| Your child's birthday party is approaching and you | | | | bag) filled with a shovel, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, or |
| want it to be special. Following is a checklist of items to | | | | other activities for a summertime party. |
| consider when planning your child's birthday party. | | | | 1 to 2 Weeks before the Birthday Party |
| 4 Weeks before the Birthday Party | | | | - Buy the magical birthday present for your child! |
| - Select the date, time and location of the birthday | | | | - Buy the party supplies, decorations and favors. |
| party. | | | | - Order the birthday cake (unless you plan to make it |
| - Get the birthday child involved by letting them pick out | | | | yourself) and the helium balloons. |
| the theme. Themes can range from a favorite | | | | 1 to 2 Days before the Birthday Party |
| character to their favorite place (e.g. a pool, bouncy | | | | - Pinpoint an exact guest count by calling those who |
| house, or park) or time of year (e.g. a summertime luau | | | | have not responded. |
| theme for a winter party). | | | | - Prepare the party food. |
| 3 Weeks before the Birthday Party | | | | - Decorate the area and prepare for any activities and |
| - Create the guest list. | | | | games. |
| - Determine if you will need to arrange for party | | | | - Pick up the cake, helium balloons and any last minute |
| helpers based on the size of the guest list. | | | | supplies. |
| - Mail the invitations. | | | | The Day of the Birthday Party |
| - Plan the party activities, such as a scavenger hunt or | | | | - Set out the food, plates, napkins, juice boxes, etc., or |
| a piñata where it's easy for everyone to join in | | | | order the food, such as pizza, as appropriate. |
| on the fun. | | | | - Place your present for the birthday child in an area to |
| - Think about decorations. Consider a welcome sign | | | | serve as a precedent for where guests should drop |
| and colored streamers. This is a great activity for the | | | | off presents. |
| birthday child to help with the night before the party. | | | | - Set the bags in a spot where you will remember to |
| - Plan the menu. Will it be held at a time where you will | | | | hand them out to guests when the party is over. |
| need to serve pizza or chicken fingers for lunch, for | | | | - Make sure your camera is accessible! If you feel you |
| example? Or, will it be held during a time where a | | | | will be busy managing food and activities, assign a |
| snack may be required? Are you hosting the party | | | | trusted friend or family member to snap photos of the |
| off-site? If so, does the facility have special | | | | party or videotape it. |
| requirements regarding food? | | | | Above all, remember that this event is being held to |
| - Determine the party favors. Character-themed bags | | | | celebrate your child. Don't worry if you end up one |
| are a nice addition to a themed-party, though not | | | | juice box short, or if something goes awry with one of |
| necessary. Sometimes seasonal bags offer a fun | | | | the planned activities. Once the party begins, relax and |
| change, such as a bucket (which serves as the party | | | | enjoy the smile on your child's face. |