Hot topics for both consumers and webmarketers on WebmasterRadio.FM
Every Wednesday, 5PM Eastern.
Kids' Birthday Parties Tips
Five Rules of Thumb For Childrens Birthday Parties
To keep kids busy during childrens birthday parties, you don’t need to be a whiz at planning games and activities. Just having several well thought out birthday supplies on hand can help you keep kids busy and entertained. Try these ideas for childrens birthday parties:
Coloring posters give kids something fun to do and something to bring home.
Beads let kids be creative and make their own jewelry.
Let kids have a blast creating their own bobble head.
For flying buffs, bring out a glider kit for guests to make one of their own.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
CelebrateExpress.com Tip: Childrens Birthday Parties at the Beach
During summer months, childrens birthday parties at the beach are a great idea, especially if your beach is not in an overcrowded resort area. The kids can enjoy the weather and the parents can get enough exercise (keeping track of the kids) to skip workouts at the gym for a week. Although it certainly isn't an easy day for parents, it is less messy than cleaning up after an indoor birthday party.
When you send out invitations to the party, remind parents to bring plenty of towels, sunscreen and drinking water for all the attendees in their families.
If you are going to do a cook out, remember to bring all the necessary items, like lighters, charcoal briquettes and barbeque forks.
Don't forget beach balls, volleyballs and plenty of buckets and shovels. One of the best things about a birthday party at the beach is those sandcastle building contests you can hold.
Other fun activities include making mer-people by having kids sit in the sand and covering their legs with sand that has been shaped to look like a tail and collecting pretty shells and driftwood pieces. If you bring a folding table, shoeboxes and glue, the kids can glue their treasures onto the shoeboxes to make their own goodie boxes.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Kid Birthday: Suddenly They're a Teenager!
Teenage birthday parties are quite different than a young kid birthday party. While your teenager may be content to just call friends, their parents will probably appreciate a written invitation with your phone number and address along with an idea of when the party ends. As well, if party crashing is an issue in your town, consider noting that they must bring the invitation to get into the party. That will discourage uninvited guests from trying to intrude.
While your teenager may not want you to be a part of the party like you were when they were younger, make sure your child understands the rules and limitations and is willing to communicate and enforce those rules with their friends. You can help this by pointing out that if they do not handle this task, you will have to be there and that really won't be as much fun!
Most teenagers don't really want organized activities but are content to listen to music, watch movies, and talk. Make sure you are there to greet each guest as they arrive so they (and their parents) understand you will be there to supervise. Check in periodically throughout the party by offering snacks and such and stay unobtrusively within earshot.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
CelebrateExpress.com Tip: Childrens Party Supplies for a Spy Theme
Children who are spies have been featured in several recent movies, so it is no surprise that some children are hoping for a spy-themed birthday party. Luckily, there are childrens party supplies for almost any theme imaginable, so if your child is a Harriet the Spy in the making, you can make his or her dream come true.
Start with the traditional supplies for a party, like cups, plates, napkins, tablecloths and cake toppers. Fortunately, you can find all these items in a primary colored secret agent theme.
Once you have the basics, you'll want to shop for supplies for the goodie bags. Any good super spy has gadgets, handcuffs and plenty of disguises. Make sure you shop for fake mustaches and at least one gadget-y thing, even if it is just a ring or flower that squirts water. Kids can pretend that they've filled those gag gifts with sleeping gas or some sort of top-secret truth potion instead of water.
Don’t forget supplies for kids to play with during the party. Trench coats, cool hats and wigs are all great additions to a disguise box that the guests can use to help create a new look. Then, take a digital photo of each new disguise and print out super spy identification cards for the kids to take home.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Kids Birthday Party Supplies You Must Have
If you’re planning a children’s birthday party, you’re probably making a list of items you don’t want to do without on the day of the event. Some kids birthday party supplies are not only expected, they’ll make your life easier. We’ve put together a list of must have kids birthday party supplies to help with your planning.
Paper plates, cups, and utensils – Unless you’re planning a formal affair or really enjoy doing the dishes, disposable plates and utensils are convenient and also add to the party’s theme.
Favors – Don’t let your guests go home empty-handed. At children’s parties, favors are an excellent way of thanking even your youngest guests for coming.
Decorations – You don’t have to go overboard with streamers and balloons, but do set the festive mood with some sort of decorations.
Disposable plastic containers – When the party is over, send your guest home with the leftover food or pack some in the fridge for yourself.
Cleaning supplies and trash bags – It’s not glamorous, but it’s a necessary part of party throwing. Between the cake, food, and lots of little ones running around, you’re bound to have a mess or two. To make sure it’s temporary and not permanent, have your cleaning supplies and trash bags on hand to pick up the spills.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
CelebrateExpress.com Tip: Have a Space-Theme Kids' Birthday Party
If your little guy spends more time staring at the stars than the world around him, you may want to throw a party with a starry theme. Children’s party supplies for a space theme are available in several designs, from astronauts to Star Wars. Besides buying themed plates, napkins, banners and party hats, there are many other things you can do to create a party that is out of this world.
