Parenting Toddlers

Age Appropriate Party Ideas

Age appropriate party suggestions
By Abby Gardiner

How do you ensure that your at-home party is geared appropriately to your children's age? Consider the following basic guidelines, with helpful hints from expert Karen Zuech, owner of Children's Adventures, in Lambeth:

Babies: Birthday parties are fun for one and two-year olds, even though they don't quite understand what a 'party' is. Babies are content playing with toys. Music is sure to please. Tip: " Remember: a party at this age is a celebration of a child - for the parent. Also, babies love to play (supervised) with wrapping paper and ribbon."

Toddlers: have short attention spans. Keep the games short and simple. Appropriate games for this age group include singing and circle games. Tip: "Try simple hunts, for a wrapped prize. Give each child a sample of the wrapping for the prize (wrap each child's prize differently) and let them find the actual present you have hidden."

Three year olds: can find parties very exciting and stimulating. They enjoy action rhymes and simple musical games. Planning for around four short, games and activities. Tip: "Three year olds love to toss things into a basket."

Four year olds: are ready to enjoy a simple party theme. Plan approximately eight games, lasting five minutes each. Play games for fun or where everyone wins a small prize.

Five to seven year olds: are ready for a wider variety of games. Use popular themes for games. Consider a do-it-yourself party where the children make their own party favours, make clay figures or finger paint. Plan 10-12 activities, which can alternate between quiet and energetic.

Seven to 10 year olds: are ready for some competition and want lots of activity. Older children have longer attention spans and often enjoy dividing into teams to play games.

Preteens: the accent should be on getting together and having fun. Consider having a dinner party before another event, such as a movie or sports event.

A Game for Any Age - the following is a form of musical chairs which Zuech maintains is a "real favourite." It also - unlike the conventional musical chairs - encourages sharing, eliminates boredom, keeps children in the game, and can be adapted to any special theme. First, cut out large shapes, like hearts or balloons, islands for pirates, huge princess crowns, or whatever shape fits your party theme. Arrange these shapes on the floor all around a room. Turn on the music. When the music stops, children are instructed to put their toe on whatever shape they can get to, and more than one child can step on a shape at one time - as long as their toe is on the shape. Take shapes away, one at a time. As long as children can get their toe on a shape,they remain in the game. Continue the game until only one shape is left. As long as everyone can get to the shape (with their toe), everyone is a winner!

Zuech's overall tip? "Regardless of the age group involved or the type of party - make sure that the games are fun, suitable to age, space, and number of guests."