DOUBLE Tips for Kids’ Parties

Kids’ parties can be fun and full of unexpected things. Here are a few DOUBLE tips to think about.

Location & Weather: Double Portions suggests doing especially kids’ parties inside where there is hard floor instead of carpet, or possibly on the patio or backyard grass (if nice weather). The patio or backyard grass is the easiest to clean up because after picking up the trash you can just grab a hose.

Keep in mind what the weather might do for the party fun. We suggest checking the weather up to a week before the party in case any last-minute changes are needed. If the weather is questionable, a party inside might be more work (such as cleanup), but in the end more fun for all.

Helpers & Party Guests: Depending on the age of kids, having “extra” helpers will ensure there are enough adults to keep track of the kids and make sure they don’t get into mischief. Consider this especially for kids under 10 years old. Double Portions can be an extra set of hands to deliver food to the table, setup decorations and set the table beforehand, take things down and clean up after the party, etc. Just contact us with your party details and we’ll get back to you.

Though your child might want to invite everyone they know to their party, this might be impractical for the venue, or just for your piece of mind. No matter how many parents agree to stay and help, you might find yourself stressing. Parties are meant to be fun, so consider a party where people can come and go throughout the party time. Food and games can be setup in stations, etc. to accommodate people coming and going at different times. Consider having a “sign-in” table, where the young party guests will be greeted, get a party favor, and be known to the people/person of honor that they have arrived.

Decorations & Games: Depending on the age of kids and the venue, the games can range from water slides to making plastic bead necklaces. The decorations can either be elaborate or something your child can help put together. Do they love drawing? Or even coloring? Double Portions can work with you on decorations that are customized to who your child is and what they enjoy.

Looking Back to Plan Your DOUBLE Fun

Just because you want a unique party that stands out for your friends and family, doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch and reinvent the wheel. In fact, there have been so many different parties over the years with different themes and colors, consider pulling together some of these thoughts as your jumping off point. Likely your colors and ideas, or something close, are available and what you find can then be modified to suit your party. If you see, say a Papier-mâché butterfly that you love, we could use that to plan a garden-themed party. The colors can be updated, and your backyard get together will be a big hit!

Here at Double Portions, we strive to make each party we plan and help with, feel special to the person or people of honor as well as to the friends/family putting on the party.

Just send us a picture or list of your ideas and we will ask follow ups questions to help create a party that is DOUBLE the fun.

DOUBLE Check and Include Options

When planning a party, it’s always good to have a backup plan in case something like weather, catering, etc. needs to be changed at the last minute. You have probably heard that if you have an outside venue for a party, you should probably have a shelter of some kind available. That’s a great idea, but what about the cake, decorations, a caterer? When you get into this level of detail it’s might be a bit trickier, but preparations you make beforehand will help the event go that much smoother and continue to be fun for everyone involved.

 

When choosing a venue, make sure you have provided the accurate date, time, and people count. Then DOUBLE check a week after making the reservation as well as shortly before the event is scheduled to occur. This will affect chairs, tables, and size of the venue the place saves for your party. Even if you are doing the party in a backyard it is helpful to plan out ahead of time how things will be laid out to make sure you don’t need more space for the hors d'oeuvre table or dessert buffet. Having a venue with inside and outside space available would be nice for your party, especially if rain, snow, or beating sun are in the forecast. Keep these things in mind.

 

When choosing a cake, DOUBLE PORTIONS recommends you include both a favorite and a backup flavor in case the bakery runs out of the ingredients for your favorite. This probably will never happen, but... 

 

Even if you plan well ahead of the party, the vendor still might not get their supply of cocoa for instance, and a chocolate cake might not be an option when it comes done to your day.

 

For more tips and tricks, keep checking back! Feel free to send us a question and we’ll get back to you.

 

~ Sheena and Shari

Who Are We?

Welcome to Double Portions Party Planning...We are a twin sister duo. While helping out at a friends wedding, we discovered how much we enjoy helping with parties. This blog and our services will provide you some ideas on how you too can love planning your next party.