by Stacey Schifferdecker

Does it seem like kids’ birthday parties are getting a little more extravagant every year? My daughter recently went to a party that featured two bounce toys and two clowns doing face painting and balloon animals, plus a craft table, a piñata, and goodie bags. The latest trend in my son’s class is to rent the entire skating rink for a couple hours.

Of course, the kids have fun at these parties and if the parents can afford a big, expensive party, they have every right to throw one. But those of us who can’t afford to spend hundred of dollars on a birthday party can still throw affordable parties that are fun for everyone.

Set a Budget – and Stick to It
Your first step in keeping a birthday party affordable is to decide how much you want to spend. Don’t be tempted into a “My child’s birthday party must be the biggest and best” competition. If your child wants something for the party that will break the budget, tell him or her they have to drop something else.

Stay at Home
You don’t have to rent a skating rink or a room at a pizza place to have a fun party. In fact, if you have a party at a pizza place or bounce house, the kids tend to spend their time playing with the stuff instead of interacting with each other. They can have a great time playing in your back yard

If you truly don’t want to have your child’s birthday party in your home, explore other inexpensive options, such as a park or your church. We have had several birthday parties in our church gym, and it is great because there is plenty of room for the kids to run around, as well as a playground right outside the door.

Limit the Guest List
You really don’t need to invite everyone in your child’s class, as well as all their neighborhood friends, cousins, and the kid they met at the pool last week. One suggestion I have read is to invite the same number of guests as your child’s age – so a five-year-old would have five guests. I always found that a bit too limiting, but definitely keep the guest list at a number you are comfortable with and that includes your child’s true friends.

Of course, you don’t want anyone to feel out, so mail invitations rather than handing them out at school, and teach your children not to talk about their parties when they are around children who aren’t invited.

Keep it Simple
Kids really don’t need professional entertainers or rented equipment to have a good time. One year the favorite game at my son’s Spy Party was looking for the bomb (a kitchen timer) before it exploded (dinged). The kids wanted to play over and over again. Another year, we timed a Construction Party around the arrival of a load of dirt for the garden. The kids had a grand, dirty time pushing toy cars round the dirt pile.

Let your child pick a theme and then plan some simple games and crafts to go along with it. The internet is full of party ideas you can borrow. Just don’t sweat it if the kids don’t want to play your games. If they’re having fun just playing tag in the backyard, then let them!

Friends, fun, and cake and ice cream – what more does a birthday party need?

Biography
Stacey Schifferdecker is the happy but harried mother of three school-aged children—two boys and a girl. She is also a freelance writer, a Children’s Minister, a PTA volunteer, and a Scout leader. Stacey has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and French and a Master’s degree in English. She has written extensively about parenting and education as well as business, technology, travel, and hobbies.

No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any form without the express permission of More4Kids Inc © 2007 All Rights Reserved

The children’s birthday party circuit can get downright expensive, especially if you have a couple kids being invited to birthday parties. But you can give great and creative birthday presents without breaking your budget.

• Sidewalk chalk
• Hot wheels cars
• Art supplies
• Magazine subscriptions
• Sand toys
• Water toys (you can get great deals at the end of summer)
• Flashlights
• Beauty supplies (hair items, lip gloss, fingernail polish, etc.)
• Books

Every party needs fun games. Summer seems to have a lot of birthday parties. I wonder if it is because of the cold winters? I have brainstormed some of my favorite games from childhood. Here is a list my favorites. Enjoy, and if you have any fun ideas click here to leave a comment and tell us your favorites.

Crazy Faces: Mess factor: 0
Suitable age: Pre-teen and younger
Supplies needed: disposable cameras or digital cameras

Directions: Let kids take turns snapping pictures of each other making crazy faces. The object of this game is to see who can make the craziest face. Kids can take a vote and give a prize to the craziest face.

Pass the Egg: Mess factor: 10
Suitable age: All ages
Supplies needed: eggs, spoons

Directions: Group kids into pairs. Place one egg on a spoon, and then have a child to place the end of the spoon between their teeth. One child walks halfway to the finish line, and then passes the egg (from one spoon to the other) to their partner’s spoon. The partner then attempts to reach the finish line without breaking the egg. The object of this game is for partners to successfully pass the egg from one spoon to another and reach the finish line without splattering the egg everywhere.

Side note: This game is best played outdoors because of the mess factor. 

Silly Story: Mess factor: 0
Suitable ages: Younger children
Supplies needed: articles of clothing, odd accessories (costume jewelry, floppy hats, etc.)

Directions: Sit kids in a circle. Make a pile of the story-telling items in the center of the circle. The first child starts the silly story by selecting a piece of clothing or an accessory from the pile. She puts it on, then makes up a silly story line. Example: A child might say something like, “Suzie needed a gallon of milk, but her hair was too short so she put a hat on her head.” While saying this, the child places a hat on her head. The next child follows in suit, choosing something from the clothing pile and putting it on while adding to the story. The story continues in the circle until every dress-up item is used and the story has ended. The object of this game is to have fun making up a silly story and dressing up.

Shave the balloon: Mess factor: 10
Suitable ages: Pre-teens or teens
Supplies needed: balloons, shaving cream, disposable razors, and newspapers (optional)

Directions: Blow up balloons before party time. Spread shaving cream all over a balloon. Let kids take turns “shaving” a balloon. The object of this game is to shave your balloon completely without popping it.

Side note: This game should be played outdoors because of the mess factor. If playing indoors, spread newspaper on the floor before you begin.

