Planning your kid's party can sometimes feel like a chore when what it should really be is an opportunity for you and your family to spend some quality time together and have a little fun.

This hub will show you how to make the most out of the time you spend planning your party so that it is enjoyable for everyone, no stressed out parents and no impatient kid's!

Follow these simple instructions and you can not only enjoy the party but the preperations too! Kids parties are supposed to be fun!

Party planning - what type of birthday party?

The very first thing you need to do when you are planning on throwing a kids birthday party is to decide on the type of party you want to have. There are more options than you think!

Here are some factors to consider

1. the size of the party
2. the location - at home or a party venue?
3. the party budget - an all out themed birthday party with many kids or a cosy family get together 
4. the time you can spend planning the party
5. the resources available to you

After you have considered these factors and you are happy with your party goal, you can move on to the next step - picking the party date

This may seem obvious but picking the right day for your kid's bithday party is very important, you should allow three weeks at least for planning your party (slightly more if you plan on buying party supplies online, which can be a great time and money saver), but don't start worrying - it will not take you three weeks to plan!

The first week is for you to decide on the type of party you want to have, your party budget, and where you plan on having the party, having the party at home allows you a little more flexibility but a party venue takes a lot less planning although it tends to be more expensive.

The start of the second week is when you should send out the party invitations, this allows parents plenty of time to respond and gives you an idea of the attendance you can expect. Once you have a rough figure of how many kids (and parents) will be attending the party you can start the real planning, party food, party supplies and games (all the fun stuff)

The third week is for planning your party menu and gathering the party supplies and decorations you will need and this is where most of the work will come in, but it is also the time you can really get your kid's involved and enjoy some time together.

So, pick a day, allowing the three weeks beforehand for the party planning, try and pick a day that you know most of the kids will be available and that their parents will also be available. Once you have done this you can start the real party  planning.

Once you have decided on the where, when and what type of kids party you can start thinking about the fun stuff like party decorations, party supplies, invitations, party bags, party themes and so much more

I wont go into detail about all the different birthday party themes you could have for your kids party because there are so many (there is a link list at the bottom full of great party sites to help you out) but here is an overview of what you should do and how you can make planning your kids party fun!

• Pick the party theme, do this with your kids, it is their party after all, so let them decide (within reason and according to budget) maybe they have a favourite character in mind for the party theme? or maybe they want a unique theme like a princess or dinosaur theme, 
• Write out a basic party food menu, pick a selection of sweet and savoury party recipes, you can get your kids to look through recipe books for ideas and if you have the time you can even try out some of the recipes with your kids - kids love to cook and it really helps them feel involved and important (which they are)
• Write the party invitations, or if you are not buying the invitations - get the kids to design some! its great fun!, there are also many free downloadable birthday party invitations available online that you can download and get the kids to colour them in.
• Party shopping - regardless of the type of birthday party you are having there will be some expenses, party decorations, party tableware, balloons, party food and treats for the party bags, either shop around for ideas or look online for party supplies - there are many choices available!

The week before the birthday party is the time to gather the party supplies you need, organise the house for the party (if you are having the party at home) or confirm the venue if you are having the party somewhere else. Here is a list of the things you need to do in the last week

1. Ring the guests to confirm attendence
2. Check through your party supplies to make sure you have everything you need (do you need batteries for your camera?)
3. Shop for the party food (best left until a day or two before the party)
4. Relax!! its a party - its supposed to be fun, the most successful kids parties are the ones where the host is enjoying themselves too!

Childrens party themes and supplies  - This site has a great range of products for kids parties from tableware to tiaras, character themes and party accessories

More tips on planning your childrens party with recipe ideas and step by step party planning for all different types of kids parties