5 Hacks for the Perfect Kids Party
There's nothing more fun (or potentially stressful) than planning a kids party. Whether your little one is celebrating a birthday or you just want an excuse to eat some cake, here are a few of our favorite hacks to help make sure your next kid-friendly gathering runs smoothly.
1. Pre-Scoop Your Ice Cream: It may sound simple, but pre-scooping your ice cream can save you time and stress when cake time comes around. Grab a muffin tin, scoop out individual servings of ice cream into each cup, and stick it in the freezer before your guests arrive. That's one less thing to worry about!
2. Make a DIY Photo Booth: Capture memories from your child's party without the stress and expense of a professional photographer. Set up a backdrop in a quiet corner of your house, put out a few props (think giant sunglasses and fluffy boas), and challenge your guests to make the goofiest faces possible. Take the photos yourself, or ask parents to snap a few pictures of their little ones.
3. Use Unbreakable Cups: A broken glass can bring any party to a screeching halt. It's even worse when you have a house full of kids who could easily be injured on broken shards of glass. Keep things simple and safe by serving drinks in high quality, unbreakable cups. They're perfect for guests of all sizes, and since they're reusable you won't end up with a trash can full of plastic.
4. Scale Back the Cake: It's easy to pour a lot of stress into creating the perfect cake from scratch. It's just as easy to overspend on professionally made cakes. But let's be honest: if you're serving to a group of kids, that hard work is probably not going to be appreciated. Pick up a box of cake mix, a can of frosting, and open up Pinterest. There's a world of DIY cake ideas that are sure to impress your guests. For even more fun, skip the big cake altogether. Bake cupcakes and set up a decorating station. Set out some colorful candy and sprinkles and you'll have a party full of happy campers.
5. Rethink Your Favors: Knock an item or two off your to-do list by combining party favors with another activity. Set up a make-your-own favor station and incorporate some craft time into your party's schedule. If you prefer food-themed favors, make an extra batch of party treats and hand them to guests as they leave. Or incorporate both ideas by featuring a make-your-own treat bag table with the birthday boy or girl's favorite candy.