How to Resolve Common Birthday Party Problems
Planning the perfect birthday party doesn’t have to be too difficult, but there are a number of birthday party problems that could emerge if you’re not careful. From late RSVPs to going over budget, the problems in children’s birthday parties that could derail your planning are numerous.
But don’t fret: we’re here to help. We’ve helped to throw thousands of successful birthday parties over the years, and that’s given us a unique insight into what can sometimes go wrong – and how to avoid it. Let’s run through some common birthday party problems, and the best ways to keep them from spoiling the big day.
Overplanning (and going over budget)
The problem: It’s easy to overthink a birthday party. There are so many trends that we’re influenced by on social media, and you can start to believe everything won’t be perfect unless you include that one specific decoration you’ve seen go viral. This can lead to stress from planning, but can also get quite costly and cause you to go over budget unnecessarily.
The solution: Start planning early, and stick to it. We’ve pulled together an entire Help Hub of ideas and advice to guide your planning journey, which should immediately avoid the most common birthday party problems that parents fall into. If you nail down major decisions like your venue, food and drink, and entertainment, it shouldn’t be too tricky to finalise the other elements that really bring the day together.
Chasing up RSVPs
The problem: RSVPs can often present a challenge for kids birthday parties. Getting them out in the first place can be a struggle if your child forgets them in their school bag, or you don’t have the phone numbers of parents whose kids will be invited. And even once they’ve all been sent, making sure that you hear back from parents in plenty of time to finalise your planning can be a pain.
The solution: There are a number of ways that you can get everybody to respond in time for your party. The first essential is to give parents plenty of ways to respond; give them your phone number, email address, and even make it clear that they can let you know in-person if that’s easier. It can also be a good idea to plan for a few unexpected guests at your party with additional food and drink – just in case kids bring their siblings, or expected no-shows decide to change their mind.
Keeping tabs on everything
The problem: There’s a lot to consider with a kids birthday party, including things like party bags and the schedule of your day. If you’re not a natural planner, you might struggle to keep tabs on everything that’s happening and the where and when of your day. This could lead to forgotten invoices that need to be paid for suppliers, or overlooked details that could throw things off once the party gets underway.
The solution: There are a couple of great ways to avoid being overwhelmed by the details of your party. The first is to create a spreadsheet that’ll allow you to keep track of costs, suppliers, guests – it might seem excessive, but having all this information in one place makes it all feel more manageable. The second recommendation is to share the load; enlist your partner to organise certain aspects of the party, or you could even ask the parents of your child’s best friends to support with planning if they have particular talents worth sharing (such as cooking homemade treats to keep costs down!).
Getting everyone involved
The problem: When you bring together a group of children, it’s inevitable that not all of them will be as involved as each other. Sometimes, kids don’t want to be the centre of attention, or they might not want to play a particular game that your entertainer is setting up. And if you’ve spent lots of time (and money) planning an amazing event, this can feel like a birthday party problem that needs solving.
The solution: In reality, it’s okay if not everybody enjoys themselves in the same way. Some children might be naturally quieter and more introverted than others, and the idea of dancing and running around just isn’t as appealing for them – which is absolutely fine! Our entertainers are experts in making sure that everyone enjoys the party in their own way, and we can even throw SEND and sensory-friendly parties to suit neurodivergent children who may celebrate a little differently.
Don’t overthink it
As with planning any big event, it’s inevitable that certain things won’t go smoothly. No matter how prepared you are, kids are unpredictable, and your perfect schedule might go a little awry for any number of reasons.
But it’s important not to let this ruin your enjoyment of the day. Kids can tell when adults are on edge, and if they’re enjoying themselves, who cares if the mini pizzas you’d ordered haven’t arrived? Certain issues can be worked out after the party, and you owe it to yourself (and the birthday child!) to enjoy the day regardless of what crops up.
Ready to throw the best party ever?
Now you’re prepared to avoid any birthday party problems, it’s time to get planning. Take a look at our popular party packages, or speak to a member of our friendly team about any questions that you might have.
