Children's parties can be a bit tough, even for a well-seasoned party host. In this month's blog we are going to explore the do's and don'ts of children's parties.

Do Plan Some Type Of Entertainment Or Play Activity

One thing I cannot stress enough is have an activity planned for the children. Even a simple game of pin the tail on the donkey is a good planned activity for a kids party.  You may choose to hire cartoon characters or a magician as a way to entertain the children. You may even rent a big screen tv, so the children can play video games. Whatever you choose, the key is having some type of an activity or type of entertainment for the kids.

Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help

You will need to have a few adults on the party scene to watch the kids.  Don't be afraid to ask other parents to help watch over them.  Most parents will be glad to help out.  You can reciprocate when they throw the next kids party.

Do Expect A Few Messes And Some Tears

Kids will be kids, and the younger ones will spill and make messes.  Be prepared ahead of time to handle these situations. Here's a hint:  If you have the party at your home and you have lightly-colored carpet, don't serve red punch (the tears shed may be your own). Plan you party so that any mess or spilled punch won't matter.  You can always do an outdoor party or rent the local community building for a day.

Do Have A Variety Of Food

Children can be picky eaters.  Some may like pizza and others may not.  To make a good party for the kids offer a variety of foods.  Serve pizza and hot dogs, or chicken strips along with hamburgers.  Don't forget to include some snack-type foods like potato chips, Chex Party Mix, jelly beans. You can even put out different brands of cereal in paper cups. Don't forget to throw in some veggies; the parents may want to nosh on them as their kids have fun.

The key to great kids parties is to plan ahead for any crisis, such as food issues, messes, and tears, and don't forget planned activities. If you have these things covered your kids party will go well.

This kids party post is sponsored by Arlington, Virginia, caterers.

Stumped on a theme for your 4 or 5-year old's party?  Throw them an alphabet party! Use every letter of the alphabet from A to Z.  Start off the alphabet party with colorful alphabet invitations. Decorate your party location with all the letters of the alphabet by purchasing alphabet streamers, confetti and other alphabet-themed decorations. Get creative!

You can buy letters and streamers at a party supply store or an office/school supplies store. Don't forget balloons!  Make sure they carry the theme and have letters or the alphabet on them.

Utilize your local bakery for alphabet cupcakes, cookies or crackers.  If you don't want cupcakes, order your child a birthday cake using his or her name.  You can spell out your kid's name or you can use just his initials.

Ask your favorite deli if they will make letter-shaped ham and cheese sandwiches.  If not, you can buy letter cookie cutters and make your own ABC peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

For party favors, buy alphabet flash cards or letter magnets that match the guest's initials. Some party stores have age appropriate, ready-made alphabet party favor boxes.

A great party game is Pin-the-Letter on an item/person, played like the game Pin-the-Tail on the donkey.  Using heavy duty craft paper, cut out the letters of the alphabet.  Have the birthday boy or girl pick a letter out of a box. He or she then has to find something or someone with a name that starts with that letter and "pin" (I suggest using tape) the letter to that object or person.

Wedding and Party Network is a proud sponsor of this children's party theme.

A group of women I know who love to plan parties is having a Mad Hatter Tea Party. They are basing the theme loosely on "Alice in Wonderland" and asking all the participants to wear a fun, crazy, whimsical hat. Ladies invited are also being asked to bring a teacup from home to use at the event. (This group runs on a tight budget, so this is a really creative way to get around buying china cups or resorting to Styrofoam.)

The event will take place in a small room with cozy round tables, like you would expect at a tea party. Each table will be decorated with a white linen tablecloth and colorful embellishments. Because 30-40 women are expected at this event, to make it easy for tea to be served, each table's centerpiece will be a unique china teapot already filled with hot water.

A selection of tea bags will be at the tables for the ladies to choose, pour and begin enjoying. All the tea trimmings–sugar cubes, thin lemon slices and milk–will be at each table.

Food for the tea party will consist of homemade scones, flavored butters, jams and clotted cream. Cucumber and chicken salad tea sandwiches, mini pastries, tea biscuits and lemon tarts will also be on-hand.

