Don't Let The Participants Take Control
by Dianne
(Florida)
When playing games be sure you control the types of items that kids bring or play with. One time we had a game with squirt guns, one kid brought a bazooka and everyone just got soaked.
Calming the Crowd Game Tip
by Heather
(Dover, Ohio USA)
Before beginning any games, review with the kids a way in which you will get their attention. This will really help with transitions to new games and activities. It will also give you a way to help them refocus if things get too silly. For example, you might call out a nursery rhyme, song lyrics, play a song, instrument, clap a beat, etc.
Play With The Kids
by Kenna
If you are a younger adult or a teen, then the kids really look up to you. You don't have to go crazy and make it so you can't win, but make sure that you don't win more than a couple of games. You are their role model. If you can, invite someone who is a little older than the kids so that they can model good behavior. It takes a lot off of your chest and allows the kids to feel "bigger" if they are playing with older kids.
Ask For Help
by Heather
(Ohio)
I have 4 kids, including one set of twins (who always get bigger parties than the other two) and have put on 16 birthday parties. I have learned that you need at LEAST 3 adults to have a successful birthday. One person is facilitating the activity, one is preparing for the next activity, and one is taking pictures and video (and writing who the gifts are from).
All of the adults should know everything about the whole party though, so they can fill in as needed.
Try not to have the parent of the clingy kids help - their job might not get done because their kids are just clinging on to them too much.
Make sure they are thanked very graciously!
Get Help and Have a Whistle Game Time Tip
by Don C.
(San Juan Capistrano, Ca)
I have a 10 year old girl and have most of her parties at home the old fashion way. But when it comes to crowd control, it is like rounding up cats! Get some help, even just one or two assistant adults is a big help and have a whistle.
Make A Clear List
by Heather
(Ohio)
After I pick all my games and schedule, I make a LIST of the names in a huge, easy to read font, and hang it where all the adult helpers can see it.
I also email the list and the instructions for the games and how I want everything to run to all the parents I know are staying or any helpers.
So on the party day, we can see the name of the game, and play in order. Nothing gets forgotten, every one knows what to help with, and when fires need to be put out (because there are always things that come up) you can deal with it and the party can go on!
Kids Can Help Too Party Tip
by Anonymous
I am 13 years old and i recently helped my mum with my baby brothers 5th birthday. I invited my friend and my other brother (12) and his friend helped as well. The only adults were my mum and dad and they were mostly in the kitchen preparing the food and baking the cake so it was fresh. Although it was a challenge to pull off at the end of the party all the kids said it was great! Someone did the face painting, someone did the games, someone set up the next game, someone packed up the previous game, and after the face painting that person was a judge and an entertainer for the kids that got out in certain games.
Although this method didn't work the whole party it worked for most of it and no child ever complained or argued. We might have been lucky or we might have just planned it well, I'm not sure.
So remember that if you need help and adults can't make it or you don't want to ask, older kids work as good as parents and I think it makes the party guests more relaxed because we are kids as well, just older so they do listen to us but we don't have the image that they have for their parents. If that makes sense. We enjoy it as much as they do and you don't really need to repay us except for some cake and lollies.
Relax Time For the Kids
by Maria
(Goodwill)
Give the kids a bit of time to have free play at the end of games because this will allow them to be free, some kids don't like too many rules. To make sure each and every one of them has a good time... Give them some space and relaxing time!!
Get Someone-else to Take Photos Party Tip
by Marie C.
(Spofforth, North Yorkshire, England)
As lead game organizer you cannot run the games, deal with kids, photograph the event and sit back and enjoy the event. Unless you have a willing children's entertainer you will be in charge of running the games. You have no chance to sit back and enjoy so get someone else to photograph the event.
Modern digital cameras can take hundreds of photos at no cost and with a dedicated photographer you're more likely to get some great shots which will allow you to sit back and enjoy the event after it has all finished. They build memories to last a lifetime and enable personal thank you cards to be sent.
Get Adult Help - Party Survival Tip
by Marie C.
(Spofforth, North Yorkshire, England)
Rope in as much adult help as possible. Whether their role is to keep watching adults happy in the background with drinks, take the child to the toilet, take photos, turn the music on and off, an extra pair of hands is invaluable.
