Children's parties: are you game?
Do the words 'children's party' make you break out in a cold sweat? If you don't know where to begin with planning your kids' party, don't worry! We have some great tips to make sure it's a roaring success.
Have a plan
Pictured: 10 Rusty the Fox party invites - £2.95
Careful planning will make things go smoothly on the day. Remember, your party doesn't have to be big - invite 5 to 10 of your little one's closest friends and make sure you have another adult or two there to help you out.
It's a great idea to send out invitations so everyone knows the details, especially if there's going to be a fancy dress theme. The other children's parents will appreciate having plenty of time to prepare the costumes!
Think of a theme
Pictured: Pirate Cake Bunting Set - £3.95
Having a theme will make it so much easier to create an awesome party - you can coordinate everything from your decorations to your food. Need some classic themes? How about dinosaurs, racing cars, or astronauts exploring space!
With any theme you can go above and beyond to make your party magical. A Mexican fiesta will benefit from a piñata, or you could bury some chocolate dubloons in a sand pit for mini pirates to discover.
Games and activities
Pictured: Sports Day Finish Line Tape - £3.95
Make sure you've got some fun activities planned - you definitely don't want to be inventing games once the party starts. Make sure your activities fit with your theme: you could set up a long plank for little pirates to walk along, or try your hand at face-painting for a circus party.
Why not consider holding your own Sports Day in your garden? Hold an egg and spoon race, a running race or a game of rounders, and give out medals to everyone who takes part!
Fabulous foods
Pictured: 6 Skull Paper Plates - £1.95
We all know that sausages on sticks and sandwiches with the crusts cut off are party staples, but you can make your food even more fun simply by naming it! For example, at a Halloween party red jelly is now zombie brains and cocktail sausages are witches' fingers. Kids will love their ghoulish snacks!
Before your party, be sure to check with your guests' parents about food allergies and intolerances, then make sure you cater for every child - you don't want any rumbling tummies.
Take-home treats
Pictured: 6 Assorted Party Cones - £14.95
Finally, no party is complete without a party bag! Kids love taking a little of the party home with them, so get your hands on some cute bags and fill them with treats.
Perfect party bag items include stickers, small toys (beware of choking hazards for very little kids), party blowers and poppers, party hats, a few sweets and - of course - a slice of birthday cake!
That's it, you've thrown a successful children's party! Now you can sit back, relax and start thinking about the next one...