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If you’ve found this children’s party planning checklist because your little has a birthday coming up then you’re in the right place! With a little bit of time and organization, a children’s party doesn’t have to be a major stress which leaves you huffing “never again!”. Instead, follow this party planning checklist and you will be gliding through the main even like a pro…

Eight weeks before

• Pick a theme with your child
• Rough out the guest list
• Reserve your party venue and or entertainer – note, if they are hugely popular you may have to do this a lot earlier than eight weeks before!

Four weeks before

• Revisit the guest list – let your child make any changes
• Prepare and send your invitations – if you’re using paper invitations check out https://www.bestbuyenvelopes.uk/ otherwise I love Greetings Island for designing digital invitations
• Work out what games and activities will be included during the party, in line with the theme
• Research and order cakes (unless you’re making one or doing a supermarket job in which case this can be done later)
• Beg and borrow friends and family members to help and get it locked into their diary

Three weeks before

• Research and stock up on party supplies for party games, activities, decorations, party bags and contents, tableware etc – if you’re ordering online note that you definitely want this buffer! If you’re buying in store, you have a bit more breathing room.

Two weeks before

• Create an outline for the party – so you know what will happen when. This is more so you know the flow of how the party will go, as opposed to a full on schedule.
• Order any additional party supplies you may need – you will almost certainly think of other things!
• Make a list of food for the party
• Chase up any outstanding RSVPs

In the week preceding the party

• Buy party food – remember to think about both the children and adults
• Reconfirm any extra helping hands you may have roped in
• Create a “party box” including all the decorations, supplies, and other useful things for the day – things like sellotape, gaffer tape, blu tac, pens, scissors, first aid kit, phone charger, bin bags etc

One or two days before

• Pick up your cake or if you’re baking it – get baking!
• Prepare food for the day
• Breathe!

You nailed it!

One week after

• Follow up with thank you notes!

I can personally vouch for the fact that following this children’s party checklist will leave you feeling a lot less stressed about the otherwise crazy than organising a children’s party can be. As I write this we are just entering this cycle for my daughter’s next birthday so off I go to work through my list.

Do you use a children’s party planning checklist? Or are you a freestyle kind of mama party planner? Do share in a comment below. You may also enjoy these creative children’s party ideas ideas.