The first thing to decide is whether you're going to have the party at home or not. If you're confident with kids, having the party at home means that you can keep the costs under your control, but you might not want the hassle of cleaning up all the mess and potential breakages after the party. If you choose to use party venue, one of the easiest things to set up for all childrens parties is an indoor play centre. These are excellent areas to keep all of the kids entertained, while allowing them the freedom to do what they want. Additional activities you could set up in a play centre party could include things like a face painting, pottery painting, finger painting, drawing and a variety of other crafts. The play centre doesn't have to be a huge area, in fact a few tables arranged so you could stand in the middle of them all and keep your eye on each child would be ideal. The children will enjoy these crafts and activities, which should take a lot of pressure off of you to keep them entertained on your own.
Other children's party ideas could include reading a book, or story-time. As long as this comes closer to the end or at least after a few other activities at your kid's party, the kids should settle down to enjoy the story. Be sure to provide blankets and pillows as well and you might be surprised how quickly things calm down. You may even lose some of them to sleep. This idea is significantly easier and less messy than 'paint your own pottery.'
Weather permitting, don't be afraid to take the kids outside. Children have wonderful imaginations and can often come up with their own games and will play for long periods of time without any help from adults. Also outdoor children's parties make it easier to clean up and don't take such a toll on your house. Please be sure that you have a yard or an area that is fenced in however. You don't want to be losing any of your kids.
Children's parties don't have to be stressful and planning out several ideas before the big day will make the day much easier. Ideas stretching from simply being outside to cinema parties or swimming pool parties are great plans. Even combining several suggestions, like painting and reading outside, make children's parties memorable. So don't put all of the kids on a strict, detailed schedule of activities and allow their minds entertain themselves.
Scott Reed is a dad who recently organised a children's party for his son. Visit his website for more information.