| Do you want a house full of excited children | | | | has a princess theme you can play Pin the Tiara |
| bouncing off your walls ,waiting for their parents | | | | on the princess. For our son's Star Wars party, |
| to pick them up?I didn't think so.So what happens | | | | we played Pin the Tail on the Wookie.As each |
| after your child's birthday party is over?Here are | | | | guests takes their turn playing, have your other |
| two "secrets" you must learn that will quickly | | | | guests sit on the floor.Read A StoryDepending on |
| return peace and quiet to your home following | | | | the age of your child and their guests, have |
| your child's birthday party.OK, they aren't really | | | | everyone sit down while you read them a story. |
| secrets, but they are excellent strategies that | | | | It can be a theme related story or just a fun |
| work and work very well.Your Party's Over, Now | | | | story.What Did You Like BestWhile sitting |
| What?When your child's party is over, you're | | | | together, have each child tell what they liked best |
| tired, worn out from being a hostess and you | | | | about the party and tell the birthday child "happy |
| need a break. Waiting to be rescued from a | | | | birthday." For older children they can write down |
| house full of children that are all wound up and still | | | | what they liked about the party and write a |
| looking for fun is the last thing you need. And all | | | | special birthday wish for your birthday child. This |
| you can do is pray for their parents to finally | | | | makes fun ready for your birthday |
| show up and take them home. Sometimes hours | | | | child.Sing-A-LongAgain, this depends on the age of |
| later!The first strategy starts with the | | | | your child and their guests. You can easily pick up |
| invitationAlong with all the other information about | | | | a sing-along-video or you can sing your own |
| your party, including what time your party starts, | | | | songs. Just get everyone together, sitting on the |
| you absolutely must include the END TIME for | | | | floor having quiet fun.ColoringNearly any age group |
| your party.Write this in your own words:"Our | | | | can draw or color. Just set up an area with paper, |
| party will end SHARPLY at 2:00pm" (or whatever | | | | crayons, colored pencils, or some other coloring |
| time your party will end). Then state in kind | | | | media. For younger children you can use pictures |
| words that children need to be picked up | | | | from coloring books, or you can have your group |
| promptly.By including this simple bit of information | | | | draw their own pictures. When they complete |
| in your invitations you will discover that most | | | | their pictures they can take them home.Craft |
| parents will respect your request and be there at | | | | ProjectsThese can also be theme related like |
| the appropriate time to pick up their children.And | | | | decorating and putting together a princess tiara, |
| you won't be stuck watching a house full of kids. | | | | or making and decorating a pirate's treasure |
| (Hey, that works for me.)The second strategy is | | | | chest. These kinds of craft projects are easy to |
| actually lots of funHow would you like your house | | | | find at online party supply stores.Watch A Theme |
| full of party guests to be kept busy with quiet | | | | Related Movie Or VideoYou can also have your |
| games and activities during the last half hour of | | | | guests sit down to watch a theme related movie |
| your child's party? I know I would.Plan at least 3 | | | | or video. If it's a movie, just make sure the video |
| or 4 quiet games like:Guess How ManyWhen your | | | | doesn't have inappropriate language or scenes and |
| guests first arrive at your party, have a jar full of | | | | that it's not too intense for younger viewers.Can |
| Jelly Beans, or Marbles, or something theme | | | | you already feel the peace and quiet?The basic |
| related like Princess pink Jelly Beans or Gummy | | | | idea is to slow things down and keep the children |
| Sharks. Have pen and paper handy and write | | | | involved in doing quiet things that are fun.Now can |
| down the name of each guest, then have them | | | | you see how these two simple strategies will |
| write down how many Jelly Beans (or what ever | | | | completely change the way your child's party will |
| you have) are in the jar.At the end of your party | | | | end? No more wound up children bouncing off |
| have all the kids site down. Then hold up the jar | | | | your walls. And you won't be completely tired, |
| and remind them that they each made a guess | | | | worn out and begging to be rescued.Instead, you'll |
| about how many are in the jar. Now read each | | | | have a great time and when the other parents |
| name and tell what they guessed. Then tell them | | | | come to pick up their children, they'll be amazed |
| how many really are in the jar and announce the | | | | at how quiet things are at your house. How'd you |
| winner. The winning prize can be the contents of | | | | do that? (it will be our "secret").Have funMike |
| the jar.Pin The Tail Or Nose On?Pin the Tail on the | | | | Dougherty "Grandpa Mike" has years worth of |
| Donkey is a popular game. It's quiet and can easily | | | | experience putting together successful birthday |
| be modified to fit any party theme.If your party | | | | parties for his children and grandchildren. |