Step by step guide on Creating the perfect party for kids. Includes 20 top tips, party checklist, party invites, four week countdown, balloon decorations, party food, party bags and fovors, party games and activities

1. Mip Mops guide to Create
the Perfect Party for Kids
By Tinker and Conk.com
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2. 20 Top Tips on Organising a
Kids Party by Delphina Daisy
1. I know it’s obvious, but you need to prepare, and prepare some more.
If you really want to make an impact start organizing or at least 11. Keep the party length to 2.5 hours max, don’t go
getting ideas months, even a year in advance. Ideas take time, but overboard.
also leads to other great ideas. Carefully make a list, starting with the 12. Kids are happiest around noon, so hold the party at
theme of the party and beyond is important for a great, stress free
lunchtime.
and successful party
2. Shop well in advance for the party essentials such as balloons, plates,
13. If the weathers nice, hold the party outdoors, the
banners, party entertainers, gift bags, party invitations and party clear up is easier and the fresh air is good for all!
favors 14. Be discreet sending invitations directly to school
3. Ensure you have plenty of help. Each helper should have a role unless the majority of the class are attending. But it’s
delegated to one another still nice to bring in a cake for the whole class to
4. Visualise the party in your head, i.e. if it’s a 2 hour party, allocate share.
plenty of time for eating, leave 15 minutes for arrivals, then 1 hour 15. When the kids start arriving, start them on an activity
for playtime/entertainment (whether it’s a disco or bouncy castle), or game to break the ice. Give them each a party hat.
half hour for food and drinks, break and calm down time, ending with For a extra special touch personalise with child’s
15 minutes of play. name
5. Clear up as the party progresses, which makes the clean up at the end
16. Note down the schedule and timetable of the party
easier
6. Do you know the cost of the party? Preparation should always include
and keep it on hand, make a copy for other helpers if
a budget, especially if money is tight. Questions to think about are – needed
How many kids and adults are invited? Is it hosted at home or hired 17. Know exactly where your matches and camera are.
venue? Extra long matches are much easier to light lots of
7. Regardless of whether you host the party at a hired venue or home, candles
all parties cost money. If you can afford it, it’s a lot easier to hire a 18. You could use parents who stay as party assistants, so
venue where everything is done for you, not to mention a huge time everyone has fun!
saver and less hassle. 19. Kids always want to open their presents; it is
8. Children will feel a lot happier and settled if games and activities are advisable to wait until you get home, things get lost
ready for when they arrive. and you will not know who bought what, for your
9. If name labels are used, ensure helpers also use them.
thank you cards. You could let them open one to
10. Plan for an emergency too. Make sure you have all parents contact
details, and it’s a bonus if a helper is a first aider! Have a clipboard,
keep them happy. Have a table ready to put all the
paper and pen handy for these details. presents on when they come in
20. Don’t forget, it’s your child’s party after all. Do what
makes them happy, and not yourself
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3. Party Invitations
By Devlin dinosaur
Making your own
invites give a lovely
personal feel and
Kid’s parties start off with a guest list makes
and invitations.
The best invitations set a positive mood
them feel extra
for your child’s party and your guests special
will look forward in anticipation
Send the invitations at least two weeks
before the party date, or three weeks
before for a party that may fall on a
major/school holiday Make sure you state what and who the party is for on
your invitations. These include:
Date
Start and Finish times
Be discreet sending The Venue
invitations directly to school An RSVP Telephone Number
unless the majority of the The Party Theme (If Applicable)
class are attending Inform the parents if you will/will not provide party
food, so everyone is prepared.
Sprinkle a little bit of confetti in the envelope, this is a
nice touch. But not too much that will cause a mess
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4. Planning a party is much
easier if it has a theme to
it, because it gives it a
Carminda Chick’s Party structure
Checklist that you can follow
Here are some useful tips for making a party
checklist:
•Review and update the list on a regular basis A checklist is needed to keep things
•Have multiple copies of your list, one on the organised for a great successful party
fridge, on the bedside table (for reminders and
late night inspiration of new ideas). Keep one in
your bag/purse for when you go shopping.
