I don’t know about you, but by house seems to be getting filled up with more and more kids things.  It seems every Christmas and birthday there is a huge influx of new “stuff”, toys, games, books and so much more.

I would love to know what other’s do about this issue and where is the best place to donate unwanted toys that are too good to throw away?

We have put together 20 party idea’s that work.  Follow these tips and you will never experience a childrens party that is a flop again.

Tip #1

Always have back-up plans.  For example, always organise a few more games and prizes than you think you will need.

Tip # 2

Plan the games and activities so they flow smoothly and avoid too much transition time.  Organise each game in advance to be played in different parts of the garden or house so one adult can set up or clean up while the other game is being played.

Tip # 3

If you are holding a pre-school childs party, consider holding a breakfast party.  Young children are at their best in the morning between 9.30am and 11.00am.

Tip # 4

Be sure that the activities are age appropriate - a 45 minute magic show for toddlers is out of the question.

Tip # 5

It is impossible to manage a large gathering of excited children on your own.  Enlist the help of family and friends to supervise the event, and delegate tasks to anyone willing to assist.

Tip # 6

When organising a childrens party involving a pool, it is important to make sure the parents of the invited children are aware there will be swimming.  This will give them an opportunity to advise you of any concerns they or their children may have.

Tip # 7

An adult with training in CPR, first aid and water safety should closely supervise the pool area when in use.  While children are engaged in other activities, make sure the area is securely closed off and the gates are locked at all times.

Tip # 8

Establish ground rules with the children before swimming, such as no glass in the pool area, no running on slipery surfaces and no diving in shallow water. 

Tip # 9

To gain an accurate total of guests, instead of including the address on the invitation, simply write “call for directions” - that way the guests will have to contact you before the day of the party.

Tip # 10

If you are holding the party at a venue or sprecial location, make sure you include your mobile number on the invitation for any last-minute calls requesting directions on the day.

Tip # 11

For themed parties, you can co-ordinate the games by putting a spin on traditonal party games.  For a mermaid party, change ‘pin the tail on the donkey’ to ‘pin the tail on the mermaid’.

Tip # 12

If you are unsure about the usual time frame for children’s parties, stick to the recommended guide of one hour or more for toddlers and two to three hours for children over five.

Tips # 13

After the party, spend some time with your child making thank-you notes for those who attended.  It is good to involve them in the process, as it will teach them manners and etiquette.

Tip # 14

For a special touch, include a photo of the guest with the birthday child (taken on the day is nice) with the thank you note.

Tip # 15

Tie balloons to the mailbox or arrange them at the door to conveniently guide guests the the location of the party. 

Tip # 16

If you are using balloons as decorations, however, remember they can be a choking hazard.  Dispose of deflated balloons immediately.

Tip # 17

When putting together loot bags, make sure the items are age appropriate.

Tip # 18

Steer clear of too many sweet foods and creamy dessers that may result in upset tummies.  Similarly, an overlad of sugary lollies could lead to a crowd of hyperactive children.

Tip # 19

If restriced space means not all of your child’s friends are invited, it is a good idea to serve cupcakes at school or to your child’s team after a sport game.

Tip # 20

Simple craft projects are a great way to keep guests occupied and kids will love being able to leave the party with something they have made.

Recently my son turned 7 and we of course held a party.  As the party was going to be in the park I didn’t hold back on the number of children my son could invite.  Some 17 children later I realised that I was up for allot of work when it came to the entertainment side of things - let alone the food, cake and loot bags - which are the normal cause for concerns.

In my research I found some great game safey tips I would like to share with you.

Water Hazards

Children aged 5 years and under are most vulnerable to drowning, as they are not able to judge hazards and are still developing motor skills.  While pools are an obvious concern they are not the only danger.  Children can drown in as little as 5cm of water.

When considering  the games area for your party, keep an eye out for access to spas, baths, fish ponds, buckets of water, toilets, lakes, rivers, streams and the ocean.

The prevent accidental drowning, always supervise children in and around water.

In the pool it’s great to have water games, but if you do make sure you hold regular head counts. 

Also, keep and eye out for hot drinks, food and liquids.  To avoid injury, always play games away from food and drinks and palce hot liquids in the centre of the table, never near the edge where little hands can easily pull it off the table or knock it over.

Chemical Concerns

Medicines, household creaning products and other chemicals should always be kept out of sight and out of reach, preferably in a child-resistant cupborad or under lock and key.  This is particularly the case for one to three year old children who are at most risk of poisoning.

To further prevent accidental poisoning, remove poisonous plants from the garden and lock garden sheds, kitchen cupboards and laundry cupboards.

Head over Heals

To help prevent serious falls at your next party, install safety guards and railings near steps, stairs and balconies.  It is also a good idea to remove furniture with sharp edges or cover the corners of furniture with cushions so children do not hurt themselves.

Soft-fall materials under play equipment should be considered.

If children are playing with bikes, skateboards or skates, make sure they are wearing the appropriate safety gear, including a helmet.  Ensure too that the children’s clothing is apropriate, so they do not fall, trip or become tangled in the equipment.

Backyard Concerns

Alot of party games are played outdoors.  When doing so, ensure pets are locked away and the games area is free from tipping, drowing or falling hazards.  Also, keep away from roads and driveways.

For more safety tips on games, please click on the link to our games suggestions:

http://www.partydirect.com.au/index.php?main_page=page&id=36&chapter=2

We hope you have a safe and happy birthday party for your child each and every year.

When I was pregnant I was determined that my child would not be exposed to weapons, little did I know that any stick, rolled up piece of paper or the like would become a weapon of sorts.

I was fighting a loosing battle, so then I decided that if my child was going to play with weapons he would be taught to use them correctly and with respect for what they can do.

He is what is appropriate and not approrpiate with these weapons which I notice more so when some of his friends come and play who are not used to playing with these toys and how they behave around them.  We always ask other children’s parents if they are allowed to play with weapons and if they are not, my son will pack them away so that nobody is tempted.

Now, I am not saying my view is right for everybody, what I am saying is that is right for our family.

Acording the Wikepedia, there are some dangers associated with children playing with toy weapons:

“Toy weapons can cause harm like most objects in the hands of children. BB guns which were sold as toys can and have caused lethal injury, as well as property damage. Unlike most other toys though, much of the danger of these toys is related to mistaking a toy weapon for a real weapon.

As plastic replaced wood and metal in toy weapon manufacture, so did real weapons such as the M-16 start a trend to use plastic in manufacturing modern assault rifles. Current military rifles such as the Steyr AUG now resemble children’s toys. Technological advancement also enabled weapons to be the same size of toy weapons. In previous days Colt Peacemaker pistols, Winchester lever action rifles, tommy guns, and Louis Marx and Company children’s versions of the M-1 and M-14 were noticeably scaled down in size and unlikely to be mistaken for the real thing. From the 1960s weapons like the Uzi and Mac-10 submachine guns are the same size as children’s toys.

Problems with toy weapons that look very much like a real one include:

• a robber or other criminal might threaten people with a toy weapon
• people might flee and panic, or overpower the carrier of a toy weapon
• police officers or other authorities treating the carrier of a toy weapon as armed may harm him or her, and take measures such as closing an area, causing disruption to the public; it causes work for the authorities
• a child might handle a real weapon confusing it with a toy

Therefore these toy weapons are forbidden in many countries. Realistic looking toys are often called “replicas”. In the United States since 1992, toy guns are required to have an orange plug or be entirely brightly colored to signify them as toys.

Toy weapons are sometimes banned from certain public places where responses could cause a disruption.”

In the end, it depends on the child and the parents view on weapons.

What’s your view?