Kids Birthday Party Ideas

I used to think that to throw a cool kids birthday party I had to plan lots of games and activities. The truth is, it was hard to get the kids organized to do the activities - all they wanted to do was play with each other.

When it comes to throwing a birthday party, my advice is to keep it simple.

Another challenge can be the food. If you're like me and you throw your kids birthday parties at home, you might think you have to get creative with what you serve:

• you can't serve the same thing as last year
• you have to have a variety to suit different tastes
• you have to have food to appeal to the adults as well as the kids

I have learned that this kind of thinking just over complicates things. It's a kids birthday party - nobody will be expecting gourmet cuisine. Pizza, salad, chips and cake - make it easy on yourself.

A few years ago, I discovered Birthday in a Box. I browsed the site, put together a complete party package based on a theme I knew my son would love and a few days later a big box showed up on our doorstep.

My son and I had such a fun time opening the box. Watching his eyes grow big and round as he saw all of the toys for the goodie bags, the plates, the tablecloths, and the invitations - all with his favorite character on them gave me such a good feeling inside.

There was a personal note in the box from the specific employee who had packed it asking us to please contact her directly if there was a problem. I was very impressed with that personal touch.

Birthday in a Box was so easy and delivered such a high quality service, I have been using them ever since.

With Birthday in a Box, you can throw a successful birthday party right in your own home, without ever leaving home. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Pick a theme based on the birthday child's interests. Here is a wide variety of birthday themes to choose from.

• Decide upon the party area. Good choices would be your backyard, your finished basement or your child's play room.

• Choose birthday decorations for the party area according to the chosen theme.

• Set up a table and chairs for the kids in the party area.

• Set up a table with an age-appropriate craft project. This could be something as simple as theme-related coloring pages. Here are a few of the craft projects you can order through Birthday in a Box. Click any of the thumbnails for more information.

• Put away any special or fragile toys before the party begins.

When the children arrive, show them to the party area. Introduce the craft project and invite them to do it at their leisure. Invited the children to play with any toys they choose, knowing that you have put away the toys you have chosen not to display at the party.

A pinatta is always a fun birthday activity for children of all ages. Pull string pinattas have taken the place of swinging a bat for smaller children. Instead of taking turns, my son always invites his friends to all grab a string and pull on the count of 3. This way, nobody feels badly that they were not the one to break open the pinatta.

You don't even have to leave your house to buy all of your party supplies. From invitations through thank-you cards and everything in between. You can get it all with the click of a mouse.

I love to entertain for any occasion and I like my guests to feel comfortable and to have a good time.

In the past I have planned my son's birthday parties, not only for the kids, but for the adults as well. I have learned, though, that a kids birthday party is just that.....a party for the kids so I have started planning just for the kids and I have found this to be a great way to throw a successful kids birthday party.

My son has a blast at his parties and your kids will too.

I hope your next kids birthday party is a huge success!