*Having a Party at HOME?*

Here are a few tips and suggestions and a sample party schedule

Length of your total party: From the moment the children arrive to the time the children leave the average length of parties 2 ½ hours Example  Party 12noon to 2:30pm

12noon to 12:10pm arrival:

Get your child to make up name stickers for all the kid's that are coming…when each child arrives they should be greeted at the door and the name sticker is put on their shirts.  If you are not giving out lootbags then a thank you card (made by the birthday child) is an alternative.

12:10pm to 12:25pm:

Do a game (pin the tail on the donkey) or a craft (making a party hat) photo taking

12:25pm to 12:45pm:

Serve up the pizza or hot dogs and a small drink.  Photo taking

Not a big enough table?If there is not enough room at the table put old sheet on the floor and then place a plastic throw away table cloth or paper table cloth on top and get the kid's to sit around and put food in the center.  After the kid's are done eating just wrap up table cloth and throw out.

12:50pm to 1:30pm

Have your entertainment ex. Magic show and animal balloon making

1:30pm to 2:15pm

Serve the cake and open the presents.  Photo taking

2:15pm to 2:30pm

Do a game or craft.  Parents will start picking up their children during these last 15 minutes.  Get the birthday boy or girl ready to hand out the lootbags as they escort their guests to the door to say goodbye and thank you.

Don'ts

Never feed pizza then cake right after each other.  Their tummies are too small too handle both meals at one time.  Also their attention span is very short so keep them moving.

Do's

Have video battery fully charged the night before.  Have extra 35mm film available for those extra shots.  Names should be put on with markers on paper cups/ bottom of plates/ place settings/ loot bags.