Party planning tips and guidelines to make your next birthday party a success.

Photography: Birthday

Staging successful children’s birthday parties requires planning, resourcefullness and a healthy amount of energy. Luckily, there are many resources available online to help you out. Here are just a few to get you started.

First of all keep in mind these four points suggested by The Creative Kids at Home website when planning a birthday party:

• The Birthday party is for the birthday child and his or her friends
• Get someone to help you during the party
• Keep manners in mind
• Make sure there are plenty of activities

Birthday Planning Checklists

For a Step by Step Party Planning Checklist in point form starting from a month out right to the big day check out this Birthday Planning Guide.

Quick tips you may not have thought about for birthday planning are available in this Educationl Birthday Parties article.

If you work better with a list, there’s a step by step Birthday Planning Checklist on the Birthday In A Box site. You can download a nice single page pdf checklist as well.

Kids Birthday Party Theme Ideas

Are you running out of ideas? Looking for something different? Check out the Amazing Moms site for an extensive list of themes, party games, and party planning tips.

For another list of Birthday Theme Ideas you can get a head start with this article from Canadian Parents on Birthday Party Planning.

Children’s Birthday Party Length

Finally, if you’re wondering how long is suitable for a child’s party, here are some guidelines:

• One Year Old: 30-60 minutes
• Two Year Old: 1 to 1.5 hours
• Three Year Old: 1 to 2 hours
• Four- Five Year Old: 2 hours
• Six Year Old: around 3 hours