Party Tips to Make a Child "Star for the Day"

A party can take your child into a world of fun and fantasy where the birthday boy or girl is the star for one memorable day. With just a little thought and planning, a themed party can be as easy for adults as it is exciting for children.
Selecting a Theme

    * Choose a theme that fits the child's age, interests and personality — sports, clowns, teddy bears or popular licensed characters such as Barbie, Disney Princess, Star Wars, Blue's Clues, Harry Potter, Batman, Thomas the Train or Power Rangers

    * Let the birthday boy or girl help select the party theme — the child is the best judge of what his or her friends will like

Decorating Ideas

Exaggerating the theme can intensify the atmosphere — everything should accent it. Transform an entire room!

    * Cluster huge bunches of balloons and drape ceilings and walls with streamers that pick up the theme colors or feature theme icons.

    * Pick refreshments that reflect the theme

    * Select patterns for centerpieces, wall decorations, party hats, treat sacks, confetti, streamers, blow-outs, table covers, mobiles, etc. that match the invitations and thank-you notes. Party collections for young children even offer birthday bibs. Some patterns offer activities, favors, masks, party cameras and memory books.

    * Whether for home, park or other special area, it's easy to get everything to complete the theme and take it along. Most items are disposable or take-alongs, so clean-up is easy.

Simple Tips to Make Party Time Fun for Everyone:

    * A surprise guest can be fun and entertaining. An older relative or high school student might come as a clown, a sports figure, a safari guide, a princess, an umpire, a Power Ranger, Barbie, etc. to lead games, help with refreshments and hand out treats.

    * Stick with one theme

    * Keep refreshments simple, but give them fancy names. For example, a baseball theme lends itself to "home-run hot-dogs" and "pop-fly popcorn," where a magic theme calls for "celestial cupcakes with star dust sparkles" and "magic pink lemonade."

    * Use place cards for young children to avoid disputes over who sits where. They enhance the theme and they are a memento to take home.

    * Have an activity for children to do while waiting for others to arrive (decorate treat bags, make place cards, or have photos taken, for example)

    * Pick a time least likely to conflict with family and school schedules and activities
    * Keep games simple. Wrap prizes in themed gift wrap

    * Give your child the gift of tradition by singing "Happy Birthday," making a wish when candles are blown out and displaying birthday cards.

    * Take photos or videotape the party. Snapshots inserted into card photo holders make great gift thank-you notes and help teach your child good communication habits.

    * A simple, colorful drawing of a character on corrugate or foam-core can be created and a circle cut out for a face. Let children stand behind and poke their faces through as they arrive at the party. Take a Polaroid photo that can be put in a photo-holder card and given as a party favor or used to designate seating.

Courtesy of buzzle.com