I’ve got two little boys who will soon be turning 5 and 7; I can hardly believe the sound of those numbers. How in the world did they get to be so big? And how could this school year possibly be coming to an end so soon?
The last week of June is notorious in the Stow house for a huge, outdoor birthday bash. Having two boys whose birthdays are just two weeks apart calls for one joint birthday bash that the boys love. In fact, we’ve had the SAME style birthday party for years now – which always includes a blow up waterslide, outdoor fun and games and an amazing homemade birthday cake, which their Grandma so cleverly crafts up in her kitchen to the theme of the boys’ liking. She’s made some AMAZING birthday cakes in her day for the Stow kids!
Looking to create the best birthday party ever for your little one this year? I’ve got some easy tips to make the planning go smoothly.
Easy Birthday Party Planning Tips
- Search Pinterest for theme ideas. Pinterest is amazing for planning your next birthday party. Just search “kids birthday party” or something such as “Elmo birthday party” and Pinterest will provide you with thousands of themed ideas. I would be lost without Pinterest when it comes to birthday party planning!
- Keep it simple. Spending tons of money on extravagant decorations and food, or even a venue, for little ones isn’t worth it. Save your money for a family vacation and plan something simple.
- Hit up the Dollar Tree for party favors and decorations that the kids will love. You can even get your balloons for $1 a piece!
- Make clean-up easy and use paper goods for serving your guests.
- Send an electronic invitation – we love Paperless Post and Evite!
- Pick a party favor that kids AND parents will be pleased with – no whistles! Again, keep it simple and check the dollar store. You don’t need to go hog wild.
- Be wary of those with allergies and plan ahead.
- Serve Hoodsie® Cups, by Hood. With the perfect amount of chocolate and vanilla ice cream all under one little cup, those kiddos will devour their Hoodsie cups – leaving no mess to clean up! Plus, it’s the perfect choice for those who need a peanut-free dessert. Hoodsie for the win! No wasted time scooping out ice cream!
- Think about reinstating opening presents after cake and ice cream! Remember those good old days when we’d sit as a group and ooooh and aaaah over the presents? Best part, right? What has happened to that super fun tradition? Is it that we think kids can’t handle it nowadays?
What are your birthday party planning tips and tricks to promise the best birthday ever? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!
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Disclosure: I received compensation from Hood in exchange for writing this post. Although this is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own.
My boys both have August birthdays, so we do one big joint party for them with pizza and a bouncy house.
Great tips, and quite timely, since my son’s birthday is coming up soon! I love your suggestion about going to the Dollar Store. A great party doesn’t have to cost a fortune!
Katie @ Pick Any Two recently posted…6 Proven Baby Sleep Tips Every Parent Should Know
Dollar Tree is always our first stop for little decorations – no reason to spend a small fortune!
Chastity recently posted…It’s Boots and Chaps
I totoally remember those types of ice cream before. Perfectd servings for kids.
maria @ close to home recently posted…How to make your backyard a paradise for your kids!
I always love how amazing people parties turn out. These are such great tips.
becca recently posted…5 ways to use Dryer Sheets #freshspringflowers #TeamSnuggle
Great tips! I love the dollar tree for party supplies. I always start there first. Man, you’re suck a great party planner! Wish I had your skills!
Jennifer aka Baby Making Mama recently posted…10 Moments I Would Have Missed Without a DSLR Camera
Annie Stow! How did you know I have to plan 2 kids birthday parties in the next few weeks? Mind reader!
(You are welcome to plan my kids’ parties by the way… anytime… sounds like you are a PRO!)
kimberly recently posted…Why Book to Screen Adaptations Can be Great, or What I Learned from Watching Outlander
Great! My kids birthdays all start now. This will be super helpful. I am not a party type Gal so we do family things but these are great tips!
I tend to go a bit overboard on parties. I love the theming!
I love having theme parties for my boys. That’s the fun part!
