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I love throwing parties, & I love having parties where everyone is able to enjoy themselves. Creating a party that is fun for adults AND kids is not the easiest thing, but over the years I have compiled a whole bunch of tips that could help make your party a success!

1. Don't plan kid activities that require a lot of adult help.

There are a lot of awesome ideas on Pinterest; however, you need to think about the reality of it. If you want to do face painting, an adult will need to be in charge, there will be a line of whiny kids impatiently waiting, and there will be requests for things that you probably won't be able to draw. If you want to have a craft station for young kids, their parents will need to help them through it. If you plan some elaborate game, the adults will need to explain and referee.

Having a painting party sounds awesome, & I have thrown a party where I had water tables and kiddie pools. But in reality... they are more effort than they are worth. Messy parties are the kind of parties that sound fun in theory but end up being stressful. The parents have to keep a closer eye on their kids, they have to pack changes of clothes, they have to worry about getting messy themselves. It is easier to prevent mess where you can - although I am not guaranteeing that your child won't go home without a few grass and mud stains.

5. Kid friendly food

When planning the menu, make sure that there is kid friendly food included. My boys are picky eaters, & a lot of times they end up only eating chips and maybe some fruit when we go to a party. Hot dogs, mac n cheese, peanut butter & jelly... kids live on these kinds of foods; and parents will be thrilled if they get anything in their child's stomach at a party regardless of the nutritional value. You can even set up a kid food & drink station where they can help themselves throughout the party - fun for the kids, easy for the parents.

*Bonus tip: Stay away from little details

The reason that parties can be such a headache for hosts is all of the little details. You don't realize how much work all of those little details are until you are regretting all of it a week before the party. Cupcakes sound easy in theory, until you realize you have to ice them all. Small, elaborate decorations sound beautiful, until they get lost & go unnoticed in the chaos of the party. Having a candy bar where people help themselves is easier than you having to stuff 30 goody bags yourself. If you are going to do a DIY project, make sure that it has a big impact - like a whole balloon wall!

The common thread throughout these tips is to keep it simple so that the kids can have a good time without needing their parents. The kids want to play & explore. The parents want to sit & chat. So make it as easy as possible for everyone to do just that. Keep things kid safe, kid friendly, and simple; and the parents will enjoy themselves more too.

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