|
When |
Task |
Complete |
|
4-6 weeks prior to party |
Choose a theme
with your child |
|
|
|
Create a party
folder or file - this is for your to
record all your ideas and
developments for the party |
|
|
|
Consider a
date and time and check with key
friends and relatives if the date is
suitable |
|
|
|
Confirm date
and time |
|
|
|
Determine an
affordable budget (allow $10-20 per
child) and plan you party budget
(see
children's
party budget) |
|
|
|
Generate a
guest list with consideration of
your budget |
|
|
|
Choose a
location for the party and make
reservations |
|
|
|
For a party at
a park, check with the local council
if there are any regulations you
need to follow. |
|
|
|
If you are
having the party at a venue, discuss
with management what you a required
to bring on the day and what they
will supply for you such as
decorations. Also discuss whether
you are able to bring your own
decorations and how much time you
have to decorate the room and when. |
|
|
|
Book
entertainment E.g.. Clown, fairy
(get in early, good entertainers get
booked well in advance) |
|
|
|
Develop a
party agenda E.g.. 12-12:30 guest
arrivals and free play time, 12:30-1
Entertainment, 1-1:15 games
1:15-1:45 Food and refreshments,
1:45-2 games, 2-2:30 arts and
crafts, 2:30-3 free play time. |
|
|
4 weeks prior |
Plan games,
activities, arts and crafts -
determine prizes and supplies you
will need for the games and
activities. Create a list of these
supplies so you know what to look
out for when shopping. |
|
|
|
If hiring
caterers, book their service now. |
|
|
|
Make or
purchase invitations. |
|
|
|
Create a
contingency plan for an indoors
party (only if you are having an
outdoors party) |
|
|
3 weeks prior |
Send
invitations, be sure to specify an
RSVP date so you can confirm number
(make the RSVP date a week before
the party) |
|
|
|
Begin plans
for the cake. If you are making the
cake from scratch, bake the cake,
freeze it until closer to the party. |
|
|
|
If you are
purchasing a cake, order the cake
and arrange for the cake to be ready
the morning of the party day. |
|
|
|
Arrange help
from family members and friends -
you will need help on the day with
supervision, games and activities
and food. |
|
|
|
Make a list of
things you will need on the day such
as extra tables, serving platters
and other supplies. |
|
|
2 weeks prior |
Ask friends
and family if you are able to borrow
extra supplies such as tables and
chairs etc. |
|
|
|
Contact party
hire for extra supplies such as
tables if you are unable to obtain
these items from your friends and
family. Arrange a booking for these
items. |
|
|
|
Create a
decorations and venue plan (if
having the party at home) - consider
where power points are for music and
where you can hang things such as
balloons and props. This may not be
necessary if having the party at a
venue. |
|
|
|
Begin making
decorations and props (if required)
- get your child to help |
|
|
|
Create a party
food menu and a shopping list for
food supplies. |
|
|
|
Organise Music
for the party - you may like to
discuss this with your child. |
|
|
|
Consider what
you will give as party bags and
write a list of supplies. |
|
|
1 week prior |
Gather extra
party supplies such as tables,
chair, serving platters. |
|
|
|
Go shopping
and purchase all supplies for party
bags, decorations and food that can
be prepared in advance and frozen.
Also purchase supplies to decorate
the cake. It is quicker to spend a
day shopping to get all your
supplies together. However, you may
prefer to break this up over the
weeks leading up to the party. |
|
|
|
Prepare any
foods that can be frozen until the
party - try making a different party
dish each night of the week to
decrease the daunting task of
preparing food for a large group. |
|
|
|
Follow up with
guests who are yet to RSVP |
|
|
|
Prepare your
party clothes - choose what the
party child, siblings and you will
wear on the day so you're not
worried about it when you don’t have
the time. |
|
|
5 days prior |
Make thank you
cards for guests who will be
attending |
|
|
|
Prepare party
bags |
|
|
2-3 days prior |
Go shopping
for remaining party supplies
(perishable items that cannot be
frozen) and any supplies you have
forgotten along the way. |
|
|
Day before |
Defrost the
cake |
|
|
|
Clean and
child-proof the party area (s) |
|
|
|
Set up party
area - lay out tables, paper plates,
forks and activity and game areas. (
if the party is outside you may need
to wait until the party day. |
|
|
|
Charge the
camera and video camera. |
|
|
|
Hang
decorations and place props (for an
outdoors party you may need to wait
for the party day) |
|
|
|
Prepare your
family's party clothes - wash, iron
etc. |
|
|
Party Day! |
Decorate cake
(allow 1-2hours) |
|
|
|
Prepare
remaining food such as fresh food
platters with fruit and cheese. |
|
|
|
Finish setting
up games and activities |
|
|
|
Quick tidy up
of the party area and house |
|
|
|
Get ready to
party! |
|
|
|
Have Fun! |
|
|
|
Clean up once
guests have left. |
|
|
Day after |
Finish
cleaning up party area |
|
|
|
Return hired
party supplies |
|
|
2-3 days after |
Return
borrowed party supplies |
|
|
|
Put away props
to be kept for future party use |
|
|
|
Have your
party pictures developed! |
|
|
|
Create a photo
album dedicated to the day. |
|
|
|
Email some
pictures to guests and relatives. |
|
