The array of party entertainers and suppliers listed in this guide will create a day to remember. That said, kids’ parties are not competitions. There is a danger that you can get caught up and find yourself ordering an extravagant package that you don’t need. With some careful planning and organisation, you can host a fantastic party for your child yourself. There are loads of traditional party games that have got lost along the way. They were popular for a reason – they are great fun – and for today’s children, many have added novelty value. Here are some of our favourites:

Pass the Parcel
Remember to put a small sweet or toy in each layer of wrapping. If you have more than 10 children, consider having two parcels.

Finding Your Pair
Great game for when children are arriving. Take an animal out of a hat (a picture if they are under 6) and find your pair by making the right noise; for older children find the other half of a well-known pair: Buzz and Woody, Tom and Jerry, Batman and Robin etc.

Musical bumps are good for little ones, musical chairs or statues for ages 4+, disco dancing
competitions (surely you remember switching the lights on and off?) when they reach 6+ and limbo dancing is always a hit!

The Chocolate Game
Roll a six, dress up in silly kit – hat, gloves, scarf etc – and eat as much chocolate as you can, with a knife and fork, until the next six is thrown. Watch out that one child doesn’t end up
eating a whole bar – you may even need to engineer a six. Another favourite chocolate game is moving Smarties from one bowl to another with
chopsticks or a straw.

Pin the Tail on the Donkey
This Victorian parlour favourite stands the test of time. It doesn’t have to be a donkey (try pin the captain on the ship), and bluetack is probably more practical than a pin, but you do need someone in the family who can draw!

The Tray Game
Either remember everything on the tray or spot what has been taken away. A good variant on this for older children is the smelling, or even tasting (watch out for allergies) game. Children play one by one, are blindfolded and guess the item. Try coffee, pineapple, lemon peel and pencil sharpenings!

Treasure Hunts
Get a group of grown ups to think up the clues – older children love even the worst riddles. For younger children, finding chocolate coins in a
confined area is great fun. Or hide small animals or toy cars which the children then trade for a Smartie.

Races
You can have a full-on sports day with an egg and spoon race, sack races and 3-legged races if you have a big enough garden or decamp to the park. But you don’t need acres of space for an obstacle course or passing a balloon down the line.

For a quiet end to the party, don’t forget Sleeping Lions. Everybody lies on the floor and wins a prize by staying very still. Some might even drop off to sleep!

Tips for running the party yourself
l Have plenty of help on hand – to take children to the loo, attend to bumps, spare laps for cuddles for shy children. From the age of 4, most children will be dropped off and picked up by parents grateful for a
couple of hours off.
l If the party is right after school, have each child stuff their extra bits – caps, ties, socks, jumpers – into their book bags.
l Divide and rule. Children are easier to manage in small groups. Allocate teams as they arrive, denoted by coloured stickers.
l Hiring little tables and chairs makes tea a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
l Have a pack of wet wipes on hand – catch the children before they get back to your sitting room.
l Plan many more games than you think you will need. Some will work, some won’t, and there is no knowing beforehand how this particular group of children will react to your different suggestions.
l Intersperse crazy, noisy games with some quieter games – everyone needs a rest every now and again, even the children.
l For a quiet activity try painting a t-shirt or a candle-holder. Ikea have good plain picture frames to decorate.
l Host a gardening party and plant bulbs – plus one in a pot to take home.
l Have a fancy dress competition – borrow a book from the library and try some face painting yourself.
l The end of the party can almost be one of the most chaotic moments, as you find everyone’s book bags, shoes and coats and hand out party bags, all at once. Keep an adult on the door, in case of disappearing children and keep breathing deeply until everyone is out.
l Save a few fairy cakes to enjoy with a glass of wine when it’s all over.