PLANNING THE PERFECT CHILD'S PARTY
How to make them fun and stress-free
By Annie Cieslukowski
Does the idea of hosting ten 5-year-olds for two hours — kids who are sugared up on cake and ice cream, no less — fill you with dread?
Does your brand new teen-aged child want to invite “just six of my really closest friends, Mom!” to spend the day with her — at Cedar Point?
Is there any way you can plan a kid’s party without making yourself crazy or going into debt?
Fear no more. There are ways your child can have a wonderful, memorable party without ruining your carpet, your bank account, or your mental health.
 Wading pools are an essential part of the festivities when Elizabeth Brewster and her neighbors host their annual summer block party in Evanston, Ill.
“We always have a couple of wading pools for the younger kids at our neighborhood party. Running in and out of a pool cools the children off after activities. A pool is also great for keeping children clean,” says Ms. Brewster, mother of a 5-year-old.
Children, warm temperatures and a pool are all the elements you need for an inexpensive and enjoyable party. Forget the fancy equipment or exotic food — simpler is better when you’re hosting kids ages 4-8.
Melissa Mickel-Portala of Toledo says that an easy way for parents to entertain a large group of children is to book Ms. Mickel-Portala’s husband, Andrew Martin the magician.
The cost is about $150, but, she says, “An Andrew Martin party takes all the pressure off the parents.” She points out that it can be very economical when compared to taking a large group of kids to a restaurant or attraction, and because Mr. Martin gives each child a balloon animal or other figure, there is no need for a goody bag.
Mr. Martin begins with a 30-minute comedy magic show, heavy on audience participation. He includes a live bird and bunny, music, and features the birthday child in the show. Instead of “abracadabra,” the magic words are “Happy Birthday!”
Balloon entertainment includes a very complex birthday hat made of balloons for the birthday child, as well as a variety of different animals and figures for the party guests.
Ms. Mickel-Portala says that this is an ideal time for parents to set out the food and get the cake ready.
Follow these few guidelines to ensure that your get-together runs smoothly.
• Don’t invite more children than you can supervise. A ratio of one adult for every four children is ideal. If you’re hosting a large group, enlist the help of other parents or hire responsible teens to supervise with you.
• If you’re having a pool party, ask parents to bring a dry set of clothes for their children, so no one has to worry about getting wet.
• Before the party, move all breakables out of the party room.
• If your party is outdoors, make sure there is plenty of shade. Serve drinks continuously if the weather is hot.
• Be specific about times. “You’d be surprised at how long people will leave their kids,” Ms. Mickel-Portala says. She suggests writing the pick-up time on the invitation, and allowing 15 minutes for guest arrivals and departures.
• Open gifts last, and be sure to allow enough time for all gifts to be admired. “Kids are excited about what they brought, and to see the child’s reaction to it,” she says. By opening the gifts last, kids don’t have to be refocused to another activity. She suggests 30 minutes for gifts, especially for a larger party.
• Provide structured activities in stations, suggests Jorj Morgan, an entertainment consultant and mother of three in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is the author of “At Home Entertaining” (Cumberland House, 2002).
For example, set up water guns with targets in one station. Another station can be a sandbox where children make sand castles. Still another stop might be face painting where children can decorate each other’s faces with washable, nontoxic paints. You’ll have to move children from one interest area to another.
 Think of water games as well.
Brewster brings out a hose and lets children spray each other. Ms. Morgan organizes water balloon baseball. Have plenty of water balloons on hand. Breaking the balloons is half the fun.
“It’s a gas if you have the room,” she says.
When everyone gets hungry, trade the play stations for food stations.
Again, keep things simple and manageable. Ms. Morgan suggests serving all food in cups instead of plates.
“It’s better portion control and clean up is a breeze,” says Ms. Morgan, who puts everything from carrot sticks to chicken fingers in paper cups. She even makes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cuts them into long strips and sets the strips out in cups.
 Smoothies are a favorite at Ms. Morgan’s parties.
“Arrange two or three blenders. Have big bowls of frozen strawberries, blueberries, or bananas. Using frozen fruit makes a smoothie very thick and cold without diluting it with ice. Put out big tubs of yogurt and honey as well and make smoothies to order,” says Ms. Morgan.
Other ideas include make-up parties for girls, where the girls get their make-up and nails done. For younger girls, a princess party lets them dress up as princesses for a day of being treated like royalty.
Sports parties can include a trip to batting cages, an ice rink, or a bowling alley, where even little kids can do well when bumpers are in place. Glow bowling is a popular after-dark activity.
Pony parties at a riding stable are popular with little girls, as well as with young cowboys-in-training.
And finally, if you just can’t handle the idea of blue frosting being ground into your Berber carpet, consider hosting the kids at a McDonald’s or Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurant.
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