Planning Your Child's Birthday Party: 4 Mistakes to Avoid

Simple is Best!

Dan Reveal
Although you may be regarded as an expert when it comes to planning parties for adults, there are still other details you should be aware of when it comes to planning your child's birthday party.

That is, by learning to avoid certain mistakes, you'll hopefully be able to plan a child's birthday party that everyone will remember fondly.

Mistake #1 Being Competitive

The most simple child's birthday party can also be the most memorable one. This means that you shouldn't plan your child's birthday party as a way of competing with other parents in terms of expense or time-consuming effort.

Just because your neighbor's birthday party included a three ring circus, for example, you shouldn't feel obligated to return the favor.

Mistake #2 Having the Party at the Wrong Time of Day

It is no surprise that small children have high levels of energy. With this in mind, however, it is important to plan your child's birthday party at a time which makes the most use of this energy.

Small children get up early, but then also take naps and go to bed early. If you plan your child's birthday party too late in the day, these children might not be able to enjoy themselves as much.

Mistake #3 Paying Too Much Attention to Detail

You may be an expert at planning parties for adults, right down to the appetizers and other nicely furnished food.

This attention to detail would be a mistake at a child's birthday party, however. This is because children are too busy running and having fun to want to sit through some elegantly prepared meal.

Again, the most simple child's birthday party can also be the most memorable one.

Mistake #4 Inviting the Wrong Children

It is easy to think of a child's birthday party as a great celebratory event where you will want everyone to be invited.

Wouldn't this be a mistake in view of the small and shy child? Your child is already going to feel at the center of attention, so inviting unfamiliar children from the neighborhood would only increase your child's shyness.

To avoid this mistake, simply ask your child which friends should be invited. Planning the best child's birthday party means to let your child have some control over the situation.

In sum, by learning to avoid certain mistakes, you'll be able to plan a child's birthday party that everyone will remember fondly for a long time to come.



Published by Dan Reveal

Come walk with me. I'll share my umbrella.  View profile

12 Comments

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  • Michele Starkey5/23/2011

    Thankfully, our children are all grown and "party" their own ways now :) cheers

  • Lori Gunn5/17/2011

    awesome writing:) excellent ideas.

  • Melissa Matters5/16/2011

    Children's birthday parties seem so complicated. I agree to keep it simple. =)

  • Cindy Lynn5/16/2011

    Good advice, Dan.

  • Delicia Powers5/16/2011

    Thoughtful advice Dan!

  • Crystal Ray5/15/2011

    Very, very good advice! I gave up on b-day parties for my daughter. Unfortunately the kids were so badly behaved last year that I swore I'd never do it again. It's sad but true, and they were only going on eight at the time. Their parents were just as bad because only one parent even bothered to send a reply. Etiquette is at an all-time low, and kids are learning from observing their parents.

  • Mike Powers5/15/2011

    Outstanding advice, thanks!

  • leroy coffie5/15/2011

    very good

  • Trisha Hodges5/15/2011

    Good points, thanks for sharing.

  • Jack Wellman5/15/2011

    Superbly done my friend, as always. Your advice is always A #1.

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