One great decorating idea for kids birthday parties with a space theme is to borrow a projector and a DVD about space. Project the DVD movie onto the wall or ceiling. Have the children pick out different constellations. You can set up an activity where you offer a reward to children who find five or more of the constellations you call out.
Another good activity for this type of party is making rockets out of recycled materials. They may not work, but they're still plenty of fun to put together.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Kid Birthday Party: Guess the Number
A good way to start out a kid birthday party is to a large see-through container or jar filled with small items or candies. Have each child guess how many items are in the jar as they arrive. They can write their guess and their name on a slip of paper and drop it into a nearby shoe box with a slit cut out of the top so the guesses remain private. At the end of the party, whoever has the closest guess gets to take home the jar as their prize! You can fill the jar or container with candy, small toys, marbles, beads, or other small items. Make sure you count the items before the party and hide the answer somewhere so you don't forget!
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
CelebrateExpress.com Tip: Kids Birthday Party Game
Kids love to play detective just as much as adults do, so why not create a child friendly version of the popular murder mystery party game? This kids birthday party game should be just as filled with funny characters and red herrings as an adult party, but should have a less tragic crime to solve. Instead of murder, the crime should be something like stolen cookies or a missing puppy.
Write out scenes that an older sibling and friends can practice ahead of time and then act out during the party or select a few of the birthday guests and have another adult coach them for fifteen or so minutes before they start the game.
Remember, kids can be quite good at figuring out puzzles, so you don't want to make the answer too easy. However, you want to be sure there are plenty of clues for them to find. As the game continues and no one has solved the crime, clues should become more and more obvious.
You may want to have the kids write down their answers instead of shouting them out, so that all the kids that are right can get a special prize. If some of the children are younger than others, encourage them to work as teams.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Kid Party: Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a fun activity for a kid birthday. Depending on the age of the kids, you may limit the hunt to your yard or home. Older kids will enjoy going around the neighborhood but make sure you have one adult with each group and set some clear boundaries about where they may and may not go. It's a nice touch to alert the neighbors ahead of time if you're going to be doing this.
Divide the kids into teams and give each team the list of items. The lists should be identical for each team to make it fair. Set a time limit for the game of 15-30 minutes. The team that collects the most items in the allotted time wins. Make sure your list of items include things that are easily found and that people are willing to give away, such as an old newspaper or magazine, a rubber band, and a flower.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Kid Birthday Party Ideas To Prevent Meltdowns
With so many new faces, activities, and situations to consider, a birthday party for kids is bound to have a meltdown or two. Read our list of kid birthday party ideas to prevent meltdowns from happening. This list of kid birthday party ideas, will not only keep kids in a good mood during the festivities but will help make your job as host, stress free.
1. Keep parents involved. Let parents of younger children know ahead of time what food, games, and activities will be involved so they can plan accordingly. 2. Don’t go over-the-top with activities. Kids have a lot of energy, but they need down time too. Don’t stress yourself out and the members of the party by trying to squeeze in too much entertainment. 3. Know when to call it quits. All good parties must come to an end. With children’s parties, sooner is better than later. It’s better that everyone goes home happy, than stays tired and cranky. 4. Have enough for everyone. Make sure you have enough favors, drinks, and food to pass out and feed everyone with. Hungry bellies means irritable children and not enough favors means hurt feelings.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Kid Party: Food Ideas
Looking for child birthday party advice on food? As a kid, a party means great food and lots of treats. Plan the food so that the kids don't get cranky from too many treats. Put out some healthy foods as well, but make them fun. Cut up fruit on a stick (if the children are old enough) makes it more fun to eat. Make sure you provide lots to drink, especially for an outdoor party where the kids are doing a lot of things. Water and fruit juice for younger kids are fine and a limited amount of soda if you allow it for the older kids.
For a kid, party food generally includes cake and ice cream but don't feel like you're stuck with that if you're kids don't like cake, for example. Consider having a sundae bar instead of cake, where each child can create their own sundaes. You can also make a pie instead of a cake if your children like that better. Whatever you make, try to have plenty of food--but not too much. Estimate how much each guest will eat and then add a little extra.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Five Rules of Thumb For Childrens Birthday Parties
Childrens birthday parties give kids the opportunity to celebrate and have a good time. However, to keep childrens birthday parties running smoothly, there are some simple rules to keep in mind.
1. Keep the party short. For babies, limit the activities to an hour and a half and keep in mind nap schedules. For younger children, two to three hours should be enough time to for a party without having guests running on low fumes. 2. Have enough adults on hand. Don’t have a guest list full of children and plan on running the party all by yourself. 3. Plan simple meals. Though your recipe for bruschetta with caponata might impress your neighbors, kids just want easy, tasty foods like pizza, spaghetti, and fried chicken. 4. Keep the kids occupied. Planned activities, games, and fun favors and toys will keep the party momentum going. 5. Safety proof the venue beforehand. Whether you’re planning the party at home or at another location, remember this rule of thumb – safety first. Go through and check there are no dangerous items or electrical areas. Lock away any items you don’t want kids to get their hands on.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Throw A Spiderman Birthday Party
If you have a child who is a fan of the web-spinning superhero Spiderman, you’ve got a lot of party planning options. This ever popular wall-scaling crime fighter comes with a built-in supply of party products. Our guide to a Spiderman birthday party that’s sure to be a blast will simplify the process for you.
