Hosting a party for a child is guaranteed to be rewarding, as children are such enthusiastic embracers of all that's fun about a big event - planning it out, deciding on the theme, sending out the invitations, helping to put up the decorations, buying or making a costume and props, and anticipating the big day for months and weeks beforehand.

Most children's parties are to celebrate birthdays, and it's hardly surprising. For your child, every one of them is a big deal, so each is worthy of an exciting and memorable party that's distinctive from the last - and, if possible, different from and better than every other kid's.

Not all children's parties are in honour of birthdays. You may also want to throw a party for your child to celebrate one or more of these special occasions:

¥ Christmas or Channukah;
¥ Ramadan;
¥ Easter;
¥ Hallowe'en;
¥ Spring;
¥ Guy Fawkes Night;
¥ Footie Finals night.

Or you may decide to have a party to celebrate a milestone in the child's life, such as:

¥ the start or end of school year;
¥ the start or end of primary school;
¥ the beginning of high school;
¥ passing an important music or ballet exam;
¥ being accepted into a specialist school;
¥ making the sports, swimming or athletics team;
¥ winning an Eisteddfod, art or drama prize, or interschool poetry competition;
¥ winning an athletics, ice skating, ballroom dancing or sports contest;
¥ the birth of a baby sister or brother.

Planning the event
Children's parties are a lot of fun for all concerned, as long as you plan them well. So follow our expert tips to make the event a success for everyone involved - the guest of honour, parents, siblings, and your child's guests.

Start as far ahead as possible, at least a few months out. Ask fellow parents, teachers and party professionals for tips and suggestions as to venues, caterers, activities, equipment and entertainers.

Make checklists, so you don't forget important details. And involve your child or children in the planning process - they'll enjoy it even more if they're involved at every stage of the process.

Budget
Decide what you can afford to spend, as this will determine how you allocate your funds, and what you can have in the way of entertainers, party decor and equipment, venue hire, catering, entry fees and tickets. Then be realistic about what's important, what you need to buy or hire, and what you can DIY or make on a budget. With ingenuity and canny sourcing and shopping, you can create a fantastic child's party even on limited funds.

Concept or theme and decor
Decide on your party concept or theme early in the piece - it influences a lot of other planning decisions, including:

¥ the type and colour of the decorations;
¥ the shape of the cake;
¥ the type of entertainment;
¥ the style of food and its presentation;
¥ your guest dress code;
¥ party favours/take-home goodie bag contents;
¥ the games you'll play;
¥ and sometimes, the venue.

Discuss possible themes with the family, especially the birthday child, before settling on one. Tap into your child's current interests, favourite books, movies, TV shows, games and obsessions when narrowing down theme ideas: there are literally thousands of kids' party concepts out there, but some will hold more appeal to your child (and his or her friends) than others - and you know which ones they are!

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