Checklist for Children’s Party
3 Weeks Prior
Determine theme of party with child
Consult www.FamilyFun.com and The Penny Whistle Birthday Party Book by Meredith Brokaw and Annie Gilbar for ideas.
Other great sites include www.amazingmoms.com and www.birthdayinabox.com.
Consult Kids’ Party Games and Activities by Peggy Warner.
Determine guest list
Establish date, time, and place for party
Identify and hire helper (teens, teacher, professional)
Buy/create invitations:
Set up Gifts Received List:
Determine number of folding tables needed (for eating and/or activities)
- Borrow/purchase as necessary. A good source is www.OfficeDepot.com.
- Design layout for tables
- Determine rain back-up plan
1 Week Prior
Order Balloons (order and pick-up)
Select/design centerpieces
Purchase:
- Streamers/decorations
- Tablecloths (plastic/paper)
- Utensils (plastic)
- Plates
- Napkins
- Cups (if needed)
- Garbage bags
- Note: remove plastic from all so they are ready to use
Select cake (make or order and pick-up on day before)
Ice cream cakes are always a hit. See if you have a neighborhood
Carvel or
Baskin Robbins store.
Two great mail order sources are
Very Vera and
Piece of Cake.
Purchase:
- Candles, matches
- Ice cream
- Water bottles (number them with a marker)
- Juice/soda
- Bags of ice
- Coolers (to hold soda/water)
- Munchies
Set aside:
- Serving utensils
- Serving bowls/baskets
Rolls of paper towels for spills
- Blankets to spread out for children to sit on to eat and/or do crafts
Scavenger Hunt (always a hit with all ages):
Note that a Scavenger Hunt removes the need for Goody Bags since the guests are basically filling their own bag of take-home treats.
- Gift Bags with handles (beforehand, write guest names on bags to avoid confusion during and after the hunt)
- Items for hunt (A great source for items is Oriental Trading.)
Choose items based on the theme of the party. Some general ideas which are always well received include: Rubber bracelets, necklaces, washable tattoos, fun sunglasses, fancy rings, pencils, flashlights, chalk, bouncing balls, stuffed/plastic animals, yo-yos, stickers, snap bracelets, playing cards, candy, chocolate bars.
- Bowls/baskets for hiding items
- Write and test clues
Games (consult
Kids’ Party Games and Activities book or another game book):
Some games that are almost always a hit include relay races, bingo using M&Ms as markers, Pie-eating race, mummy wrap, charades, dress-up race, water balloon toss, water bucket relay fill, and an obstacle course.
- Directions (test them to make sure you can explain the rules easily)
- Find/buy items needed to play the games
- Find/buy prizes (A great source for medals/ribbons is Oriental Trading.)
- If possible, review games with helper (teens, teacher, professional)
Photographer:
- Identify/assign photographer job to friend/relative
- Buy film
- Charge camera/camcorder batteries
Day Before
- Make/pick-up cake
- Run through games
- Unwrap all paper/plastic products
- Make sure utensils, matches, and candles are all in place
- Set up tables
- Confirm that everything on the list has been done
- Put payments for any paid helpers in individually marked envelopes
- Store in handy spot so you’ll have them ready at the party
- Set up Gift Received List to help facilitate thank-you note writing. (Click here.)
Day of Party
- Pick-up balloons
- Ice down juice/soda/waters
- Decorate room/tables
- Put out munchies
- Have fun!
Week After
