3 Golden Rules to a Stress-Free Children's Party

If you've ever been to a child's birthday party, you know how one little malfunction can result in a room full of tears or tantrums. It's even worse if you're the parent throwing the party. Can we say stressed out Mommy and Daddy? Relax, the 3 Golden Rules to throwing a children's party work every time to keep the fun in and the stress out.

Golden Rule #1: Keep it Simple

Some parents plan elaborate birthday parties, paramount to a royal function. Not only is this expensive, difficult to coordinate and often chaotic, it's usually a waste of time. Kids don't care as much about lavish events as parents do. Successful birthday parties include entertainment, games and of-course, cake. Some special activities are fun, like a bouncy castle, but keep the party under control by keeping it simple. Kids are just as impressed throwing water balloons about, having a sack race or playing that old fashioned game of musical chairs. Simple activities are easier to control and supervise and are much less likely to cause upset or injury. So keep it simple, safe and fun.

Golden Rule #2: Engage the Masses

One kid playing alone is a ball of energy and motion. Add a few more kids, and they feed off each other, fuelling the energy levels and inviting chaos. Trying to get a group of excited, hyper children to sit and eat a hot dog can be a challenging task. However, you can bring the group under control by offering engaging entertainment that will settle them down and focus their attention. A movie is good, but it can be hit or miss if some of the children have already seen it. Live entertainment, however, is always a sure fire winner. Magic tricks that astound and amaze will capture the imagination and keep children riveted to their spots. Puppet shows or clowns that sing and dance can also be good for toddlers and preschoolers. Providing engaging entertainment before the meal and/or birthday cake is the golden rule for the orderly serving of cake and presents.

Golden Rule #3: Snack, Unwrap and Go!

Save the food and gifts for the end of the party. Whether it's an actual meal of hot dogs or pizza (because you're keeping it simple), or you are just serving up cake, save the food to the end of the party, immediately following the entertainment. Having the children relatively calm makes the meal more enjoyable for everyone and less likely to end up all over the floor. Right after the birthday cake, gifts can be unwrapped. Opening gifts just before the children leave avoids playtime warring, while still allowing every guest to see what treasures hide beneath the fancy paper. Once presents are done, the birthday boy or girl can hand out loot bags as a thank-you to the children for coming. It makes for a final touch and a great parting gift to send children happily out the door with their own parents, before all that sugar kicks in.

Throwing your child a party doesn't need to be a nerve-wracking experience. In fact, it shouldn't be. You might feel a little on edge since you will have other peoples children to look out for, as well as your own, but there is no reason everyone can't have a great time. Including Mom and Dad. If you follow the 3 Golden Rules for throwing a children's birthday party, everyone will enjoy themselves, and you won't be left pulling your hair out.