Summer is a fantastic time for kids’ birthday parties with the warmer weather and school holidays. Planning a party that will delight kids without being too stressful for parents can be tricky. Follow these top tips for throwing a memorable summer birthday bash.
Once you’ve confirmed the date with your child, send out invitations 4-6 weeks in advance. Give guests plenty of notice and ask for RSVPs 1-2 weeks beforehand so you know numbers for food, activities etc. For primary school ages, inviting the whole class is typical so nobody feels left out. If you have children in long-term foster care, they may have many local friends, so try to include all of them.
Summer garden parties can be idyllic if the weather complies! Local parks often have picnic areas you can reserve. Another option is booking an outdoor activity centre for sports, inflatables and games. Have a wet weather backup plan like moving the party indoors or under a gazebo. If you will be hosting at home, make sure your garden is tidy and set up seating, tables and decorations in your chosen area.
BBQ fare like burgers, hot dogs and sausages always goes down well. Set up a DIY topping station with burger buns, grated cheese, salad items and condiments. Provide snacks like crisps, vegetable sticks and fruit skewers. For drinks, jugs of summery cocktails like lemonade and fruit juice with chopped fruit are ideal for kids. Adults will enjoy a Pimm's or beer too!
Outdoor games like volleyball, croquet and tug of war are great for burning off energy. Treasure hunts exploring the garden work well too. For younger kids, set up activities like face painting, arts and crafts, or a bouncy castle. You could also organise relay races, egg and spoon races or a limbo competition. Party bags containing small toys, sweets and sticker books make fun take-home gifts.
Ask your child what cake they would like – themes like pirates, fairies and superheroes are always popular. Cupcakes are great for portion control and easy for kids to decorate themselves. Balloons, bunting and props related to the theme add to the atmosphere. For extra entertainment, you could get a magician or face painter.
Children’s parties can blow the budget but there are savings to be made. Making your own basic party food is much cheaper than an external caterer. Get decorations from bargain stores and reuse them year after year. For entertainment, create your own games and activities rather than hiring expensive professionals. And agree a budget with your child for the party bags.
Don’t stress about making everything perfect. The most important thing is that your child feels special on the day. Focus on the key elements that matter most to them and don’t fret about minor details. Share tasks with your partner and accept offers of help from family members to make your life easier! Most of all, embrace the magic of summertime and create some wonderful memories together.
