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Birthdays to Remember

A child’s birthday is a very special occasion and many parents can’t wait to throw the biggest bash on the block to celebrate. Before sending out the invitations, however, it’s a good idea to think about what will make your toddler’s birthday party an event you’ll all want to remember.

Age Appropriate
For the first few years, it’s best to keep birthday parties simple and invite mostly family and adult friends. If possible, plan things so your child can maintain her regular nap and meal schedule and not get overwhelmed with too much attention.

Most toddlers are mature enough for a bona fide birthday party by the time they’re four or five years old, but even at that age, the simpler the better. A good rule of thumb for determining the number of toddler guests is your child’s age plus one. That means if she’s four years old, she should invite five friends; a few more is okay if she’s used to being around large groups of children at daycare or play groups.2

Timing is Everything
If it’s practical, have the party when your toddler is at her best. Don’t wait until late in the day when she – and her friends – are more likely to be tired and cranky. You’ll also want to keep the party to an hour or an hour and a half at most. Any longer and it may be hard to keep the little ones interested.3

Safety First
Above all else, create a safe environment for your toddler and her friends. The normal rules of safety around the house apply, along with extra measures like these:

  • Put breakables, sharp objects, electrical appliances and other hazards out of reach. Just because your toddler knows not to touch them doesn’t mean the other children won’t be tempted.
  • Send pets to the kennel or put them in an area away from the party.
  • Keep doors and gates to the party area closed so little ones can’t wander off alone.
  • Don’t serve small candies, nuts, popcorn or other food items that are easy to choke on.
  • Arrange to have a few adults around to help supervise, especially if the party is outdoors.
  • If the party is at a park or somewhere away from your home, have the parents deliver their own children unless you can provide car seats for everyone.4

2 “It’s Party Time!” by Julie Tilsner in Parenting magazine, May 2004, www.parenting.com

3 “Toddler Birthday Party Basics,” by Ann Douglas, www.parentsconnect.com, accessed December 10, 2007

4 “Safety Tips & Checklist for Toddler Birthday Parties,” www.parentingtoddlers.com, accessed December 10, 2007

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