Children Parties with Easy Cleanup

Often there is no need for plates and utensils, unless you are serving a cake that is not provided by the restaurant.   Often drinks and food are provided, along with whatever is needed as far as cups, plates, napkins, and utensils.  Some even provide a small toy that can substitute as a party favor.

Decorating is your responsibility, but may be limited.  A theme tablecloth, preferably the paper kind that can be tossed, is a nice touch.  You may need several.  Perhaps the easiest decoration is a large balloon or two that can be placed on a table. 

Some places have entertainment, but check and see what is in your party package.  There may be several packages at different prices.

If you have a balloon bought online you will also need helium.  And remember to weight the balloon down with sand bags or other heave weights.

Outdoor parties have less provided.  You get the use of the space, but no more.  The trash will be picked up, and it is not your restroom being made to look horrible, but that is about all you can expect.

You will need your own serving pieces, including paper plates, paper cups, napkins, and whatever else is needed.  I recommend a party pack, or several.  Look at how many people one pack is designed to serve, and have spare items because children drop plates and cups, and even accidentally throw them away. 

The main problem is having a backup plan in the event of bad weather.  So often parties are planned weeks in advance, and daily weather cannot be forecast that far out.

Decorations are probably limited, but balloons still work if the conditions are not windy.

Do not forget the hand sanitizer, the cake knife, and a bag to carry those things you will take back home.

If the party is an outdoor event, or if the restaurant does not provide party favors, you may need to bring your own.  Some favors can be incorporated into the entertainment of the children. 

Sports work well for some groups, but not for others.  One thing that can be fun is the hover disk.  These are inexpensive, and work similar to a Frisbee, but are much larger and can do so much more.  And, if there is a theme you might find hover disks with the party theme, although licensed images may increase the cost slightly.

If the party will continue after dark, adding some funky lights is a real nice touch for any outdoor party.  Children will be drawn to them.  The only problem is first you must verify there will be a place for plugging them in, or opt for battery lights.  LEDs use very little electricity, so a battery operated string of LED lights with wonderfully decorative designs are a good option.

In response to a helpful suggestion from a reader I am including portable, pop up gazebos as quite useful if other shelter is not available.  This can certainly give some refuge from inclement weather, and can give the adults supervising the party a place to party a place to sit and relax when not needed to assist the children.  Just bring out a few folding chairs, and perhaps a folding table and you have a great place out of the weather, and for setting out food that the heat from the sun might spoil faster than if the food were in the shade. 

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