Birthday parties are so important for the little ones and why not? It’s a day filled with friends, family, presents, cake and so much more so what’s not to love?  Besides, birthdays only come once a year making it even more exciting.

As exciting as birthday parties are for kids, they can take a lot of work and planning. The good news is that they don’t have to be some big, extravagant and expensive event. A simple party that’s thoughtful, personal and well planned will be far more special than a big, impersonal bash.

I’ve planned several birthday parties for my kids and here are a few things to keep in mind to make it feel special, without it getting overwhelming.

Keep the guest list small

Most kids don’t need or even want huge parties so while it can be tempting to invite the whole class, smaller gatherings often feel more relaxed and enjoyable for both children and parents. Having too many people can make it costly and can also become overwhelming for many kids. And the larger the party the more work for you too. Keeping it small also means you can have the party at home making it even more personal and budget-friendly.

Pick a theme

I’m not talking about generic party themes but instead think about what your child loves right now. Are they into baking or reading or it could even be something as simple as planning the party around a favourite colour, a favourite book or a favourite food.

Having a theme that means something to your child will not only make the party more memorable but will also help you plan the rest of the party. For e.g. if you go with a colour then everything from invites to the cake can be in various shades of that colour which will make decisions much easier and faster.

Plan a simple menu

Kids don’t need fancy food and neither do they need a huge variety. Instead for kids it’s all about familiar, easy-to-eat food. Think cut fruit, mini sandwiches, popcorn, mini pizzas and small sweet treats. Things that can be eaten with fingers is best too.

And of course you’ll need a cake and whether it’s homemade or shop bought, it doesn’t need to be elaborate. A simple cake with a few decorations like a DIY cake topper, sprinkles, fresh fruit or a few candles is more than enough.

Most importantly don’t forget to check for allergies before you decide on what food you’re going to be serving. And if you’re buying some of the food, you’ll need to check the labels to ensure they too are free of any allergens you’ve been made aware of.

Plan the activity

Kids, especially young kids need to have some entertainment or activities at their parties so do consider what entertainment options you’re going to have. 

There are fantastic companies out there that provide entire packages of kids entertainment for parties, decoration, games, and so much more. So if budget allows you can get an external company to do this for you. But once again it can also be very simple activities like old-fashioned games of Simon Says, Musical Chairs and Pass the Parcel which you can easily manage yourself. 

Don’t forget party bags

Next thing to consider is party bags. Getting this right is more about the guests than your child as you’ll want kids to love the party bags that you’ve given out. Of course you could buy all the items individually and fill each bag yourself but that can get time consuming and costly. The good news is that you can purchase pre filled party bags and this is one short-cut worth taking.

Do some research, find a company that offers party bags that contain the kinds of items you’re interested in providing, and that fit your budget. You want to ensure quality over everything else when you’re making a purchase, as the last thing that you want is just random pieces of plastic that nobody wants and that end up in the bin almost immediately.

Enjoy yourself

Perhaps most importantly don’t forget to enjoy yourself. If you’re relaxed, the kids will be relaxed and will enjoy the day so much more. A kids birthday party isn’t about perfection or extravagance and it certainly isn’t about stressing yourself out. Instead it’s about making memories and having fun. Even if things go wrong, take it in your stride and don’t let it get in the way of having fun.