There will also be a contest to choose the most original hat, the craziest hat, the prettiest hat and best of show, with prizes for each. Each lady will be given a party favor at the end: a glassine bag filled with assorted tea bags and tied with a ribbon.

The thing I like most about this idea is that it is adaptable to many different groups: book clubs, churches, sororities, civic organizations and charity fund raisers. It's a fun, creative way to get together, have a few laughs and enjoy the company of others, all while serving delicious food and drinks.

My little girl was singing "Rain, rain, go away…" the other day and it got me thinking. The next rainy day we have, we're having a "Let It Rain" party.  Here's how: We will call several of her close friends and tell them to dress in their best rainy day gear–raincoats, hats, umbrellas, boots, etc.

Of course, I will arrange it with their moms in advance so they won't be surprised. Then we'll go pick them up, bring them to the park and see just how many mud puddles we can find. Remember how fun it was to splash in mud puddles? I do, and a rainy day is the perfect opportunity to get wet. They're dressed for it so let them have all the fun they want splashing, jumping, dancing and playing.

When all are sufficiently tired, we pile back in the car and head home, where warm bubble baths and a fun spa time takes place. After baths, they can put on robes or comfy clothes and have a spa lunch. This could consist of a festive punch or hot cocoa, tea sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly, pimento cheese, etc.), petite cookies–anything ladylike that you can tailor for little girls.

After lunch it's  "salon" time drying and styling hair. Then we're on to pedicures and manicures. Line the girls up on the sofa and do an assembly line with foot baths, massages, and polish. They can talk, laugh and enjoy the process together.

When "spa day" is over, they can re-dress and mom's taxi can deliver them home. I think my daughter and her friends will look forward to rainy days–and have a great memory–after this rainy day party.

Need some help with this party theme?
Hire a limo to transport guests.
Have a bakery make special "rainy day" cookies.
Give the girls a professional manicure and pedicure from a manicurist.

Dad's do you feel left out when it comes to planning a party for your child?

You are not alone. Many times, Dads feel left out when it comes to planning kids parties. What they don't realize is moms are tired of planning every party for their child. This year try reversing the roles. Dads let the moms sit back and watch as you do it all.

Dads don't panic you can plan it. Yes you can.  For dads looking for children's party ideas, I've got four easy steps to building a great party.  Use the following steps as the building blocks in constructing a great kids  party.

STEP 1 – Party Theme

Start with a theme (a concept for the party – pirates, star wars etc.) which help focus the other basics steps and guide us in planning the party.  For our example, the party will have a construction theme.

A construction party consists of the parents helping the party attendees to build an item.  You can choose to build any number of things.  For children ages 3-5, build a truck or a car with construction paper. Using pre-cut paper trucks and cars have the children color and draw in wheels or special features. You can cut cars and trucks from your old car magazines and let the kids glue them to old milk cartons as a way to build their own car.  For kids 6-10, build bird houses out of Popsicle sticks. All you need are popsicle sticks, glue and some craft paint.  You can buy bulk popsicle sticks at most craft stores. These are just a couple of theme suggestions. When choosing a theme draw from your own and your child's interest.

STEP 2 – Party Invitations

Invitations should include a minimum of four things: Who, What, Where, When.

Begin by setting the date and the place. Once you've got that you can decide about whom to invite. Most experts say for children 3-5 invite their age plus 1. So, if your child is 3 invite four, 4 invite 5, 5 invite 6.  With children 6 and over you can use the rules given or invite the amount of kids you feel comfortable entertaining.

Invitations should be personally delivered or mailed at least 2 weeks prior to the event.  I also suggest picking an invitation that displays the theme. For our example it needs to be something that represents a construction theme.  Hanny Manny invitations would be a good example of a construction theme or even ones that have Tonka Toy backhoes or dirt movers on them. You should be able to find kids theme invitations at party or stationary supply stores.

