How to Plan a Stress Free Birthday Party For Kids

Step #1 - Decide on a Date and Time. Try to plan a month or two in advance minimum to insure you have a stress free event.

Step #2 - Brainstorm on a location or venue. Make a short list of possible locations. Will it be in your home or at a public venue? Will it be indoors or out? Note: If you're planning to have any of your birthday activities outdoors ALWAYS have a back up plan in the event of bad weather.

Step #3 – Define Your Guest of Honors interests. What is your child interested in? Dinosaurs, Harry Potter, butterflies, Pirates... Taking note of these things will help you define your child's party theme.

Step #4 – Brainstorm a birthday party theme. A birthday party theme is what ties your whole party together. It will define how to decorate, what activities and games to plan, who the entertainment should be, what the cake should look like and what the party favors should be.

What type of birthday party theme might be a perfect fit for your child?

Possible Themes

1.) Lego Theme

2.) Princess Theme

3.) Magic Theme

4.) Harry Potter Theme

5.) Minecraft Theme

Step #5 – Decide on a budget - Knowing a ball park of how much you can spend on the party can make it easier for you to make decisions in terms of hiring outside help to bake a cake, provide entertainment, party favors etc.

Step #6 - Seriously consider hiring a Birthday Party Entertainer to take the weight off of your shoulders - Managing a large or small group of young adults takes a professional entertainer who can command attention and hold their attention so things don't get too hectic.

Step #7 – Plan the food. If your party is mid day you'll want to plan a simple lunch for your guests. Pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches or hamburgers have wide birthday party appeal.

Step #8 – Decide on a cake plan. Will you bake it yourself or purchase one? The real question is do you have the time and skill to bake a cake that the guests will love. If not, just buy one from your local bakery.

Step #9 – Decide on party favors . Over the last 10-20 years party favors have almost become the expected norm for kids leaving a birthday party.

A great place to shop for inexpensive bags, trinkets and favors online is www.orientaltrading.com

Step #10 - Send out your invitations. Start organizing every thing listed above. Paperlesspost.com has some great free online invitations.

THE REAL SECRET: The key to having a smash hit, stress free birthday party for your child is to plan in advance and don't wait until the 11th hour.

NEED A BIRTHDAY PARTY MAGICIAN?

Marco The Magician (AKA "The Wizard of Westchester") is a MASTER at managing high energy and even unruly children at kids birthday parties.

Constantly in demand for private engagements, Marco the Magician has performed for companies like Scholastic Books, The NBA and Google.

Marco is available for any and all types of events including, but not limited to, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, holiday parties etc.

BOOK MARCO THE MAGICIAN NOW AND MAKE YOUR PARTY PLANNING EASIER - For more information on booking Marco the Magician for your event call (212) 502-0148.

WARNING!!! - Side effects from booking Marco The Magician for your birthday party includes, but is not limited to kids: screaming, laughing their heads off, freaking out, going absolutely nuts and telling the whole World how awesome your party was.