Cincinnati Magician Charlie Cadabra

12 Secrets To Make Your Child's Birthday Party Sparkle!

The following 12 ideas are distilled from the scores of birthday parties and family gatherings I’ve attended over the years. I have tried to make this as useful to everyone as possible without going into too much detail. If you have ANY questions or if I can be of service to you, please call me.

Give him or her a chance to provide as much input into the party planning as possible. Then, when the party finally starts, they won’t be disappointed or feel like they missed out. Don’t make the mistake of asking them what they want! Unless, of course, you do have room for that Pony in your backyard! If they are younger, then start out with a list of ideas that you created based on their interests. If they are older, then let them come up with a list of ideas to discuss. Brainstorm a list of ideas to choose from so you aren’t forced into a corner.

You can’t always meet every need or request, which is perfectly okay! When they do have a request that can’t be met, help him or her to identify alternatives that fit within your constraints. Then, help them choose an alternative they will still enjoy.

TIP: Include the birthday boy or girl in as many of the planning activities as possible and start planning as early as possible. After all, you know when their next birthday is coming!

There are many variables involved, including the location of the party, if the birthday party will be a family or neighborhood gathering, if a school class or church group is invited or if it’s only for play-friends.

In most schools if you send the invitations to school through the kids' backpack you will need to invite all the kids in the class.

If other parents or adults are going to be available to help or if you have entertainment and events to fill in the time, then you can invite a larger number of children. Typically family or neighborhood gatherings can be larger than the “drop off” parties.

Which brings us to the next question ... How many will show up? Generally if the party is for family, neighborhoods where everyone knows everyone or play-friends, a higher percentage will attend. Invitations for entire school classes will generally get a little more than half of them attend.

TIP: In general, invite 1-2 children to the birthday party for each year the birthday child is old. For example, if the children attending are ages 4-5, invite no more than 8 to the party. If the children attending are 6-8, limit the number to 12. If the children are 9-12, limit the number to 20. In other words, don’t invite all 50 children from school for a 6-year olds party.

In addition to having the party at home, birthday parties can be at churches, restaurants, banquet and reception halls, “game” rooms such as Dave & Buster’s or Game Works, libraries, YMCAs, Country Clubs, community rooms, public parks, amusement parks, swimming pools, hotels, skating rinks, bowling centers, gymnastic centers, and so forth.

By their very nature, some locations “split up” the children so they are not interacting with each other, such as game rooms, amusement parks, swimming parties, skating parties and so forth. In these situations, it is best to only invite a few play-friends so they can interact with each other at the location. Otherwise, you will have only paid the children’s entrance fee to the location with the only interacting when eating or singing “Happy Birthday”.

My experience is that the most memorable birthday parties for the birthday party child are at a location where they are able to interact with their guests. Yes, it can be more convenient to take all of the children somewhere like Chuck E. Cheese’s, but these locations do not create the memories that will last a lifetime for the birthday child. The exception is if you are planning an overnight party at a hotel, YMCA or other location where there are late night activities to keep them entertained.

TIP: You will frequently pay for an outside location through the cost of the food provided. Not one of the children is going to go home talking about the great food at the party! (Keep in mind that’s also true for most adult parties and banquets!)

There are two key variables to consider when deciding which day and time - the location and the children’s ages. An overnight party will need to be on the weekend or a holiday. Parties outside of the home depend on when the location is available. To avoid some possible conflicts, avoid the normal birthday party time of Saturday from 1:00 – 3:00 and 2:00 – 4:00. After all, that’s when everyone else is also trying to plan their children’s birthday party.

The children’s ages normally also dictate which activities are taking up part of their free time. Soccer, baseball, lessons, gymnastics, Karate, competitions and so forth are part of most children’s routines. And we think we are busy! It will probably be impossible to schedule around every possible activity, but some times are better than others.

TIP: Saturdays starting around 3:00 tend to have fewer conflicts because most of the children’s activities are after school, Saturday morning and early afternoon. And don’t forget about Sunday afternoons, where fewer activities for children are scheduled. Just remember that some people may not get back home from church until 1:00.

Okay, the party is planned. Now you need to get everyone to the party. Again, include the birthday child in the planning. Have them pick out the cards and fill in the blanks.

Better yet, design the invitations around the theme of the party! Many computers have software that is capable of making cards thanks to printer companies! Frequently you can get free software to make greeting cards included with the greeting card paper.

The internet is loaded with possible pictures or cutouts. Your child could draw something and then scan it in or take it to an office supply store or printer to make copies.

TIP: Be sure you have included the who, what, when, where and R.S.V.P. phone number and R.S.V.P. cut-off date!

One of the biggest problems that accompany a birthday party is getting the guests to arrive on time. Here are some tips to get them there when you want them there!

