How to Plan a Toddler Birthday Party

Many parents eagerly anticipate a toddler's birthday and decide to throw a birthday party to celebrate the happy occasion. However, a group of young party guests requires careful planning and preparation. Choose a theme that fits the personality of the birthday child and get busy planning. To keep the party going smoothly and everyone behaving, plan plenty of activities, delicious party food, and be sure to put together fun party favor bags so that everyone leaves happy.

Things You'll Need

• Invitations Party decor (hats, banner, balloons) Paper plates, napkins, cups and plastic utensils Party food Birthday cake and ice cream Party games Party crafts (white paper plates and crayons) Party favors in small bags

Instructions

1. Make the guest list. A birthday party for a toddler should not be a chaotic affair, if at all possible. Choose a few little friends and invite their parents and siblings as well.

2. Decide on a beginning and ending time for the party. A time that coincides with small children's nap schedules is a good idea so that everyone has napped.

3. Select a theme for the party. If the birthday child has a favorite cartoon character, try to create a party theme around the character. If there is no specific character, choose a generic theme such as puppies, fire trucks, butterflies or fairies.

4. Purchase party supplies and invitations that fit the party theme. Purchase party hats, paper plates, napkins, cups, plastic utensils, a party banner and balloons to decorate for the party.

5. Determine the party menu. Keep it simple with finger foods and appetizers on a buffet table for best results. You can set out all of the food, place paper plates and utensils near the food, and also place the cake on the table in a prominent position.

6. Plan to make the cake yourself or order it from a bakery. If you have a party theme, choose a cake that fits your theme. Another option is to serve cupcakes so that each guest can have their own tiny cake without having to cut and serve pieces of cake.

7. Choose party games. Choose more games than you expect to have time for so that you are prepared for anything that might come up at the party. Some appropriate toddler party games include London Bridge, a bean bag toss, indoor bowling, and ring around the rosy.

8. Plan a simple toddler craft. Prepare a white paper plate for each party guest. Make eight cuts in the center of the plate that resemble the way you would cut a pie. Leave the cuts intact and pass out the paper plates to the guests. Provide materials for decorating the plates. Keep the materials simple - crayons would be fine for this. After the plates are colored, fold each slit up (it's a triangle shape) and place the plates onto the heads of the children.

9. Assemble small party favor bags for the guests to bring home. If your party had a theme, choose small gifts and items that fit with the theme. If there was no theme, choose small toys that the children will enjoy and place them in the bags. The party favors are passed out at the end of the party.

References

• Toddler Birthday Parties
• Toddler Party Games