40 HAWAII PARENT July/August 2024 Finding and sticking to a simple theme can help cut down on party planning stress. Good themes could be a favorite sport, animal, or color. These themes are broad enough that you’ll be able to find related decorations easily. They’ll also help to make the day memorable for your child. And because they’re classic, your child is likely to be interested in them for a while. TIPS • Decide on a reasonable number of guests. A good rule of thumb is your child’s age, plus one. • If your child has a close friend with a birthday around the same time, team up with his parents to have one big birthday party. • Think of party planning as a way to connect with your child. Find age-appropriate things you can do together, like dec- • Consider a drop in, open house style event. This allows other families with young kids to work around their schedules. It also helps keep your baby or toddler from getting overwhelmed. • Skip party favors. At this age, party favors tend to be a choking hazard. • Keep party food simple. Chicken nuggets, pizza fingers, and fruit are all great choices. • Choose cupcakes as an easy-to-serve alternative to cake. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN Once your child starts school, birthday parties can become more than you bargained for. In some places, it’s common to invite your child’s whole class. If you want a smaller party, consider handing out invites outside of school. You can also use evites, or simply text other parents, to make this easier. „Avoid competitive games, since young kids tend to feel bad if they donÊt win.‰ Many places on Oahu offer party packages for kids.
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