The Truth About Birthday Parties

… From Parents (and Kids!) Who've Been There


By Carol Band


If you've ever lain awake at night worrying about your child's birthday party, you're not alone.


What if the kids hate the games you've planned? What if it rains? What if your child's best friend can't come? Planning a birthday party is stressful. Maybe that's why there are so many books and Web sites offering ideas for games, themes and decorations. Great stuff - but how do you know what will work?


If you want truly helpful hints, you have to talk to real parents about real parties. That's what we've done: From party themes to thank-you notes, here are answers to all of your birthday party questions, from a party pro and real "experts-in-the-know" - parents.


Question: 15 kids, is that too many?


You've probably heard the rule that you should invite as many kids to the party as there are candles on the cake. Ten friends for a 10-year-old; four friends for a 4-year-old. But not everyone follows this decree.


From the Party Pro …






The Perfect Party?

If you're planning a two-hour birthday party, but have no idea how to fill that time, check out "Birthday 101" for a time-tested schedule of activities, games, cake, ice cream and presents.



"Four kids! That's not a celebration, that's dinner with your family!" says Sharron Krull, party planner and author of That Was the Best Party Ever! How to Give Parties Your Kids Will Never Forget. Krull insists there are no hard-and-fast rules. Party budget, space constraints and your child's wishes all help determine the size of the guest list.


… And Parents in the Know



Charlotte Pierce's daughter had a fairy-themed indoor party for her sixth birthday. Pierce invited 18 kids to create fairy houses out of moss, bark, twigs and dried flowers. But the project and the invite list proved to be too much.


"Some of the kids were really high-energy and just wanted to run around. It was a huge mess," Pierce recalls. "The twigs collapsed, so I had to use a glue gun, and there was lots of waiting around. The houses were sweet, but I was a wreck and it was frustrating for the kids. Eighteen was way too many kids for such an involved project. Never again."


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