Short on time? These tips will save the day!
I don’t need to tell you that parents live busy lives! There isn’t always time to organise elaborate parties between school drop offs, extra curricular activities and unexpected emergencies. Not to mention your own work, exercise and household chores. Whilst there can be a lot of pressure to throw a show-stopping birthday party, what your kid really wants is to have fun with their friends. When planning a party, start from this point of view and the rest will fall into place. Here are some easy birthday party ideas for when you're short on time.
Quick and easy decorations
Choose quick and easy decorations that the kids can help with - balloons, table cloths, a banner. Or go bare! I have been to parties with zero decorations that are still a roaring success.
If you’re super busy but the kids aren’t (like in the holidays or after school), you can set them some activities to keep them out from under your feet. Get them to make paper chains to hang or draw pictures on small triangles of paper that can be strung on a ribbon as bunting.
Simple yet engaging activities
Some simple and engaging activities at a party include jumping castles, sprinklers and water pistols (on a hot day!), games like musical statues, musical chairs, tug of war.
Or maybe your child is more arty? You could set up a large table with paper and craft supplies - pencils, glitter, stickers etc and the children can make posters, comic book pages or design a monster. I have also seen parents set up ‘magic wand making’ and beaded bracelet making at parties which the kids have loved.
Throwing your party in a park with a playground is another excellent last-minute idea, as long as the weather is good the kids can play on the swings and jungle gyms with their friends for the duration of the party given a chance! And as a back up you can take some outdoor toys you might have lying around - balls, hula hoops, sponge cricket bat to let the kids have free reign over the activities.
And honestly, if you are very time poor, find a local soft play centre that runs parties and delegate the birthday fun to the professionals! For older kids, take them and a couple of friends to the movies, or laser tag. Anything your child will enjoy and can share with friends makes a successful and memorable party. There is no need to feel guilty for outsourcing the birthday party - just don’t be too busy to enjoy it with your child!
Hiring an entertainer for hassle-free fun
Speaking of outsourcing, if you are looking for some last minute ideas, contact a local entertainer and hire them to ease your worries about being short on time to prepare an epic event. A professional entertainer will be able to create fun using a show, interactive games, character work, balloons, bubbles, face painting, magic, you name it! They will need very little from you in preparation and are highly skilled at creating hassle-free birthday party fun.
Some services even have add-on options such as decorations to match your theme, or party bags to give out to guests so you don’t have to spend time and energy on those tasks. All you have to do is send out invites and bring some snacks and a cake!
Remember, all your child really wants is to have a good time with their friends - as long as their party allows that to happen then it is a success! And when you find yourself in the middle of the party, allow yourself a moment of enjoyment with your family and community so it doesn’t get lost in the busy-ness of life as just another thing to tick off the to-do list. It’s in these small moments that we find the most love and happiness.
Need an entertainer? Contact Hana Fiesta to check availability
Comentários