How to plan a party at home

Does the thought of a load of kids running around your house fill you with dread? Are you starting to regret agreeing to a party in your home?

Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands because we’ve got the answer!

Here is the perfect 5 step guide to relieve your worries and have the party running smoothly and calmly from start to finish.

Step 1 – Timing is everything

This is a double whammy because not only is it best to choose a meal time (so over lunch or tea) so that you can incorporate food into the party but unless you have some sort of structured entertainment then it is a good idea to keep a house party to 1 ½ hours.

I find that a lot of parents worry that the games they have planned will not keep the children entertained for long enough but if the party is 1 ½ hours, then they can happily play games for an hour and then spend the rest of the time eating.

Step 2 – Entertainment

If you feel confident, you can organise and plan some traditional party games like pass the parcel, musical statues etc. If you are more of an introvert or just don’t have the time to plan, then it would be a good idea to book a children’s entertainer, craft party or book a bouncy castle if it’s summertime and the forecast is good.

Step 3 – Boundaries

Make sure that you block off any areas that you don’t want the children to enter. You can do this by putting a ribbon across the stairs with a polite sign, shutting doors but also by briefing the kids with some ground rules when they arrive. They will be kept occupied for most of the time, so this shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Step 4 – Decorations

Choose a theme and run with it! In my opinion, this is one of the biggest advantages of having a party at home because you have the time to put up decorations in your own time and in advance (putting up decorations takes longer than you think).

And finally, Step 5 – Food

Think about the age of the children, they usually don’t eat as much as you’d think and I often see parents grossly overestimate how much food they will need. If you are opting for hot food, make sure you have enough oven shelves to cook it all at once, or allow for the extra time to do it in batches.

If you opted for an afternoon party, then why not do afternoon tea? Put on a spread of mini sandwiches and cakes, but always check for any special dietary requirements because you don’t want anybody to feel left out.

So as you can see, in just 5 easy steps you can save yourself from any more sleepless nights worrying about the party.

If you’d like to find out more about a fully planned out craft party by Red Beau, just drop us a message and we’ll be happy to have a chat.