Not another kids birthday party this weekend!

Its party time again! Was it really only a year since the last one? I always leave it too late and end up rushing the invites; trying to make sure I don’t double up on the date with another child from the same class, stress about booking an entertainer or venue and struggling to pick up the cake on the morning of the party. That’s when it finally clicked: after school! What possible negative reason is there to having a party after school? I can think of a couple but the positives seem to out weigh them for me; I’ve got all day (child free) to decorate the party area, arrange the food and party bags and prepare for my little guests. The cake can easily be picked up at my leisure and the entertainer is less likely to be booked out, especially at short notice. All the kids are together (if it’s a school class party - which the majority of 5-9 year old parties are). I just walk them all home, they should all be hungry at the same time as they have had recess and lunch together all day, we snack, have our entertainment, cut the cake and the parents pick them up at 5-530pm on their way home from work, no after school care needed for them that day. I then have the weekend free to enjoy some quality family time and perhaps a bit of a family celebration for my child's birthday with grown up drinks, and bbq.

It may not work for every family but it definitely makes things easier for a lot of families. Often kid’s parties at the weekend drag on forever.....the parents arrive to pick up the children and end up staying for a "quick" drink which lasts into the evening.

Many families like to have the child's friends for a couple of hours then have a family gathering. When you try to do them both one after the other, the poor birthday child is exhausted and doesn’t want their friends to leave. It’s a long day to be showered with presents and expected to smile and behave!

Consider the after school option, it may well work for you.

Debbie Shearer is the Owner/Director of Splodge Children's Entertainment running birthday parties and children's entertainment for children in and around Adelaide.
Check out the splodge facebook page at www.facebook.com.au/splodgeevents

What do parents want in a kids birthday party?

As a parent and owner of Splodge Children's Entertainment Company, I constantly ask my customers what they want from a party organiser at their Childs Birthday Party.


The replies are varied of course, but in the main it appears to be fun but controlled entertainment and value for money.


Controlled entertainment - by that Mums and Dads want to leave the group of children at the kid’s birthday party with the entertainer and know they are not going to disappear or run amok through the house/garden. Think of this when you hire an entertainer. If you have booked a puppet show or fairy can they perform and still control the children or do you and other parents have to help out?


Fun - Children’s attention spans are not as good as adults a 1 hour birthday party can be a long time if there is not lots to do. Make sure the entertainer provides you with an exact run down of what the children will be doing for the hour or two at the birthday party to ensure you don't have them sneaking into the bedrooms to find the play station!!! Remember to cater for boys and girls alike. Will the boys really enjoy that fairy or the girls the soccer game. When kids get to a certain age usually 8, 9 or 10 years they opt for single sex parties, up till then it's mixed and can be tricky. Make sure you are satisfied that the entertainer can entertain both well and doesn’t lean towards girls or boys alone.

Value for money - What are you getting for your money? Craft activities are great fun at Birthday Parties and provide the children with something to take home with them. Buying craft bits is expensive; an entertainer doing craft should be able to supply you with a huge range of bits and pieces for the children to use at a fraction of the cost. Lolly Bags - Think of the money you've spend on those lolly bags that end up devoured before the kids even get home from the birthday party - and the time it took you to shop around for all those little bits and pieces inside. Don't over spend on party bags; $5 is a reasonable price to spend on a kids birthday party lolly bag, to include a game/toy, lollies, puzzle, stationary, sticker and balloon. At least with a craft birthday party they go home with a couple of craft items and perhaps a prize or two from the games played.

Finally make sure your entertainer is happy to clear up any mess. You will have enough to do with the food and catching up with the other Parents to have to worry about their mess!

Debbie is Co-owner and founder of Splodge Children's Entertainment.   

Visit http://www.splodge.com.au/ - Kids Birthday Parties Adelaide - crafty fun, games, puppet shows, face painting and lolly bags for boys and girls at Birthday parties, weddings and events around Adelaide.
Also facebook/splodgeevents