•Cross out completed tasks, the sense of goal
accomplishment is a great feeling Children’s parties are immense fun for the
kids. It’s something they look forward to
and plan in their own minds all year round.
Make it even better by adding cakes,
sweets and presents to the mix for a
perfect day
Don’t forget to pack
baby wipes. A must
have tool for any
party!
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5. Four Weeks before Candie Cow and
Make a checklist her Four Week
Calculate your budget
Decide on a theme and decor
Countdown
Figure out the party supplies needed Checklist for the
Decide on the food and drinks menu – Do you want a buffet,
drinks, finger food, set meals, or other?
perfect Party
Create your shopping list
Get the party supplies ordered
Choose what games and activities will be available
Book in advance any party entertainers
Research, and book the venue in advance
Make a to-do list of everything needing to be done in
advance
Have a big box for all your items. This will keep everything
Two-Three Weeks before
•Purchase all items for the games and activities
together and you will know exactly where you are
•Choose and order party favours for the gift bags
•Get prizes for games (and have a few spare prizes
on hand)
•Buy the balloons
•Ensure you have plenty of helpers for the day
•Decide on the party music and make sure you have
access to a stereo
One-Two Weeks before to play on
•Do the major cleaning (If hosted at your home) •Pick all the party outfits and ensure they are clean
•Order the cake •Get together a first aid box, just in case.
•Purchase the non-perishable foods, freezer foods and drinks •Go over the “Four Weeks before” list to check
•Buy the matches and candles, extra long matches are much easier to everything is ticked off
light multiple candles
•If you’re making the cake, bake the base and freeze it
•Schedule all activities
•Follow up on the non-RSVP guests
•Ensure you have plenty of serving/food utensils
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6. Two-Three Days before
•Check to make sure the camera and/or camcorder is in working order,
and fully charged
•Buy extra batteries for the camera and/or camcorder
•Make sure the party area is clean
•Ensure plenty of space in the fridge and freezer
•Make sure there are plenty of foil, cling film, serviettes and bin bags
•Name and organise the party gift bags
•Wrap prizes for all games and activities and pack ready
•Pack up party music and stereo
•Confirm with the venue, entertainers and caterer etc...
•Organise the decoration, and even begin the decorations if possible
•Do any last minute shopping for food supplies and forgotten items
•Get a piece of paper, clipboard and pen ready for the parents contact details, and
pack
Day before
•If at home, clean the bathroom
•Clean outdoor surfaces
•Charge all cameras and camcorders
The Big Day of the Party! •Get the games and activities ready
•Collect the cake and decorate it •Gather food utensils
•Start blowing up the balloons! •Organise and sort the favours and party gifts (have a few
•Decorate the party areas spare just in case)
•Get the party games ready •Prepare any food that can be put in the fridge overnight
•Get the place settings ready •Defrost the cake and any other food needing defrosting
•Gather all serving/food utensils •Skim the list to make sure everything is covered
•Ensure the camera and/or camcorder is ready •Get out party outfits
•Prepare the perishable food •Pack first aid kit
•Put the candles in the cake ready to blow out. Matches.
•Check any supplies needed for the bathroom (e.g. toilet
paper, soap and towels) After the Party Ends
•Now you can relax and enjoy after carefully organising the •Send out the “Thank You” cards
party! •Look and enjoy the photos and videos
•Make an album for a lifetime of memories

7. Balloon Decoration
Ideas Identify the venue with a
By Hercules Happy few balloons tied up
outside. Tie at the
Birthday entrance so people know
where to go. It also sets
excitement for the children
that they have arrived
Balloon Centrepieces
Add some nice flair and a nice touch to the tables by tying some
helium filled balloons with some curled ribbon, and use a
balloon weight or base to keep steady
Balloon Animals
It’s a great bit of entertainment for not only the kid’s, but the young
at heart! Ensure you buy balloons specific for these purposes which
are made for twisting, like the 260s and 360s (you can get 160s for
Balloon Curtain those with smaller hands). You want to learn a few balloon animals
Why not have balloons at the
before the party so you can demonstrate. You want to also print out
entrance so guest can arrive with a
instructions or have posters for the balloon animal area
nice dramatic entrance. You can
simply affix air-filled balloons to
ribbons and hang them at the
doorway
Other ideas
Spread some helium filled balloons around the ground floor space with some
balloon weights; it gives a nice vibrant feel to the party area
Balloon arches take a little more work, but look stunning. Try looking online on
how to make them
If the party is in the summer and you are outside, consider having a water balloon
fight. Kids LOVE water fights (although some parents not so much!)