The most memorable birthday parties have a specific theme. It’s easy to find plates, cups and napkins that match any theme. Theme party needs to also have decorations such as balloons, streamers, wall and table displays, even the snacks and cake.

Having trouble coming up with a theme for your party? You don’t have to go with a “commercial” theme based on a toy or TV show. It may be hard to find decorations or activities that tie into the show or toy. For example, it would be better to have an animal theme than a “Barney” theme.

Themes can be: Bungle in the Jungle, Dress Up, 'I’m Blue” (everything is colored blue), Karaoke or sing along, All Girls Night or All Boys Night, Pirate, Carnival or Circus, Sport Theme, Aliens, Bugs, Western, Hawaiian or Tropical, Mardi Gras, or my favorite - It’s Magic! Basically, any “profession” like fireman, policeman, rock star, fashion model, or sports hero can be made into a party theme.

Check some books in the library on parties or the nearest party supplies store for other ideas.

TIP: Avoid a holiday theme, such as Christmas, unless the birthday boy or girl has suggested this as a theme. You don’t want to tie their birthday to a holiday.

How can you make it LOOK like there’s a party going on? DECORATE!! Here are some great decorating ideas to “party-up” your house:

Balloons. Not only can they serve as a party decoration, but as party favors or for games too. Have a HUGE bunch of balloons and as the kids leave, give each of them one (or two!). Kids love them and it’s a great way to get them out of your house at the end of the party. You can either blow them up yourself with air, purchase them already inflated with helium from a local florist or party shop or call your local rental store and ask about a helium tank and inflate them yourself.

Streamers. Let’s not underestimate the power of crepe paper! Can you think of any better way to say “Here’s the Party!”?

Theme decorations. The party supply store has wall and table decorations for almost any theme you can imagine. Just don’t overdo the decorating!

Street Sign. Have a sign that says “Here’s the Party!”. Especially if your house (or wherever the party is being held) is hard to get to. Tie Balloons to street signs to guide the way.

TIP: Go with the theme. Whatever theme you choose, scour your house and find anything that fits that theme and bring it out. Have the birthday child help make some of the decorations and turn it into a craft project when they are bored or stuck indoors.

One of the best ways to make sure your child’s party is a big success is to hire professional entertainment. Remember, as a rule, professional entertainers perform dozens, and yes, maybe even hundreds of shows a year. What better way to assure success than to hire someone who actually performs frequently? You’ll be amazed at what a BIG feel having a professional entertainer at your party will make. Here are a few suggestions of types of entertainers to hire: Magician (my favorite!), Clown, Juggler, Balloon Twister, Puppeteer, Ventriloquist and so forth.

Try to book your entertainer as far in advance as possible. 99% of all birthday parties will be on a weekend or in the evening.

TIP: Make sure the entertainer has a show that is age appropriate! One “children’s” show does not always work across all ages. A show that is appropriate for 4-6 year old children will flop for 9-12 year olds. A professional, experienced performer should have different shows depending on the target age group for the birthday party.

This is easy to do — just take LOTS of pictures. And if you have a Polaroid or a digital camera (and a color printer), here’s a great gift idea to give each of the party goers: Take a photo of each guest with the birthday child. At the bottom of the photo write with marker their names and the date of the party. If you want to go one step further, you can make little “badges” out of construction paper and tape or glue the photo in it.

Videotaping is also a great way to relive your party memories. If you don’t have a camcorder, ask a rental place — many rental companies rent camcorders. Remember to use a tripod to keep it steady and make sure the battery is charged so you’re not tethered to an electrical cord.

TIP: If you do hire a performer, be sure they will allow you to videotape the show before booking them.

The simple truth is that no matter what ages the children are at the birthday party, they must be kept entertained by the hosts or birthday child the entire length of the party. My recommendation is to keep the party length at two hours. There are obvious exceptions like an overnight party or if there is a performer with a workshop.

A basic schedule that has consistently worked well is to start off the party with some party games. There are library books filled with games that can be used as a resource. This is a perfect place for the birthday child to make suggestions before the party. Avoid games that can only be played by one or two children at a time, such as video games, ping pong, air hockey, foosball and so forth. Instead have games that require everyone to participate or take turns.

Follow this by the “main event.” If you have a performer, this is where they would perform. If you are at a “game” room type location, this is the time to cut them lose to play games.

Next, light the candles, sing “Happy Birthday”, and eat the cake. This avoids a “sugar-high” that can cause problems for some children.

Finally, have the birthday boy or girl open the birthday presents. This keeps the presents from being played with and parts ending up lost or broken before the end of the party. A digital camera with pictures of each present with the gift giver will make it easier later to remember who gave each present for those dreaded “Thank You” notes!

TIP: The overall time line for the party should be:
30-45 minutes - games
30-60 minutes - performer or other “theme” activity
15-20 minutes - cake and ice cream
10-15 minutes - open presents