A birthday party is undoubtedly a special occasion for parents and children. However, planning it can be very stressful. Here are some fun and hassle-free ideas for planning a birthday party for your precious angel.

Decide On A Theme

First, you need to pick a theme. Having a theme will help you plan everything more smoothly. Go for a simple theme. Good examples of children’s party themes include your toddler’s favorite cartoon character or superhero, pirate and forest theme for little boys while rainbow and princess theme for little girls. Let your little one tag along to the store and have your child pick out the decorations (e.g. the spoons, forks, plates, cups and party hats that match the theme). Do not spend too much on the decorations since they will be just thrown out afterwards.

Keep It Intimate

Too many strange faces may scare your little one, so keep your guest list short. Only invite a small number of people like your relatives, close friends and a few toddlers living in your neighbourhood.

Childproof The Area

Since there are other toddlers attending the party, make sure you take out furnitures, appliances or anything that can endanger the children’s safety. Have a safe play area where your toddler and the other kids can play freely.

Keep It Simple

When preparing a birthday party for your toddler, try not to go overboard. Remember, less is more especially when it comes to children. Use balloons, streamers, banners and ribbons to give your home a festive look. Do not forget to play children’s songs to keep the mood cheerful.

Also, it would be pointless to supply a lot of party food. Finger foods such as chips, a veggie or fruit platter, crackers, hotdogs, pizza, fish sticks and hamburgers as well as ice cream, soda and juice for refreshments are more than enough to feed your guests. Of course, do not forget to order a birthday cake that matches your theme. Having a “sweet station” where the kids can pick the sweets (e.g. candies, marshmallows, chocolate coins, sprinkles, etc.) they want to bring home is also a foolproof idea.

Pick Fun Games

No children’s party will ever be complete without games. But keep the games to a minimum since children have a very short attention span. 2 to 3 small games will do. Here are some fun party games for toddlers you can try:

• Traffic Lights
• Musical Chairs
• London Bridge
• Pair Them Up

Time It Right

Toddlers do not handle parties very well. To avoid a meltdown, make sure your toddler is well-rested. Schedule the birthday party around your toddler’s naptime, say 3 or 4 in the afternoon. In addition, keep the party short, an hour or two is enough to celebrate your toddler’s birthday.

Your toddler’s birthday is a wonderful event. So make sure to plan it well to ensure everyone will have a good time. Do not forget to charge your camera so you can record this momentous occasion and give the guests a souvenir to show your appreciation.