Milena recently posted…kaboom! Entertainment Presents: Minuscule: Valley of the Lost Ants on DVD # Review #Giveaway
Planning parties can be so much fun! Thanks for the great post! Love the cake, too! Terrific pics!
Lisa Nolan recently posted…Expect Sleep Disruptions & Remember the Ranch Dressing: World Family Travel by Beth of Manic Mumbling
Great tips! We usually try to keep things simple for birthday parties over here. Some decorations, a cookout, and some games 🙂 Oh an a piñata. Always haha.
AJ @ NutriFitMama recently posted…Skinny Gluten Free Oven “Fried” Chicken
My kids have close birthdays too! They will be turning three and six in a few weeks and we always go a bit party crazy.
Tamara recently posted…Feeling Proud To Be the Odd Mom Out.
These are some awesome ideas. I never realized how good a resource Dollar Tree was for parties until my kids had gone off to college!
Liz Mays recently posted…Love in the Time of #bae – Online Dating Tips
The Dollar Store!!! I need to stop in there for the bridal shower I’m planning! Never even thought of them for party supplies!!
(And your cake is too cute!!!)
Melissa Angert recently posted…Summer in Navy
Those ice cream treats are the perfect size for kids. Great for portion control and little hands!
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Turbo Fast Season One Activity Sheets + Giveaway #TurboFastInsiders
I’ve never heard of Hoodsie cups. I always like to have individual ice cream cups on hand during parties. So easy!
Tonya C recently posted…Hello Kitty Party Ideas
These are all great tips! I remember all the planning and challenges that went into my kids’ parties when they were little.
That birthday cake is super adorable! I love Elmo!
Jenny Temcio recently posted…Hip Watches for Busy Parents On The Go: #JordWatch
These are great tips!!! We will be celebrating my son’s birthday this summer. Summer birthdays are the best! I just wrote a blog post about it myself with tips similar to some you have listed here. I love planning summer birthday parties.
What a great list and super cute cake! I’m a huge fan of keeping it simple and Dollar Store items for decor and favors though I definitely agree with no whistles! One of the big favor hits from my son’s summer birthday last year was Cracker Jacks! Not too sugary consumables are fine by me because they mean no more plastic junk in the house!
Leticia Barr recently posted…Countdown to Summer & Flexible Online Summer Learning with #BrainChase
These are all great tips. I love the Dollar Tree for a lot of stuff! I can always find great party supplies there.
lisa recently posted…See The Difference of 4K With Samsung SUHD TVs @BestBuy
Theme parties are great. Always on the look out for new ideas and deals.
I’m all about disposable paper goods! I need to fund some cute eco-friendly ones!
Kristin recently posted…Easy Green Smoothie Recipe
These look like so much fun. I love party planning!
Courtney recently posted…The best grilled eggplant.
I love all your tips and that ELMO display was so super cute. I loved it and I took notes! 🙂
Planning events is very crucial to make sure everything works fine.
I love how creative and simple this idea is! I wanna make the same Elmo cake too <3 Thanks for the tips Annie!
I like your tip to keep it simple. Like you said, paying a lot of money for decorations or venues isn’t worth it if your kid won’t remember it in a few years. While renting a bounce house might be fun for some kids, renting out a dance hall usually isn’t necessary. Thanks for the tips!
Hazel Owens recently posted…Denim Bowl
Party planners should think about the safety of visitors at your birthday party. Also if you are holding an open air party then think about the weather condition too.
Amazing tips! I always find myself slightly lost on where to begin whenever starting a party and I just always seem to get stuck from there. Having the perfect organizational plan just works so well, I feel like I cannot wait to throw my next party- I just need an occasion now!
There are definitely many effective and efficient ways to plan birthday parities, and these tips illustrate that for sure. The party can be a positive experience for everyone involved.
Great post! These are some great tips when it comes to planning a birthday party. I agree that themed parties are always fun to plan especially finding the right cake.
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