Theme colors: Red, Blue, and Black
Decorations: Red, blue, and back balloons
Spiderman Mylar balloon
Red and blue streamers
White tablecloth covered with black spiders
Spiderman posters
Games/Activities:
Spiderman Web Bean Bag Toss – Turn a basketball net into a spider web by securing the opening with string to a fixed surface, like a plastic laundry basket. Have bean bags on hand and have the kids try to toss the bean bags through the opening.
Green Goblin Goo – Give kids their own version of Green Goblin Goo by making playdough. Here’s the recipe:
1 cup of flour
1/2 cup of salt
1 teaspoon of cream of tartar
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon of cooking oil
1 cup of water
Green food coloring
Mix ingredients into a saucepan.
Cook over medium heat for five minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat.
Allow to cool.
Favors:
For Spiderman birthday party favors, consider putting together a favor box with a small Spiderman figurine, stickers, and activity book.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Kid Birthday Party: Don't Forget the Hats
For your kid birthday, party hats for everyone makes a festive occasion. You can make all kinds of paper hats ahead of time and then let the kids choose one to decorate. Have stickers, crayons, markers, feathers, glitter, and glue around for decoration. If you have an outside table to do this activity on, you can relax a bit about the mess and let the kids enjoy themselves.
You might have a few hats pre-decorated to give them some ideas or in case someone's hat gets damaged during the decorating. Paper firefighter hats, rabbit ears, and crowns can be adapted to fit just about any party theme. Or just make a variety of different hats and don't worry about a theme. Even a first birthday can be celebrated with hats, although you might want to skip the decorating step!
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Kids Birthday Parties If You Want To Splurge
So you have a hefty budget for your child’s birthday party and you’d like to plan an all-out extravaganza. Where do you spend your funds? If you’d like some ideas on kids birthday parties when money is of little concern, take a look at our suggestions:
Aquarium Adventure – If your child is a fan of the underwater world, bring everyone to a birthday adventure at the aquarium. Rent out the facility and have food and cake surrounded by coral reefs, stingrays, and exotic fish.
Star of the Show – Have your child be the star of the show and your guests will be cast members. For these kids birthday parties, guests get to write, film, and act in their own movie – then watch it on the big screen. Find a company which specializes in these workshop productions and have them tailor an event just for your party.
Carnival Fun – For kids birthday parties with a lot of younger guests, rent your own carnival, complete with moon bounce, pony rides, inflatable slides, and arcade games. Add activities like face painting, fortune telling, and balloon twisting.
Railroad Birthday – Rent a train, have catered food, add live entertainment, and you can have a mobile party for kids on a train. As a special treat, your birthday guest of honor can spend some time riding with the conductor. Go old-fashioned with a steam engine train or choose a modern version instead.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Kid Birthday Party Games
Picking age appropriate games is important for the success of your kid and birthday party. You don't want to frustrate younger kids by playing advanced games. Nor do you wan to bore the older kids with games that are too easy or simple. Want some great child birthday party advice?
Toddlers can enjoy Duck Duck Goose, Simon Says, Musical Chairs, Red Rover, and Mother May I. Older elementary school kids like treasure hunts, races, balloon games, and blind man's bluff. Middle schoolers can play Who Am I, 20 Questions, and active games like a three-legged race or water balloon toss if your party is outside.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Kids Birthday Party Decoration For The Outdoors
If you’re having an outdoor kids birthday party, you’ll have to think about creating an atmosphere that’ll work with the open surroundings. We’ve got some ideas that’ll be a hit at your next kids birthday party, whether it’s at the park or your own backyard.
Pinwheel centerpieces – If you’re throwing a party outside, why not make use of the cooling breeze? Take a colorful pinwheel and insert it into a small pot filled shredded colored paper.
Barnyard Décor – Start with a red and white, checkered tablecloth and then scatter pieces of hay. For the barn centerpiece, use a large rectangular box and paint it red. Use white tape for the trim. For the roof, use two pieces of poster board and match the length to the box. Paint it red and allow it to dry. Attach the roof with white tape and you have a complete barnyard décor for your outdoor kids birthday party.
Outdoor Adventure – The great outdoors is just a stone’s throw away when you turn your backyard into a make-believe outdoor expedition. Create a wildlife crossing sign out of bright yellow heavy stock paper and black tape. Pick an animal and using black construction paper, cut out the animal’s image. Complete the outdoor decoration by using heavy brown paper to create a cave-like wall surface. Give the kids markers and let them draw their own petroglyphs.
