The Ultimate Kids Party Checklist

1. Create (and send!) your invitations

The first essential part of any children’s party checklist is the invitations. Without these, your guests won’t know when or where your party is taking place – and what’s a party without lots of your closest friends there to celebrate?! 

Kids party invitations should contain all the essential information your guests will need to enjoy the day, which can include: 

• Key party info, like the date and address of your event
• Costume guidance, particularly if you’re having a theme
• Contact details, so they can RSVP ahead of the big day

They should ideally be sent out 3-4 weeks before the party takes place, so that parents can plan their schedules and make sure the invited children are able to attend. 

When it comes to how the invites are created, it’s up to you whether you go down the homemade or professional route. Homemade invites can get the kids involved and are often relatively cheap, whereas professional invites are stress-free and have a wow-factor that a DIY approach may not be able to capture. 

2. Plan how you’ll decorate your venue

Once you’ve got a venue sorted, it’s time to think about how you’ll decorate on the big day. If you can, it’s worth visiting the venue ahead of time to understand the kind of space you’re working with. Some questions worth considering: 

• Is there room to hang bunting and other decorations? 
• Are you just decorating one room, or will food and drink be served elsewhere? 
• Will there be limitations on when you can get in and decorate (and when you need to leave)? 

If you can, try and ask a few other parents to arrive a little early on the day of the party, so they can help you get everything set up. It’s easy to underestimate the time it takes to make a birthday party feel really special, and you don’t want to try and shoulder everything yourself. 

You also don’t need to blow out your budget on party decorations. Use a number of our cost-effective party tips to help keep finances in check, such as making homemade decorations or asking friends and family whether they have decorations you can borrow and reuse. 

3. Assemble your party bags (or don’t!)

Some parents may deem gift bags a kids party essential, whereas others will see them as unnecessary. This comes down to personal preference, budget, and what kind of party you’re planning to throw. 

If you choose to include party bags, try to limit your spending to around £5 per bag. This can include a range of toys, sweets, and costume items that guests could wear at your party (like eyepatches for a pirate-themed day, or toy animals for a jungle safari party). If you’re opting for costume items, though, make sure to give out the bags before the fun really gets underway.   

Don’t forget that kids party bags don’t have to be full of plastic if you’re opting for a more eco-friendly event. Sustainable kids party bags can include things like plant seeds or regifted wooden toys, which add fun to your day while being kind to the planet.

4. Prepare lots of tasty food and drink

Kids need fuel to keep the party going, so don’t forget to plan lots of tasty food and drink options for when your mid-party lunch break comes around. 

This doesn’t necessarily need to be unhealthy crisps and sweets, either. There are plenty of healthy alternatives, like fruit kebabs or homemade pizzas, that will give them lots of energy to keep the dancing and games going until the very end. 

An essential children’s party checklist item when it comes to your food is to consider any allergies that might be at your party. Make sure that you speak to parents about these ahead of time, and have a plan of action that accommodates dietary requirements (which can include catering for vegetarian or vegan children, too!).

5. Serve up lunch however suits you 

Planning your food is only half the battle – how will you be serving everything up on the day? 

For many parents, the answer to this will be a selection of themed paper plates that kids can load up and go off to eat at their own leisure. In this case, you’ll only need to bring paper plates and napkins; both are relatively inexpensive items that can be bought from any supermarket or party planning shop. 

An alternative to this is more of a sit-down meal. This doesn’t need to be overly formal, but having all the children sit at assigned tables and be served personally can avoid any confusion and make sure that each child has something to eat. This can work well for: 

• Hot food: If you’re serving pizzas or other cooked food, a seating arrangement can make sure everybody is fed while the food is still warm
• SEND parties: If children struggle with making their own decisions about food and drink, bringing out a plateful of tasty treats can be a preferable option
• Divided social groups: Creating a seating plan ahead of time can avoid any quieter children feeling left out if your guests are left to their own devices during the lunch break

6. Plan plenty of fun and games

Now for the main event: the entertainment. This should be near the top of any children’s party checklist, because what’s a good party without lots of playing, dancing, and laughter? 

Thankfully, this is where we can step in. Our party packages have themes and price points suitable for every kind of party. Whether you’re throwing a superheroes bash or an all-out dinosaur day, our expert entertainers will make sure the birthday child has an incredible day they’ll never forget. 

Alongside the main entertainment of the day, it’s worth considering other low-cost games that can keep kids occupied while the entertainer sets up. This could include a pin-the-tail-on variation that matches your party’s theme, or timeless classics like oversized Jenga or cornhole that anyone can enjoy.