Kingston Children Parties

When planning a child birthday party, just a little bit of organisation will go a long way. A good selection of child party games will keep the group interested and the party running smoothly. Always keep in mind that during the course of the day the weather may turn against you so be prepared to move the party (and games) indoors if necessary!

Have an idea of how you would like the party to flow- a typical choice would be: some games or a party craft to start, a break for food and cake, and then some more games or free play to wind up the party. Depending on the location for your party it may be only indoor games or outdoor games that you need to focus on. Either way a mix of games with present opening and food dispersed between should maintain a good flow.

In selecting the child party games it is wise to have a few more games prepared than you think you will need. Some games may finish quickly or if the children are not showing interest, a couple of back-ups can save you from any embarrassment. Prepare all of the music, props and prizes before the party and make sure that you are clear on the rules. If you do not want to give out prizes after every game then choose games that do not have clear ‘winner’ and are less competitive.

A mix of active games, those that allow the children to wind-down, and perhaps a craft activity should be plenty for a party that is lasting roughly two hours. Two hours is generally long enough for kids aged from between 3 and 6 years old.

A party craft is often a good way to start a party, allowing the kids to mingle with each other while making a party hat, loot bag or something similar. Active games give them a chance to burn off some of that party excitement and some quieter, cool-down games can help to settle kids who might have had a bit much red cordial!

Utilise other parents or older kids to help out with games if required. If younger children are attending then many of their parents will stay anyway and won’t mind acting as timekeeper or judge for a game. If you are preparing food and drinks and trying to run the games all on your own then you are going to be stretched to the limit, so ask for help if you feel you need it.

When selecting the actual party games keep in mind the ages of the children attending. Younger children prefer simple, short games, nothing that requires too much explaining or has numerous rules. Think of the games that you enjoyed at parties that you attended as a child. Traditional games like Pass the Parcel, Musical Chairs or quieter games like Charades or Dead Lions are all favourites that most kids understand and have played before. Many of these games can be renamed to suit the particular theme of your party, don’t feel like you have to reinvent the wheel

For older children you can be more adventurous with games and the party child will no doubt aid you in selecting games that he/she feels are appropriate to the theme of the party. If you have a mix of ages present be sure that the younger children are not being caught up in the boisterous activity of older children.

Whatever games you choose be flexible, and willing to improvise. Allow the children to set the pace in regards to the length of the games. If they are all enjoying a game then let it continue, if not move on. Remember that FUN is the aim of the day, if the kids see you relaxed and having fun then they will too!

The easiest way to plan a great kids party is to start with a theme into which all the different party elements fit perfectly. Your most important input in deciding on the party theme should come from the party child.

Consider his or her interests and favorite things, such as sports, hobbies, cartoon characters, TV shows, books, animals, and so on. Kids love to be involved in the party planning – the anticipation is part of the fun!

Next, consider each of the party elements in relation to your chosen theme. These elements include invitations, decorations, cake, costumes, games, food, and favors. You don’t have to use

all of the elements, but once you get brainstorming you’ll probably want to!

INVITATIONS

Invitations can be homemade from your computer or fashioned by the party child. There are lots of internet sites which offer many themed designs at a reasonable cost, or you can even send

invitations via email. Don’t be afraid to try new ideas such as writing party details on a balloon, deflating it and mailing to guests.

DECORATIONS

Decorations are easy if you stick with the basics. Balloon bunches and crepe paper streamers go a long way toward setting a festive party atmosphere. A handmade greeting sign on the front door welcomes guests to your party spot. A plastic tablecloth decorated with markers by the party child lends a personal touch, and his or her toys can double as party accents, if they fit with the party theme.

CAKE

The party cake is an indispensable part of your celebration, but it needn’t be from a fancy (and pricey) bakery. A simple rectangular cake adorned with a few of your child’s small plastic toys makes a perfectly acceptable cake. Try grouping cupcakes on a platter with a candle in each to serve as a nontraditional cake.

Better still, let party guests frost and decorate their own cupcakes. How about making a birthday cookie or “pizza” by baking pre-made cookie dough in a pizza pan and frosting it? An internet search for “birthday cakes” will also provide you with many popular cake designs and ideas.

COSTUMES

Costumes are a fun addition to your party plan, especially when guests get to become their own party-themed character. Make a habit of collecting hats, scarves, bandannas, sunglasses, fabric, and other clothing items that can be transformed into simple costumes. Yard sales and resale stores often yield used costumes, hats, ribbon, etc. at a fraction of their original cost.

Facepainting easily makes party guests into pirates, monsters, clowns, you name it.

GAMES

Competitive games are the best way to get all the guests engaged and excited. It’s easy to take many traditional games and give them a clever twist to fit with your party theme. For example, “pin the tail on the donkey” becomes “pin the crown on the princess” for a princess party. “Freeze tag” becomes “frozen zombies” for a Halloween or monster party. “Hot potato” can be “pass the parrot” for a pirate party, and so on.

FOOD

Kids party food should be simple, as guests are usually too excited to eat much anyway. Plan an easy entree such as pizza or finger sandwiches and provide various munchies such as cut-up

vegetables and dip, grapes and apple slices. The cake and ice cream will provide enough sugar to keep kids happy.

If you want to get a little fancier, visit the many cooking websites for thousands of recipes to inspire you. Food can also be designed to fit with the party theme. For instance, chicken wings become “pteradactyl wings” for a dinosaur party, punch can be a “love potion” for a princess party, chicken tenders can be “golden nuggets” for a pirate party, you get the idea.

FAVORS

Party favors extend the fun and fuzzy feeling kids get from partying! There’s nothing like having “a little something” as a remembrance of a fun day. Goody bags are always popular; even though parents sometimes object to the candy and plastic toys, kids still love ‘em!

Gift certificates to fast food restaurants are a hit too, as are books, glow necklaces, and simple personalized toys. “Make and take” party favors are the best as kids get to create and keep their own special parting gifts.

Creating a party theme is easy if you take it step by step and plan ahead. You may find that planning your child’s party can be as fun as the party day itself!

Child insurance is a subject often avoided and a very delicate issue in itself. However, it can make sense from a financial standpoint, depending on the current situation in your family.

In general, life insurance is used to protect a persons family in the event of an untimely death. If the individual who earns the most dies, how will you replace the lost income? In most cases, young couples do not have big enough reserves to sustain this loss and without life insurance providing a “safety net”, the spouse can be forced to sell the house you both worked so hard for and experience a major drop in living standards.

When analyzing the life insurance needs of your family, the first thing to do is to insure the primary-income earners. This is self-explanatory, as in most instances children are not income earners. While a child’s death would have an unquantifiable emotional impact, it would not have a major financial impact. However, assuming that all of your main financial bases are well-covered, insuring a child can make sense and can also offer many benefit, especially long-term.

For example, insuring a child at a young age guarantees that he or she has insurance now and has the ability to get insurance in the future. This will protect the child’s ability to obtain insurance against future health problems, such as asthma or cancer; it will also protect the child against high-risk occupations such as becoming a firefighter or pilot. Most life-insurance policies give you the option of adding a guaranteed insurability rider which allows the child to upgrade his/her insurance in the future, without a medical. This is a key point and should not be overlooked.

Permanent policies also allow your child to lock in at very favourable rates and can be paid up in a limited number of years. The policy can generate cash value which is available in the case of an emergency or to help supplement the child’s retirement income.

If you have hereditary health issues, insuring your child has an extra added importance, as it creates a safety-net against the child developing health problems in the future. A child who eventually has a family of his/her own may have developed health issues in the future and as a result, it might be very hard or impossible to obtain life insurance policies or they would be with an extra added cost.