Throwing a 7th birthday party for your child is always a highlight of their childhood. Whether you are planning a small gathering or an adventurous theme party with more guests and activities, you have plenty of options to choose from. Here we have outlined some time-tested tips to help you organize a memorable birthday event.
Set a Budget
It’s important to set a budget right away, because it will determine the type of party you’ll be able to plan. Take into account your child’s wishes, the size of the guest list, and the type of venue or activities you want. Break your budget down into two groups: fixed costs and variable costs. Fixed costs are those that you can anticipate ahead of time, such as venue rental, theme supplies, food, and decor. Variable costs are those that may depend on the number of guests or miscellaneous items, such as presents or cake, that may come up unexpectedly.
Find a Venue
Your venue choice will depend on the budget and party size. If you’re throwing a smaller party at home, you won’t need to rent the space but you will still have to account for decorations, food and drinks. If it is a larger party, consider hiring a venue with an indoor or outdoor space that can accommodate all the guests and provides suitable audio and video equipment. You can also hire a party entertainment company that can come to your chosen venue and provide music, games, and activities for the guests.
Create a Guest List
Your child’s input is important here, so make sure to include their friends in the list! Have your child come up with a few friends that they would like to invite. Depending on your budget, you can also add up their parents and siblings. After completing the list, double check to ensure that everyone is accounted for.
Invitations
Now it’s time to get the word out! You can purchase generic invitations or create some personalized ones to make it more fun. If you’re having a themed party, try to match the colors and design to the event. You can also have your child hand deliver some of the invitations – they will be so excited to share the details!
Decorations
Choose a theme and get your decorations together. This will depend on the size of the venue and the colors/styles of your chosen theme. Streamers, balloons, custom banners, tablecloths and paper cups or plates are always a good idea. If it’s a themed party then start looking for props to match. As most of these options are inexpensive, you can find them at local party stores or online.
Food and Drink Options
Ensuring that everyone is fed and watered should be on top of your list! You can either make it all yourself or order food from a caterer or local restaurant. Consider having some light finger foods like chips and dips, sandwiches, mini pizzas or hot dogs as well as a selection of beverages to go with it. If you’re having any more substantial meals like burgers or tacos, make sure they come with vegan or vegetarian options so everyone can enjoy. Check with your venue to make sure they allow food and drink in the venue if you intend to have it provided by another vendor.
Entertainment Ideas
If you have hired a venue, your entertainment should already be included in the package. Research what activities are available for this age group, especially if you are working with limited space or budget. Crafts or art activities can be great for indoor gatherings, while outdoor games like tag or hide-and-seek could make it an adventurous event. Of course you can always rent a few video gaming systems or get someone to manage a scavenger hunt for them!
Party Favors and Goodie Bags
Sending your child’s guests home with something special is always part of any successful party. Fill goodie bags with small items like bookmarks, pencils and candy that are meaningful yet affordable. You can buy favors in bulk online to save money. If you have time, you could also put together homemade favors – like decorated mugs or framed photographs – yourself.
Clean Up Tips
The final step is cleaning up after the big event! If your venue has additional services such as a custodian service or waste removal service, take advantage of that. Otherwise, have all your guests help out and make sure none of their belongings are left behind. Locate any decorations and pack them away, put away all food containers into recyclables and disposal bags, sanitize surfaces and vacuum rugs if necessary. Once everything is tidied up and ready for storage, thank your guests for coming and for their help in making the event run smoothly.
Organizing a 7th birthday party can be exciting and overwhelming at first glance but by following these steps, you will be able to host a memorable celebration for your child in no time!
