What's the most difficult part of planning a birthday party for a child?

Coming up with a new or different theme.

Enough clowns, already! What else is there?

How about an Artists Party? If your child loves to draw, color, watercolor, sculpt with playdough, then you're set for a fantastic party!

I don't know why more parents don't host Artists Parties for their child's birthday! They're fun to put together, easy to manage, and your child will love it.

Your child, and one or two friends (yours, or your child's) can make the invitations by getting colored paper and markers.

First, you will need to either print the party details (where, when, time, details) at the bottom of the colored pages, or have them copied at a local copy shop. Once you have these details taken care of, then you're ready for your little artists final touches

Have your child draw images on each invitation. They don't have to be elaborate. Usually, it's best to choose a single image (a rainbow, a house and tree, a dog) and have the child repeat this drawing for each invitation.

If you're having a party for, say, a dozen children, it's not difficult for a child to make these in only a few afternoons. And won't it be fun to mail invitations that have been handmade by the Guest of Honor?

At the party: decide on an "art project" that everyone will make. It can be as simple, or elaborate as your budget (and interests) allow.

Art project idea: buy small sketchbooks (they can be found at art supply stores for about $3 each) and get plenty of magazines. Have each child choose a picture from the magazine and draw it (or draw several) in their sketchbooks.

Another art project idea: buy enough playdough for each child. Explain that their "sculptures" will be displayed in the "gallery" later in the day. Again, have magazines to inspire the children in terms of what they would like to make with their set of playdough.

Another art project idea: buy enough posterboard for each child. Get lots of magazines and provide blunt scissors and lots of gluesticks. Have each child make their own collage.

Make sure that what you serve follows your art theme -- have your local bakery put art images (an easel, a "framed" painting, a sculpture, paintbrush, etc.) on the top of the cake in addition to the "Happy Birthday."

Serve the cookies on palettes -- "palettes" are the flat boards that painters use to mix and access their oil paints. You can find them at art supply stores -- you only need two, or three at the most. They make the serving of the sweets a lot of fun.

Use your imagination -- what else can you use for the food that fits your "artist" theme?

I think the easiest way to come up with ideas is to go to your local art supply store. Walk around -- look at what they have -- what comes to mind? What can you use in a new or innovative way to make the party fun?

Turn a room in your home into an "art gallery"! It's easy -- clear one wall of pictures so that it is a "blank canvas" or clear a table for their playdough "art objects."

While the children are eating cake and drinking punch, set up their playdough sculptures, or attach to the walls (use paper gum -- it's easy to remove) their drawings and art.

After everyone has eaten, then you can have your "Art Opening" -- the children (and adults) will love seeing their child's drawings displayed like in an art gallery.

At the end of the party, each child will get to take their art project home -- it will serve as a wonderful momento of the fun time they had enjoying your child's birthday.

And what better way to celebrate your future artist!