The Ultimate Children's Birthday Party Checklist

Children's parties look simple until you're two weeks out and realise you haven't booked entertainment, ordered a cake, or worked out how thirty five-year-olds are going to eat lunch at the same time. This checklist is broken into when you need to do each thing, not just what needs doing.

6-8 weeks before

Pick a date and a headcount ceiling - this decides your venue size and budget more than anything else.
Book the venue (village hall, soft play, garden marquee).
Book entertainment if you want one - magicians, entertainers and bouncy castles get booked up fastest for weekend slots.
Send invitations, with an RSVP deadline at least 2 weeks before the party.

2 weeks before

Chase any outstanding RSVPs so your final headcount is locked.
Order the cake - most local bakers want 10-14 days notice for a custom design.
Order or buy decorations, plates, cups and any party bag fillers.
Confirm catering (or work out who is bringing what, if it is a bring-a-plate party).

The day before

Charge any cameras/phones and set a reminder to actually take photos.
Prep food that can be made ahead.
Pack decorations, candles, a lighter/matches, and a first aid kit if the venue does not supply one.
Fill party bags so the morning of the party is not spent doing this.

On the day

Arrive with enough time to decorate before guests arrive - venues rarely give you as long as you think.
Have one person whose only job is greeting arrivals and directing parents (especially for under-8s, where a parent may be staying).
Keep the cake and candles somewhere a toddler cannot reach until it is time.

The thing everyone forgets

A bin bag and some kitchen roll. Parties generate mess fast, and having a way to do a five-minute tidy partway through keeps the room usable for the rest of the party.

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