Fun Birthday Party Planning Timeline

A birthday party planning timeline to help keep your birthday party fun and manageable.

What You Need To Know

2 to 3 weeks

2 to 3 days

The Day before your party

Set The Date Of Your Party

Start things off by deciding on the date of your child's party. Since your child's actual birthday may fall on a school day or on or near a holiday, local event or other festivities.

You should select a date to celebrate this special occasion that won't become a scheduling problem for your guests.

Your Birthday Party Location

Where are you going to host your child's party? In your own home, someone else's home, in your back yard, in a park, at the zoo, in a restaurant or some other location?

If your party will take place away from home, you'll need to make sure the location you want is available and then you need to reserve the location well in advance.

How Many Guests Should You Invite

The general rule of thumb regarding how many guests to invite is based on the age of your birthday child.

For children 1 to 6 years of age, invite one guest for every year of your child's age.

In other words, if your child will be 2 years old, invite 2 guests. If your child will be 6 years old, invite 6 guests.

While this rule is a good guide, I think it really comes down to how many guests you feel comfortable managing. Other considerations include the size of your party location and your party budget.

If your child is old enough, make sure you include them in deciding who to invite.

Choose Your Birthday Party Start And End Times

The age of your child has a lot to do with what time to start and end your party.

Little ones need their naps and you can't interrupt their normal schedule or you'll have a grumpy birthday child on your hands (not to mention their guests).

So pick a time well before or after their lunch time, or after their nap so they'll be rested and in a good mood.

For older children you might want to include lunch as part of your celebration.

*A Tip From Grandpa Mike

Do yourself a very big favor by choosing a time to start your birthday party and a time to end your party.

This way you won't get stuck with a house-full of kids after the parties long been over.

By setting an end time and including it in your invitation, all the parents will know exactly when they need to pick up their children.

Choose Your Birthday Party Theme

Once you've chosen your kid birthday party theme everything else will just kind of fall into place - Why you ask?

Good question - Because your party theme will help determine your creative invitations, decorations, decoration colors, party plates, cups, bowls, your cake, games, activities, crafts, party favors, party music, videos and just about everything else.

Order Your Birthday Supplies and Invitations

Once you've decided on your birthday party date, location, start and end time, guest list and theme, you can go ahead and order your party supplies

Book Entertainment

If your plans include live entertainment, now is the time to book them for your party date.

Time To Send Your Invitations

To give your invited guests plenty of time to RSVP for your party, you need to put together a fun, creative invitation and send it out early.

Birthday Invitation Wording

You'll love these creative, fill-in-the-blanks templates for Instant Birthday Invitation Wording to help you put together an invitation that will have your invited guests so excited about your party.

Plan Your Party Games And Activities

Depending on the length of your birthday party and the age of your guests, choose 4 to 6 games and activities.

If your child is old enough, remember to let them help you decide which games, activities and crafts to do at their party.

Start Picking Up Prizes, Favors, Props, Craft Supplies, Video, CDs and Batteries

You really don't want to leave this to the last minute.

Decide On Your Menu

If your serving a meal at your party, this is the time to decide on your menu.

Your Cake

Its birthday cake time!

If you're planning to order your cake, now's the time. Think yummy thoughts and remember to get a cake that matches your theme.

Birthday Party Help

Now is also a great time to ask for help with your party.

Pick up food

and any ingredients needed to prepare your food.

Don't forget those birthday candles.

craft supplies

Remember paper, crayons, glue and any other craft supplies you'll need.

Start organizing your prizes and party favors.

Remember to get film and batteries for your camera and to get that video camera ready.

Call any of your invited guests who have not RSVP'd.

The Day Before Your Birthday Party

Time to bake your cake or pick it up.

Now is the time to order takeout food.

Remember to clean up your party area and don't forget to make it child safe.

Day Of Your Party

Time to decorate

Put some party theme balloons on your mail box and decorate your front door.

Get that cake ready to go and don't forget the matches.

Set up your craft area.

Organize your activities.

Remember something for you to write on (paper) and something to write with (for keeping track of who gave which gift and who guessed how many jelly beans are in the jar).

If you have pets, you might want to consider removing them from your party area.

Talk to your party child about party manners, being a good host and thanking everyone for their gifts.

Set your table.

Get that camera ready to go (remember to put in fresh batteries.

Take Lots Of Pictures

Your child and all their party guests are going to have so much fun. So take lots of pictures to preserve your precious memories. And did you know that the Kodak EasyShare Gallery is the perfect place to share your pictures with family and friends.

Party Theme Music

Put your party theme DVD in your DVD player and put your theme music in your CD player.

Now it's time for your fun kid birthday party.

Your Birthday Party Planning Timeline has brought you through the entire process without a hitch.

Your Party Planning

Kid Birthday Party Ideas

Child Birthday Party Supply List

Kids Party Planning

Have FUN

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