I love planning parties especially when they are for my kiddos! Their level of excitement makes every detail so worth the work! Regardless if it’s for birthdays, holidays, summer fun, or if they just need time with some friends… we like to go all out. So for Easter we decided to have a party & invite some friends over.
Obviously when you’re talking about a large group of kids you want to keep things moving pretty quickly & messy! Yes I said it, messy!! Trust me if I can handle the mess we made at this party, ya’ll can handle it (We must have broke an all time record high). But for real… you aren’t going to keep their attention long if you are more worried about keeping the space clean and quiet. Let them be!
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So here we go…
First thing you need to do is decide on the food & the drinks that you want to serve. Make it easy, fast, & fun. Sweets of course are always welcome! We planned for hotdogs & s’mores because we had plans to build a campfire… but the rain decided otherwise.
Next, I always pick some fun crafts to do. All kiddos love crafts. We of course added egg dying to our craft list since it was an Easter party! It’s okay to get the paint and glitter out, if you need to just move the crafts on the porch or in the yard! It’s so amazing what kids can create if you just throw some materials out there. (In my house we keep a craft cart full of supplies so they can craft away anytime!)
Then have an exciting activity ready! We decided on a glow stick dance party on the back porch. They LOVED it and we hid eggs inside while they danced away. After the egg hunt they insisted on finishing the dance party and the adults got to sit down for a few minutes and catch up on life.
Lastly, be spontaneous! A few years ago all of this would have been harder for me because a messy house did not ever make me happy. But now seeing these kiddos faces while they threw confetti all over my kitchen was absolutely priceless.
You see mom and dad….. they are only little once!!! Let them be little! They only have a short period of time to make memories that will linger with them forever. Let them make amazing memories! So set them up for success and create an atmosphere that they want to be in. And within that atmosphere, be involved and stay engaged! Years from now when my crew talks about memories from their childhood…. I want to be in those memories!
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10 Party tips:
- Take tons & tons of pictures!!
- Be prepared! Especially when it comes to the food and crafts.
- Tidy up the house the night before!
- Help the “host mom” clean up.
- Make treats or treat bags for the kiddos that help clean up.
- If you’re the host, don’t wear your best outfit (it may make your guest feel uncomfortable, so just be comfortable).
- Have extra easy activities available (bubbles, hula hoops, coloring sheets, etc.).
- Use a sharpie marker to have everyone write their name on their cups! No one will lose their drink or drink someone else’s.
- Have fun with the kiddos and be involved!
- Take more PICTURES!!!
Now go plan your kiddos a party!! Take pictures and selfies! Love every messy moment. Be involved and as calm as you can be. Sometimes I have to pray for patience and humbleness right before the party starts… so that may help you too!!! Love ya’ll & go have a blast!
xoxo
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