Party Planning for Toddlers
Are you a “Party Mom”?
For the last several years I’ve gone all out for my son’s birthday parties-it’s kind of my thing. I love to throw a good party. And not just your average party. I like my parties to have pizzazz!
This has been something I’ve always prided myself in.
In my early adult life, many college friends came to me for help when planning events. I somehow took the role of “Party Mom”, even before I had children. Maybe it was because my meticulous planning in all aspects of the event or how I was constantly cleaning and refilling drinks during the party to assure everyone was having fun. It’s a curse and a blessing, let me tell ya!
Now as 30- something adult, with actual children, I take the role of party planning even more seriously. These are my kids’ lives, and memories they will be looking back at one day. As a Mom of two under the age of three, I can say from experience planning a fun and safe party can be challenging. Not to mention the added stress of your kid actually enjoying themselves. Toddlerhood is a scary place for everyone, Mom and Dad included.
Toddler Basics
Here’s the thing about toddler’s, they are unpredictable. And let me tell you picking a theme for a toddler birthday can be hard and tedious. Plus, there’s the added fear of planning it all out only to get up to the day of the event and your toddler change their mind on what they want. GASP!
If you follow or know anything about the Instagram famous account- Big Little Feelings- , you’ll know they suggest avoiding tantrums by offering your child options. For example, I might ask my child, “would you like the red cup or the blue cup”. This provides your child with some control on the event that is about to take place.
For planning a toddler party, you should approach the situation in the same fashion.
The Planning Stage
As a Mom to a very unpredictable toddler, my suggestion to you is to prepare basic party supplies that can be used across two different themes. I love a good inspiration board to help see my event vision on paper and bring my ideas to life. Canva is a free service I like to access to do just this.
I’d first start by picking a selection of primary colors to use, as well as, a few accent pieces. For me I’d choose, red, yellow, blue, cow print or paw prints as my accent.
Do you see where this is going yet?
Then I’d look at what type of décor I plan to have for the event. Balloons are my go-too! They are easy to do on your own and almost all small towns have some sort of party store; whether it be the aisle of Wal-Mart or a local small business. Balloons are generally easy to find and can add lots of pizzazz to any party. Plus, your toddler will LOVE THEM!
I’d go ahead and order a large “number” foil balloon in one of my primary colors and a pack of each accent print. With accents, you really only need a small supply to help your theme pop!
Around two weeks leading up to the party I’d start to ask my toddler what birthday party theme they’d like to have… and I’d repeat this process for about a week, asking every other day to assure the answer doesn’t change. “Do you want Paw Patrol or a Toy Story themed party”?
Final Details
One week before the party- with your toddler’s theme choice in mind- I’d begin to order the fine details. These details might include; cups, backdrops, cake, and custom cookies. Of course, please keep in mind your service area. If you are outsourcing the cake and cookies, you’d want to be diligent to contact those vendors to verify their lead time and get on their books to assure your order can be made in time for your event.
For all you DIYer’s, like myself, I’d access my handy mobile device and logon to my favorite shopping app to order my final touches. Depending on where you live, two- day shipping may just be your best friend.
Party Time
It’s the day of your party and it’s time to throw it all together!
Pro tip- when you wake your toddler up in the morning be sure to remind them that you are having (their theme choice) party today. And make it a big deal- If you are excited they will be excited too!!
And don’t forget Mama’s have fun too! I know this is easier said than done if you’re a “Party Mom” like myself. But remember today only happens today, try to be present. You do not have to be the hostess with the most. Generally speaking, your guest can figure out how to help themselves.
Live in this moment with your family! Ask a friend to take pictures for you instead of circling the party yourself trying to grab them for the baby book (Is this still a thing Gen Z).
Inspiration
Below I have curated inspiration boards for my two party themes. Both themes include my primary colors of choice, red, blue and yellow. With the finer theme details being the products I might outsource to local vendors or order from online.
Final Note
Planning a party does not have to be complicated, and you’d be surprised by how many resources your local town has to aid you in this. Facebook market place is another great tool I like to use when looking for second-hand party supplies or theme products. Not to mention, it’s a great way for you to “recycle” what you purchased in preparation for your party or after it is all said and done. Instead of throwing out the paw print balloons you didn’t use, Pop them on Facebook market place and see if you can get some, if not all, of your money back on them. Don’t trash your décor! See if there is anyone else in your area that might be interested in it,
If you made it this far, I appreciate you- and hope this was helpful!! And here’s where I’m going to add my business plug. If you are in the Southern Missouri and Arkansas area, check out Katie Lynn Co. for your luxury event rental needs. I’d love to bring my “party Mom” energy to your event with one of our fun inflatables or balloon garlands.
Lots of love,
Kate
