Let's Party!

Planning a birthday party for your kids can be overwhelming and stressful, especially if you don’t have a plan. You might be thinking to yourself: where do I start, the decorations or the food? If you’re stressed about planning the party, it’s likely you might forget some key parts of the party. So if  you’re wondering how to plan the perfect order of events for a kids’ birthday party while still keeping your sanity, you’re in the right place.

1. Choose a Theme
The first step to planning a kid’s birthday party is choosing a theme. While not all parties have to have a theme, it’s encouraged to think of one to make the party more unique and align with your child’s interests. Think about your child’s favorite activity or movie as a starting place. These can make great party themes. Other areas to think about when choosing a theme are favorite places to visit, toys, or characters they look up to. Some themes will be easier to find party accessories for, more than others, but it makes for a good opportunity to get creative and get the whole family involved in the brainstorming process!

2. Determine the Guest List & Send Invitations
The next step is to determine who you’re inviting and then to send out invitations. While this may seem like a fairly easy step, it can actually be rather difficult. The best way to decide who is on the guest list is to determine a budget and how many children can come within that budget. This makes it easier to start choosing the main guests, such as close family and friends. From there, if there is some wiggle room, go ahead and add others. Also, some parties may be for friends only and others may be a family party. It’s important to know what kind of party you want before you make your guest list.

3. Pick the Location
There are plenty of great places to have a kid’s party, but there are also many things to take into consideration before deciding on a location. The first thing you should decide is if you’ll throw the party at home or if you want to hire a venue. Throwing a party at home can sometimes save money (other times more once you add it all up), but most party venues include things like games, activities, take pictures, plus set up and clean up, which can save a lot of time and stress. A party at home can also make it impossible for you and your family to enjoy the party and spend time with the birthday boy/girl because you are busy hosting and getting things ready for the next activity. Hiring a venue that includes a host will allow you to relax and take in the special moments.

4. Order Food
The next step is ordering food. Most parents might think this is simple, however, there are many allergies and dietary restrictions that you should be aware of before feeding other parents’ children.
Before deciding on your food for the party, it’s important to ask yourself these questions:
1. Do any of the guests have food allergies or dietary restrictions?
2. Do I need to provide options for different dietary restrictions?
3. What time should the food be ordered for?
Ordering the food in advance for a certain time will also prevent delays. If you call ahead by a week or at least a few days to order your birthday party food, this ensures that it will be ready at the proper time.

5. Purchase (or Make) Decor & Party Favors
If your party is at a rented venue, there’s a good chance that they will decorate for you – and might even supply party favors. However, if you need to supply favors and decorate yourself, you can do that a couple of different ways.

Buy decorations/party favors
Balloons
Streamers
Tablecloths
Centerpieces
Birthday banner/sign
 
Make decorations/party favors
Centerpieces
Birthday banner/sign
Party hats
Confetti
Ribbons
 Other DIY decorations

But having your list and checking it twice is sometimes still quite overwhelming. Here at Team ELM we’re here to help! Offering our services to help plan and run a birthday party as smoothly as possible! 


10-15 Guests
2 Staff
$175

16-20 Guests
2 Staff
$225

21-25 Guests
3 Staff
$325

30+ Guests
4 Staff
$375


Prices reflect a 2 hour party package.

Additional Services

Extra Staff: $25 per person per hour
Extra Hours: $50 per additional hour
Face Painting: $35
Balloons: $35

Party Themes: Spa/Beauty, Dance and Show, Fashion/Dress-Up, Sports and Outdoor Games,
​Arts and Crafts, Cooking, Slumber Party, Swimming and Pool Games
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Contact us for pricing on supervision at Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings, Sweet 16s, and all other events.