pm...
  • 1:00 – 1:30 – Guests arrive; play one game or some other activity.
  • 1:30 – 2:15 – Entertainment performs.
  • 2:15 – 3:00 – Presents are opened, and cake is served.
  • 3:00 – Party is over.
  • Scheduling against another event – i.e. other birthday parties, vacations, sporting events, etc. (I once had somebody who wanted to have a party on Super Bowl Sunday.) Some of these things can’t be helped, and you can’t know EVERYTHING that’s going on. But if you know that your child’s best friend’s party is on a certain day, try to pick a different day.
  • Not having a backup plan – What if it rains? Do you have a backup plan? If you have to move the party inside, do you have room for it? These things MUST be considered. Make sure you have enough indoor activities if this happens.
  • Doing everything last minute – Have a checklist and use it. (Conveniently, there’s one at the back of this report.)

Don’t Forget the “After Party Things”

  • Have a big garbage can with a bag to throw everything out.
  • Ask your kids to help you take down the decorations. (Kids love doing this.)
  • Don’t forget thank you notes! If your child is old enough, they can write them themselves.

BONUS #1

Party Checklist

2 months (or more before)

____ Choose a date

____Order/purchase/make invitations

____Book entertainment

____Book facility (if you’re not having it at home)

1 month before

____Decide on a theme

____Order/shop for plates, napkins, etc.

2-3 Weeks before

____Send invitations

____Order cake and/or party platters

1 week before

____Confirm entertainer

____Send reminders

The day before

____Pick up cake and candles

____Assemble party bags (do a few extra just in case)

____Prepare any snacks, cookies, etc. that can keep overnight

____Decorate

____Prepare a table for gifts

____Prepare any games that are to be played

Day of the Party

____Fill cooler with ice, drinks, or juice boxes.

____15-20 minutes before, set out any non-perishables

____Relax and enjoy the party!

Remember, your party can be as extravagant or as simple as you want. But the important thing to remember is that it should be fun for your child.

BONUS #2

10 Tips on How to Hire an Entertainer

One of the best ways to make sure your child’s party is a big success is to hire professional entertainment. Yes, I’m a little biased since I am a professional birthday magician. But birthday entertainers go to dozens, even hundreds of birthday parties a year. What better way to assure success than to hire someone with a ton of birthday experience. You’ll be amazed at what a big feel having a professional entertainer will make. Here are a few suggestions of types of entertainers to hire:

  • Magician
  • Clown
  • Juggler
  • Balloon Twister
  • Puppeteer
  • Ventriloquist
  • Storyteller

Type in “birthday party entertainer” in Google or another search engine. You may get some more ideas.

Great! You’ve made the decision to hire professional entertainment for your child’s birthday party. Chances are, you’ve never done this before. Don’t worry; I’m here to help you. Whether you hire me or not, I want to make sure you to get someone good.