Plan Your Childrens Birthday Party

All mums are busy mums, so use this party planning checklist to ensure you don't forget anything, Print this list.

4 - 5 Weeks before the Birthday Party

Decide on the date, time and a location for the party, if a venue is required check the availability. The average childs birthday party lasts around two hours long.
Make a list of all the guests to be invited, include relatives, classmates, neighbours' children and your friends children. The more kids the better the party. Honest! Enlist several adults to help the party run smoothly.
If you would like an entertainer to attend your party, for example a clown or a magician, book them now. This also applies for bouncy castle and such like.

Decide on what games and activities you would like to play.
Shop for all your essential party supplies, for example: party bags, fillers (or Lookie Boxes!!), decorations and prizes.
Plan what food you would like to serve, stick to familier favourites to ensure
they all eat well.

If you are not baking a cake yourself, order one now.
Call any guests that have not responded to the invites.
Make sure you have a selection of suitable music to play at the party.
Try out any party games that you are not familier with.
You did remember to buy your child a bithday present, did'nt you?
Decide on the schedule for the party, including the order of the activities and games and when you would like to serve the food.

Buy all the food for the party.
Bake or pick up the cake.
Make sure you have the correct amount of candles along with some safety matches.
Make sure the batteries are chaged for your camera and that you have film for the camcorder.
Collate all your party bag fillers and put them into all your party bags (unless you've purchased Lookie Boxes as these are all done for you)
Prepare any food that can be done a day in advance
If necessary call the entertainer to make sure they can still come as planned.
Prepare any crafts and activities
Decorate the indoor areas where the party will take place.

Decorate any outdoor areas
Prepare the remainer of the food around 1 - 2 hours before the party
Set and decorate the table
Put the candles in the cake and make sure you know where the matches are.
Set up and prepare activities and have prizes close by.
Make sure you write down who gave which present, this is essential for the thank you notes.
Remember to take lots of photographs and always have that camcorder to hand