Birthday Party Central

Rule # 1 Only invite as many children as your child is old. If your child is 2-3 only invite two or three children to the party. More than that will overwhelm your child.

Rule # 2 Keep it simple on the big day. You want to enjoy your child's birthday party, it only comes around once a year. Plan food and activities you can prepare ahead so the party day is a breeze. You'll have enough to worry about with the guests and the birthday child.

Rule # 3 Make sure you have plenty of film in the camera, and camcorder to capture all those magic moments. Have a trusted relative or friend be the designated photographer for the day.

Rule # 4 Plan age appropriate activities. Keep the activities as simple as possible and you'll keep from pulling your hair out.

Purchase a large poster board, or photo mat, and put a photo of the birthday child, or a photo of the birthday child and friends in the center, let the children decorate around the photo with theme stickers, theme magazine clippings, markers, glitter (if you're daring), additional photos,or theme stamps.

Use items related to the theme of the party, if you have a princess party use princess stamps, and stickers, or even the little stick on jewels. If you have a jungle party use jungle animals. There are so many different stickers and stamps out there finding your theme should be a snap.

When you're done the birthday boy or girl will have a great keepsake from their birthday party.

You don't have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to party games. Some of the oldest games work the best when you're trying to figure out how to entertain a group of children. Most children already know the rules and understand how to play these old familiar favorites. This means less explanation from you, and more playtime for the kids.

If you've overlooked a game because you don't think it fits the theme of your party, think again. Many old favorites can be tweaked a little, or maybe just renamed to fit the theme of your party.

Pin the tail on the donkey is one of the most versatile games there is. All you need is a blindfold, Something to be pinned, and something to pin on. If you're having a farm or tractor party, just draw a large tractor on a whiteboard, or poster board. Cut a tractor wheel out of black cardstock, or construction paper. Use sticky tack on the back of the tire to help it stick repeatedly, or have a helper hold the tire in place until you can mark the exact spot, and the initials of the person who last pinned.

Pin the tail on the donkey can also be renamed as pin the tail on the mermaid, pin the cord on the microphone (for American Idol, Hannah Montana, Rockstar, or Karaoke theme birthday parties). You can also try pin the tail on the Pikachu (Pokemon), pin the horn on the unicorn, pin the hook on the pirate, the tiara on the princess, and I think you get the idea. All you need is an imagination, a poster board, some markers, and construction paper to change pin the tail on the donkey to fit your party theme. Don't forget the blindfold!

Another fun game that's easy to adapt is hot potato. Instead of a potato you can have an object to fit your theme. Some titles might include, Don't Get Caught With Hannah Montana's Hat, Don't Be Left Holding the (beach, base, foot, soccer, basket) ball (for a sports theme or beach party). Use a soft Nerf type ball in case someone gets hit. If your having a jungle, dog, cat, dinosaur, Webkinz, or unicorn party use a soft stuffed version of the animal for the "hot potato," and make up a name to fit. Whoever is left holding the "hot potato" when the music stops is out of the game.

Easter egg hunts can also adapt to several party themes. Rename them dinosaur egg hunts, Poke-ball hunt, or hide party favors for your theme around the yard or house and let the children find them.

A relay race is simple and works very well with most party themes. For a beach party you can have the children divide into teams. Each team will have to grab several beach related items (a towel, a pair of flippers and a snorkel, a beach ball) and race down to a marker and back. They then hand the items off to the next person who races down, until everyone on the team has gone.

You can make this a dress up relay for older children, the dress up relay works well for princess or pirate parties. Have a costume ready for each team to put on. Each person on the team has to put on the costume, race down and back, take off the costume and hand it off to the next person in line.

I think you get the idea, just use your imagination, and any game (with a little tweaking) can fit your party theme. If you play a game that the children are already familiar with they will be less nervous, they'll be able to focus on the game, and have more fun.

Limbo Party Music CD & Inflatable Limbo Stick
See how low they can go with this collection of 16 authentic limbo songs including "Limbo Rock" and "Under the Limbo Stick." (CD only; Inflatable Limbo Stick sold separately)


Balloon Animals Kit - $ 9.99
Balloon animals kit contains everything you need to make 10 twisty balloon animals (20 twisty balloons, inflator, instruction book)



Mini Cupcake Kit - $ 14.99
Great for a baking party or sleepover, this cupcake kit includes nearly everything you need to bake up a great time! (Recipe and instructions, paper "chefs" hat, sprinkles, frosting, cupcake mix, wooden spoon and paper liners. Cupcake pan not included)



Sandy Candy Party Activity - $ 19.99
They'll create colorful candy concoctions with this sweet activity. Includes 8 bottles of edible "sand" to mix and match, plus 10 plastic tubes for filling. Ages 4+.


Pin the Tail on the Donkey game - $ 1.99
Classic Favorite - Pin the Tail on the Donkey Game.

Check out ShindigZ.com - the World's Largest Party Superstore
They have everything you could ever need for a great party. Every party theme you could imagine. If you are planning a birthday party, wedding, bachelorette party, graduation party, bridal or baby shower, family get together, or holiday party, you have to check out this store.

They have a huge selection, and great prices. Click on the banner below and use the promo code to save ten percent on your $100 order.