STEP 3 Party Decorations:

When choosing decorations work from your theme. You'll notice that when you were choosing your invitations the party store carried theme decoration as well. You will find that items like napkins, posters, plates, cups and other theme party decorations will compliment the Hanny Manny or Bob the Builder invitations you have already selected.  If you can't find character or decorations based on your theme, use colorful streamers or balloons to dress up your party area. Although not necessarily a decoration, party favors are a must.  Now is the time you will want to pick up the party favors. The best kids party favor is a small gift bag containing candy, toys or fun items for each child.

Step 4 Party Food:

A little food goes a long way with kids since most kids 3 to 10 years old would rather play than eat. I recommend with younger kids in this age group you serve cake and ice cream only.  But the cake should be specially designed around the theme. As for drinks, I suggest bottle of soda and water or juice boxes.  Be sure to contact your bakery one week ahead, so they can create your party theme cake.

So there you have it dads. A blueprint for building the perfect kids party. Go out and build one today!

These tips for planning a kids party were brought to you by the wonderful local party vendors in the United States and Canada.

Planning a birthday party for your son in those awkward years between 8-12? He's too old for those sweet little kids parties you used to throw. Yet, he still willing to have you plan his party. So, how do you create a party that he will love?

Skating Your Way To A Party That Is Off The Hook

Ask yourself "what do tween boys want or like?"  Think of what your tween's interests. I know several tweens who are in to skateboarding. Using the party theme like skateboarding is a fantastic place to start.  Seek out some skate boarding teens that can show the tweens some cool tricks (keeping in mind safety). Ideally it would be wonderful to rent a skate board facility.  Don’t fret if a skateboards facility is not available. Create a skateboard paradise at your house. Decorate your party area with mini skate boards, posters with skate board heroes such as Tony Hawk or Andy MacDonald and graffiti boards. Buy some thin ply board and spray paint and write graffiti on it.

Entertainment That Will Have Them Stoked

Keep a few ply boards and spray cans for your party goers to graffit up. Use teenage skateboarders as another form of entertainment. Have them give the young kids a demonstration. If your party area allows let the kids show off the skateboard skills learned for the older teens. Remember safety comes first. All kids should wear protective gear before they skateboard. You can also have them play a game of follow the skate board leader. Have one of the teens do age appropriate tricks for them to follow and when each tween fails to complete the leaders action, they leave the game to go drink a soda or power drink such as Gatorade. Listen to your tween and he will give you plenty of idea to make this party a success. Savor the memories of this party, hire a videographer to document the skateboard fun.

Party Favors They'll Be Down With

Party favors STICKERS … that is all you have to give to 8-12 year old boys to make them happy. This age group loves stickers. Need to fill your gift bags with more? Granola or power bars and skateboard key chains will excite these tweens. When looking for skate board theme items try a skateboard. You can even find great skateboard items online.

Grindage Must Haves

These tween will build up quite the appetite after all that skateboarding. Pizza is a good choice for the food, as well as hamburgers/hot dogs and soda. The big wow of this party is the cake with graffiti air brushed skate board and your tween's name.

A skateboarding party is a great way to have fun and allow boys to be boys. By the end of the day, your tween will think your the best bro a boy could have.

Planning A Party For Your Pre-teen Daughter?

Of course you can always do a party for your tween girl using the many tween idols of the day; Hannah Montana or High School Musical.  While these are great themes, every party your child has been to in the last six months has been a Hannah Montana party. UGH!! By now you've grown tired of the same theme, but your tween's birthday is drawing near. So what to do?

Creating Your Own Teenage Superstar

Ask yourself what does my tween girl want? To be glamorous and dress up like older (teenage) girls. You know the phrase 12 going on 20.  So for one day, her birthday allow her to be a teenager (with full adult supervision of course). Employ a teenage girl and maybe her friends to do the tween girls make up and hair.  Buy a few inexpensive foundations, and eye shadows, lipstick for the teenagers to use on tweens. Create a runway decorated with streamers and lights. Have the tweens walk the runway as the teenagers vote on who has the best style. You can even give the winner a special prize. For party favors give mini little lip gloss along with some inexpensive nail polish and bracelets. Hanging out with real teenages is the best part for these tweens.

If it is a small party, you can have the tweens make their own pizza. If not, order pizza from your local pizza parlor. For the "cake” choose something unusual like cup cakes or fancy cookies. Create a special drink for the tweens or serve an assortment of canned sodas.