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8. Party Food
By Charman carrot Don’t forget the
drinks, make sure
you have tea,
coffee, milk, and
sugar for the
grown-ups
Decide
Before you plan the food menu for the
party, you need to decide what meals Choose a Variety
will be served (lunch, tea etc), which Ensure the food menu includes a variety of tasty food that will
goes hand-in-hand with the time of cater for everyone to enjoy. Whether your rolling up the sleeves
the party yourself and unleashing your inner master chef, or hiring out a
catering team to handle to food menu, a well thought out and
planned party menu will not only ease the party planning, it will
be a hugely successful and delicious celebration
Creating a Realistic Budget
Check over the guest list and do a
head count. Based on this, make a
realistic food budget for the guests
Create the Tone
You want to ensure the food menu is related to and in sync with the theme of
the party. For Halloween you could use recipes from the Halloween Mip Mops,
Serving a variety of tasty foods or Christmas recipes from the Christmas Mip Mops (www.mipmops.com)
to cater for everyone is You may want to look at the season, and select fruit and vegetables “in-season”.
important to add festive flair Not only will they look better, they will taste better, not to mention budget
and a successful party friendly
For recipe ideas go to www.mipmops.com

9. Party Gift Bags & Favors
By Rad Reindeer Party favour bags don’t
need to be expensive or
extravagant, whatever you
choose, the guests are sure
Let the season guide you in choosing the type of to appreciate your
party gift bags for the kids. During the summer, thoughtfulness
add in sunglasses and bubble wands. During the
winter, maybe choose some indoor activities like
colouring books, stickers, or flavoured lip balms.
Christmas time, maybe add a cracker (homemade
with a little gift is even better). Halloween has Think about the theme of the party, this makes
lots of gifts available. Mip mops have their own buying favors much easier. Party favour bags
range of flashing badges, sticker books, and with sweets, stickers, badges, temporary
accessories, perfect tattoos all make lovely gift ideas
for all occasions
For a nice special touch, send the kids home Brown paper handled bags are perfect for
with personalised favours. Key chains can making your own party bags. Each can be
have an engraved party date, or a personalised with names and your own pictures
personalised message on pencils, pens, added (add a picture of the party host saying
chocolate or kids magnets. If the guest list is thank you for coming to my party and making it
smaller, personalised zip pulls and school bag a very special day, add the date of the party.
tags with their names inscribed on the front Ribbons on the handles is a nice touch, (you
make a nice impact without blowing your could even attach a helium balloon) it’s more
budget stand-out than standard plastic party bags
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10. Party Games & Activities
By Sauda spider
One of the most important aspects of the party, are the games &
activities themselves. While the cake, presents and food are great
fun, if the guests are not entertained, the party can turn into a chaos
pretty quickly. A child left to their own entertainment after
consuming sugary cake and fizzy drink is never a good idea!
You’ll need to tailor the games to the age group of the
children attending. Games can normally be adapted
to suit depending on the celebration
Parties come to life with kids games! Kids
anticipate some games and activities and its
central part to their fun on the day. Find some
of the Mip Mops favourite games on
www.mipmops.com
You want to think about the style of the
games carefully. Younger children act
differently to older children; for example,
musical statues can seem very harsh on a
small kid when told “You’re Out!”
Prepare for plenty of tears!
For game ideas visit www.mipmops.com