How to Throw a 10th Birthday Party

A tenth birthday is a big event in a child's life. At this age, your child is making the transition from childhood to a little adult. Soon, your child will be a teen. Children at this age want a party that is fun, yet not too childish. Involve your child in the planning to make sure you are throwing the perfect birthday party bash.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Involve your child in the birthday party planning process. At 10 years old, your child is starting to feel more grown up and ready to make decisions.

2. Set a budget for money that you are willing to spend on the party and let your child know the amount. A 10-year-old does not usually have a realistic grasp of the cost of things. You will need to help your child figure out the expected costs of different party ideas.

3. Discuss with your child whether a small party with a few close friends or a large party with a bunch of friends is wanted. At the preteen stage, some children may prefer to have a party with a few close friends.

4. Make birthday party suggestions. Your child may have a birthday party idea in mind. If your child does not have an idea, try suggesting different ideas. Popular birthday parties for 10-year-old children include a slumber party, bowling, a concert, the roller rink, a day at a theme park, dinner at a favorite restaurant, and a swimming pool party.

5. Make a list with your child of everything that is needed for the party. For example: food, party favors and reservations. At this age, children enjoy helping choose food and party favor items.

6. Make reservations if needed for the party.

7. Send birthday party invitations out at least two weeks in advance, so that kids and parents can block out their schedules for the party day. Request that the kids send an RSVP so that you can make the appropriate arrangements for food and reservations if needed. Steer away from childish invitations, meaning no cartoon characters. Ten-year-old children generally prefer more elegant adult invitations.

8. Enlist the help of other parents if the party is going to be large or at a theme park. Even though your 10-year-old may feel like an adult, preteens still need a lot of supervision in a party setting.

9. Buy party favors and have food arrangements made at least three days in advance so everything goes smoothly at the party.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintain a calm and relaxed demeanor at the party. Give the children as much freedom as safely possible. At 10 years old, the children do not want to feel like babies.

References

• Early Adolescence: Understanding the 10 to 15 Year Old; Caissy, Gail A.; 1994

Resources

• Birthday Party Games