Parents come under a lot of pressure when it comes to hosting a birthday party for their children. No matter their age, the supposition is that you have to spend a fortune, hire expensive entertainment, and send the guests away with party bags stuffed with costly toys. This doesn’t have to be the case, and with the right planning, your child’s birthday could very easily become the most talked about event on the school playground. You don’t have to spend a fortune either. If you’re panicking about what to do for your child’s birthday party, here are the three main things to do that will ensure it becomes the event of the year.

Talk to your child

You should always discuss the party with the birthday girl or boy. After all, it’s their party! Having a chat with them about what they want and what they can have is a good way to establish boundaries and find out what they don’t want. If they’re hoping Harry Potter and the gang will show up, or a superhero will land mid-party game, they’re going to be disappointed. Instead, choose a theme between you, so that the party reflects their hobbies and interests. There are a wide range of decorations that you can get for both girls and boys party themes from Discount Party Supplies, and whether it’s space travel or their favorite TV show, having a central theme will make the event feel much more personal to them.

Get the right entertainment

You don’t need to hire magicians or clowns these days. Not only are they expensive, but there are also a lot more ways to keep the partygoers amused. One of the most special things that you as a parent can do is become an entertainer yourself! That doesn’t mean quitting work and setting up a new career as a balloon animal maker. Instead, set aside an hour each day in the run-up to the party and learn a few child-friendly magic tricks. Nothing will surprise and delight your child more than seeing dad pulling flowers from hats or making mom disappear (temporarily, of course). If that’s too intimidating, then rent or buy a karaoke kit, and let the children entertain themselves!

Deciding on the venue

If you want to keep costs to an absolute minimum, then hosting the party at home is always going to be the best option. However, if the budget allows for an alternate venue, then you have plenty of choices. You could hold the party at the local park (which will mean lots of space for running around and party games), and you can even decorate the park with balloons and streamers to make it feel extra special. It’s always worth doing some checking regarding prices for the local community center as well. These may be a lot cheaper than you think, and will also have facilities that can be used as well.

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to hosting a child’s birthday party. Just remember that it’s all about making sure that the children have the best time. Be prepared for emergencies, and remember to make life as easy for the other parents as well. That way, everyone at the event will have a good time, and will still be talking about it next year.