Important Tips for Children's Birthday Parties and Slumber Parties

Children love inviting their friends to birthday parties and sleepovers but there are many important factors that can be overlooked when planning your child's party. You should be very thorough when you are creating your child's party invitations so that you can eliminate any problems before the children arrive.

The first step to having a successful party is to sit down with your child and create a list of friends that your child would like to invite. Many people believe that you have to invite all of the children from your child's classroom but the truth is you don't have to. This holds especially true if you do not have the adequate space in your home to accommodate that number of children. Also, you may not be able to afford to pay for that number of children if you are planning on having your child's party outside of your home at a bowling alley, roller roost, etc.

You can also choose to invite only children that are the same sex as your child especially if it is a slumber party. Some parents may be uncomfortable with coed sleepovers.

When you create the invitations for your child's party make sure you are very specific with the details. This is important because you do not want parents wondering what time to drop off or pick up their children, or worrying about what they need to bring along with them.

You want to set a date a few days prior to the party for the parents to RSVP their child's spot. Sometimes parents are not to quick to RSVP, but if you make it sound as though the spaces are limited you should receive most of the calls prior to the date listed.

I find it useful to provide the parents with information about the party such as; what food will be served, what activities the children will partake in, and what the children need to bring along with them. It is also useful to ask the parents to make you aware of any food allergies their child may have to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

Also remember that some parents may not allow their children to play the same video games as your child or they may not allow them to watch certain movies and so on, so it is best to ask ahead of time if there are any restrictions regarding their child specifically.

Congratulations!!

Your Child's Name has personally invited YOU to attend his 12th Birthday Party Sleepover Event!

The party will begin at 4:00 on Saturday October 27th, and run until Sunday October 28th at 12:00 noon.

The party will be held at Your Address (or where the party is located)

The party activities will include:

• Video Games (PS3, XBOX 360, & Wii)
• Pool (billiards)
• 3-D Movies
• And the boys' personal music selections

The party menu will include:

• Pizza
• Wings
• Soda, Iced Tea, water, and other soft drinks
• Ice Cream Sundaes and Banana Splits (Sundae Bar for the guys to make their own!)
• Birthday Cake
• Chips, Pretzels, and other snacks

Spots are limited, so please confirm your reservation ASAP!!

PARENTS:

PLEASE respond as soon as possible to your child's name parents via:

• Your Phone Number
• Your Email

(*Please try to RSVP with confirmations or regrets no later than Friday October 13th to help us plan accordingly!)

• The boys/girls are welcome to bring their own sleeping bags, pillows, etc., but it is not necessary.
• Please let us know any food allergies so accommodations can be made in advance!
• If you have a "bedtime" preference for your child just let us know and it will be honored by all. (I imagine the children will be up late playing video games, shooting pool, watching movies, etc.)
• If you have a suggestion for a movie please include that in your response as well. (We were thinking of "Marvel: Avengers" in 3D on BluRay.)
• *If your child would like something specific added to the party menu please let us know! If they do not like the food we are serving we will be happy to get them something they like!
• Remember that drop-off time is at 4:00 pm on Saturday and pick-up time is at NOON on Sunday. (**Other arrangements can be made if necessary)
• We really hope you child can make it. Your Child's Name has personally selected the friends he wanted to invite!!

Thank you in advance for helping make Your Child's Name 12th Birthday Party GREAT!!

When parents call to RSVP their child's spot it is best to gather their information in case you would need to contact them once their child is under your supervision. It is better to ask this information in advance because once the children begin arriving to the party it can become hectic rather quickly. You should make sure you have their contact numbers and it is also best to ask who will be picking their child up from the party. You do not want to release their child to someone who was not permitted to pick them up! More than likely you will not need to call the childrens' parents but it is best to be prepared if an unexpected event causes you to do so!

Once the final guest list is prepared you can begin shopping and planning all of the specifics for a great party. You should always order extra food just in case someone calls to RSVP late or the children are just extra hungry the day of the party.

You should also let the children know what is expected of them and what their boundaries are while under you supervision. This will help prevent most negative behavior before it becomes an issue!