Using a popular tween idol for a themes is certainly okay, but it can also be fun for you to do a creative party such as the one above.  Plus this is an added bonus teenagers like to be idolized by the younger set as well so you get bring the two groups together.

Your primary goal when planning for a children's birthday party is to make sure the birthday child feels special. Your secondary goal is to ensure that everyone has a good time at the party. The entertainment part of a children's birthday party is a very important part! You want to be sure that the entertainment you have planned is well thought out.

Let's start off with a little entertainment that doesn't take a lot of work to get planned. Children usually have a large imagination and just about anything will get their attention. The number one thing to add festivity to the air of a birthday party is music. Play kid-friendly songs, or have a musical DVD playing on a TV in the main party room. Besides the music , children's party activities always make a party a lot more fun for every child.

Here's a simple idea that doesn't cost much to do. You could set up a game room inside your home, or even outdoors. This game room could be arranged with a variety of homemade games that cost very little to do. You could then provide each child that completed or won the game with a "prize". This could be anything from candy bars to glow sticks, whatever you think would be fun for any child. A couple of homemade games you could set up are soda bottle bowling, or even mining for jewels. Sounds fun!

Need bigger entertainment ideas? One major hit at most children's parties is to book an entertainer. This could be a standard clown or magician. To change things up a bit, you could even book "character entertainers" who come as popular TV, movie, or story book characters. But before making your decision to hire an entertainer, you need to be sure of a couple of things. Try to see them in action performing before the party to determine if they are the right entertainer for your child's party. Another thing is to be sure and let your entertainer know ahead of time if your child is shy. This would prevent the entertainer from asking your child to participate in the show, if you know that's not what your child would have in mind.

Another entertainment idea that any child is for sure to enjoy is to rent out a "bounce gym" or also known as a bouncer. Kids love them! These bouncers usually tend to cost $150+ per day including delivery and setup. They also come in lots of fun themes. Not only do kids love them but these bounce gyms are even actually good for their bodies. They have fun while doing a little exercise. Talk about two for the price of one!

Regardless of which of these entertaintment ideas you use, your birthday party is sure to be well entertained. Just make sure to have back up plans in case one of your entertainment ideas ends up not being possible. Which is why planning ahead of time is always a good first choice!

Sometimes we just can't afford to have a dog and pony show party for our children. Yet, we still want them to have a special party.  Throwing a party for your child can be done frugally and still filled with with fun. Inexpensive treats such as popcorn and movie rentals are just the ticket.

Your thinking popcorn is not a party theme. A party revolving around popcorn is boring. Not so! Popcorn can be a fun party activity, a great party theme and a hectic of a good time.  You can pop your own and make popcorn balls or pop up a big batch of plain popcorn and set up a table with "fixings" for the popcorn. You can even rent a popcorn machine that looks like an old popcorn cart.

How To Make A Popcorn Party Exciting

Create a special popcorn table with all the "fixings". Your "fixings" table should have some sweet items, sour items, flavored salt and cheese toppings. Sweet popcorn fixings are items like raisins, M&M's, peanut butter chips, gummy bears, anything sweet and chewy.  Sour items such as mustard, sour patch candies and pickles will add interest to popcorn.  Flavored salts or cheese need to be shakable. Black pepper, garlic salt, shakable cheese and special popcorn salts that come in a variety of flavors will satisfy and intrigue many palates. All of these toppings will create a Yummy treat!

You can put the popcorn in paper coffee filters and allow each child to mix up his/her own popcorn. Now you have both a treat and a great party activity (you get a twofer with this one). Kids will mix all kinds of things like mustard and gummy bears and dare each other to eat their creations. What could be more entertaining. Kids will love it because they get to make decisions. Kids like to feel important.

What goes better with popcorn than a movie. Movie rentals are inexpensive and a convenient way to take the party up a notch. Need a bigger screen? One thing you might look at is renting a projection screen. One day projection screen rentals can be very inexpensive and it certainly gives the kids the feeling of a movie theater with out the cost of the movie tickets.