More Fun Ideas for Outdoor Kid Party Games

Summer is here and if you have a party more than likely there will be some outdoor activities. Here are some ideas Kids love playing outdoors. What better way to make a party fun, than to plan some fun outdoor party games! Here are some ideas to get you started:

THREE-LEGGED RACE
Pair off children and tie their right and left legs together. Race from one end of the yard to the other.  The team that makes it to the end of the yard first wins the race.

JUMP ROPE CONTEST
Take turns racing, while jumping rope, from a beginning to ending marker. The child that reaches the end first without falling wins.

YARD SPRINKLER
Many department stores carry fun sprinklers that you can attach to your garden hose. These are always a huge hit for outdoor kid parties. Just screw the sprinkler into the end of the hose, set it in the middle of your yard, and let the kids have fun running through the water.

BADMINTON
Just about every kid loves badminton. Set up a net and separate kids into teams for a fun game of badminton. Play quick matches of 15 points, then mix up the teams and start all over again.

WATERMELON SEED-SPITTING CONTEST
Cut big slices of watermelon and pass out to all the kids. See who can spit their watermelon seeds the farthest.

CRAFTS AND PICTURE PAINTINGFor something different, try crafts or picture painting and hold a contest for the best picture or craft.

WATER BALLOON TOSS
This is another fun outdoor game for kids. After running through the yard sprinkler, have water balloons ready to go. Group kids together in pairs. Let them take turns tossing the balloons to each other from a distance. The pair that ends up with the remaining water balloon in tact wins. 

This month, families get together to celebrate the birth of a Savior, a very big event which often overshadows another VERY big event in the eyes and hearts of a child.
THEIR BIRTHDAY!

BiographyMichelle Donaghey is a freelance writer and mother of two boys, Chris and Patrick, who are her inspiration. She lives in Bremen, Indiana just south of South Bend, home of Notre Dame. When she isn’t writing, Michelle can be found in her perennial flower garden or working on small home improvement projects. Michelle has written for parenting publications including Metro Kids, Atlanta Parent,Dallas Child, Great Lakes Family, Family Times and Space Coast Parent and websites including iparenting.com.

No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any form without the express permission of More4Kids Inc © 2006 – 2007 

Sitting here on Thanksgiving I am thinking about all I have to be grateful for. While my health is much to be desired, God has blessed me with a great family. A Mother I love dearly, a sister and her family, and my own family. Thinking about some of the special times with my own family I dug up some pictures of my sons first birthday. I can't believe it was only 3 and a half years ago. Time really flys!

"Umm, what is this?"  

"Whatever this is it is good stuff!"

"What, no more?!"

 Your got to love them!! We all have a lot to be grateful for. From our family to yours happy Thanksgiving!!

by Karen Sibal

Continued from Part 1

1. Today’s Parent Magazine, Birthday Party Planner, www.todaysparent.com. 

2. San Jose Families, www.sanjosefamilies.com 

3. Eisenberg, Arlene, Heidi E. Murkoff and Sandee E. Hathaway (1989), What to Expect the First Year (pp 363-364). 

4. Eisenberg, Arlene, Heidi E. Murkoff and Sandee E. Hathaway (1994), What to Expect the Toddler Years) (pp 300, 452).

Biography

Karen Sibal is a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant. She is the owner of Sibal Writing and Consulting, a firm that specializes in public policy research and effective communications and web solutions for all types of organizations.  Over the past 15 years, Karen has done work for local and provincial governments and several not-for-profit organizations.  Karen has written extensively on children’s issues and has recently helped with launching an association for mothers and children in her community. She is a member of the Halton-Peel Communications Association and has also served as the managing editor of a government child welfare journal. Karen is currently authoring a children’s book series for preschool children and keeps busy with various community projects.  

Posting Search Tags: Family Travel bithday

by Karen Sibal

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … and no, it’s not Christmas. It’s little Ashley’s or little Brendan’s birthday. And it’s crept up on you faster than you expected. Maybe you’re lucky and have a month to go before the big day, or perhaps you have just a few days. Nevertheless, your kid has begun the count down and has been relentlessly asking “Can I have a party, phuleeeeeese?!

So what’s a parent to do? If you decide to have THE party, how do you ensure it’s THE BEST party ever – one that’s a great hit with the kids and not a great hit on your wallet – while keeping your sanity in tact. Here’s a handy party planner that will help make the big celebration fun, original, memorable, affordable, and stress-free.

General Considerations

Date
Select a date and time that’s most convenient to you and the guests. When choosing the date, think about when your guests will be most likely to come. Check the calendar for important events or holidays that may come into conflict.

Timing is everything. Examine your child’s needs – for example, if you’ve got a toddler, it’s probably a good idea to schedule the party around afternoon nap times: late mornings can be the perfect time.  Also think about the time the party will finish. This will depend on how long you think the children can go without getting fussy. As a general guideline, for young children, 1 ½ or 2 hours is probably adequate.

Guest List
How many kids do you invite? The general rule of thumb is to invite the number of guests for every year of your child’s age, for example, if your child is turning five, invite five guests. However, if you and your child feel comfortable having more (or less), that’s ok too. 

Are you extending invitations to parents, or would you prefer they drop off their child for the party and pick them up later? If you’re having very young guests, parents will likely stay for the duration of the party.

Budget
How much do you want to spend on the big celebration? How much can you afford? Determining your budget is crucial at the start of your party planning. As you work your way through this party planner and BEFORE you spend any money, make a list of the things you will need and estimate how much they will cost. A little planning will ensure your party stays on track of what you can actually afford.

Posting Search Tags: Family Travel bithday