Kid Party Decorations made
EASY

Kids party decorations are essential for creating that perfect party atmosphere and it's amazing how far a few balloons can go.

The thing to remember is that you don't have to spend a fortune on kid party decorations. Think of all those scraps, loo rolls and old Christmas cracker hats lying around - get the idea?!.

A little imagination can go a long way and what's more the kids will have a great time helping you.

If you haven't got the time or the inclination to be creative well don't worry as I can point you in the direction of some good value party stores.

Decorating Tips and tricks

How many Guests...
How many children will there be, boys and/or girls?.....In our house we make a rule that you can invite the number of kids equal to your age. This avoids inviting the whole class if you don't have the space.

Ages...
What sort of age group will there be or will it be mixed?..... I find toddlers are less intertesetd in decorations but more intersted in toys and things to play with. Teenagers too too are less enthsued by decoratsions but the food and activities will be important to them. So don't go overbaord and plan decorations around what you can afford, the room itslef and the age group of the kids.

Tip: Don't forget that burst balloons create a choking hazard for the under threes so clear them up immediately.

Food...
Is it a sit down meal or buffet or will there just be snacks?.....Remember if it's a buffet, the guests will need somewhere to sit. We often lay down a big mat which all the kids sit on and have a sort of indoor picnic if it's too wet or cold to be outdoors.

Tip: To cut down on costs dont' have the party around a main meal time and that way you can get away with serving just a few snacks.

Space...
How many rooms do you want to decorate?.....Sometimes it's a good idea to make certain rooms out of bounds if you want to avoid too much mess and do remove fragile or precious items.

Kids do like space and there will be a lot of very excited guests. Push furniture back against the walls and tidy away any ornaments or furnsishings you don't want spoiled.

Tip: If you're very worried about your carpet/flooring, consider buying some cheap plastic sheets or grass mats to lay down.

Tip: I always write names on each cup and plate (or stick pictures on) to save mixing them up, as the kids always forget which one is theirs.

Music...
Do you want to have some music?.....Music appeals to all age groups and I always find that it gets the party atmosphere going at the beginning especially when some of the kids are a bit shy. It's also great for when you have run out of games towards the end of the party, and you need a rest!. By then the kids are often just happy to dance around.

Party/Favor Bags...
Will you be giving party/favor bags to take home?

I must admit I am always in two minds about this as some families go way over the top. When I was young, a balloon and a piece of the cake kept us very happy. Nowadays however party bags tend to be full of toys and sweets and parents spend a lot on them. In my experience, the children are just happy of the fact to have received a party bag and the contents aren't so important. Toddlers are just happy with a balloon. Sweets and candy I find are alwasy popular and if it's a theme party, a small figure/toy that represents the theme is a nice addition.

Something we do, is to play a game so that the children actually win/earn the party bag – naturally you will ensure that everyone gets a bag. Games that we play include treasure hunt or fishing for the bags out of a big bowl and the party bags are the fish (no water obviously!).

Tip: Get the host child to give out the party bags, as it is a nice way for them to say thank you to their guest.

Make your own kid party decorations

Here are a few kid party decoration ideas to get those creative juices going:

• Buy a cheap white paper tablecloth and get your child and/or the guests, to decorate it with felt pens.
• Make your own party bags using coloured cellophane and ribbon. Or try small plain grocery bags that you can decorate with glued on scraps or marker pens.
• Don't throw away used decorations. Bring them out for the next party - most kids will have forgotten that they had them the year before, especially if you add in the odd new thing.
• Make your own pinata - It's not difficult.
• Buy in bulk - you can never have too many balloons - as it works out much cheaper.
• If you see a particular store/cinema display that will match your party theme, ask the store if they will let you have it when they have finished with it. Often they just end up in the bin, so why not grab them first.
• If you are on a budget, it is amazing how balloons can add a whole new look to the scene and they are not expensive. Buy the biggest you can and cluster them rather than putting individual balloons around the place - it is much more effective that way.
• Create your own party banners using cheap drawing paper. You can often get it on a large roll in craft and school supply stores

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