Top 10 Party Survival Tips

Planning the Party

Choose your date carefully – It is important to avoid clashes with other events (school fairs, other parties, holidays, etc) to avoid disappointment. Book early to ensure you have your date!

Choose a reputable, full time Entertainer / Company who is insured, but equally importantly is enthusiastic and experienced when dealing with children. This is an essential factor to make the party a full success. Ask your friends whom they would recommend, and be aware that not all entertainers that are experienced are still in touch with the children of today.

Choose your venue - book both venue and entertainment as early as you can, because the best ones get reserved very early. InHouse Entertainments have an extensive database of venues and would be happy to advise you on a suitable location for your party.

Send out invitations early remembering to ask for details of any allergies or special dietary requirements to be included on the RSVP section. Make a list of who has replied and use this to check off the guests when they arrive at the party.

Aim to keep party food as simple as possible; children are not impressed by huge buffets. It is much easier to wrap up a plate of food or a party box and give one to each child during the food break. Children love this, as they are less dependant on the adults and feel grown up. It is quicker than queuing for food, easier to clean up and cheaper. Anyone with special diet requirements is not made to feel different, as the children all appear to have the same.

At The Party

Tie balloons to the front door to guide guests to the party. As you check off guests arriving at the party get a contact number from the parents who are not staying in case of emergencies.

If your entertainment is in the form of a show or workshop, it’s best to save party horns, squeakers and balloons until after, to save the entertainer having to compete with this cacophony of noises! If guests' parents have stayed, try to persuade them to move to another room if they want to chat amongst themselves to reduce distraction from the show or workshop.

Do ensure that a responsible adult remains in the room at all times; your entertainer is not a childminder. If you have booked a bouncy castle as entertainment, you will have been given a safety brief with guidelines to keep children safe while enjoying the activities.

If you are doing your own games, plan well in advance and have more than you think you will need. Try to avoid elimination games for younger children - they all want to be winners and cry when they are 'out'. Stock up on prizes for the games – chocolate and sweets are an obvious option (though be aware of nut or dairy allergies) but small toys and games are equally popular and a bit longer-lasting!

Party bags are a well-established end to children’s parties. If your party has a theme, try to include themed toys or gifts.

Don’t Forget

+ Batteries and film for the camera.
+ Matches to light the cake, and extra serviettes for eating off or cleaning up and the cake itself!
+ An abundance of kitchen roll and cloths for spillages, wipes for sticky hands and faces and rubbish bags to make cleaning up as quick and easy as possible.
Extra party bags for siblings who may stay unexpectedly.