I’m a veteran children’s birthday-party thrower so here are some of the lessons I’ve learned.

Follow my top ten tips for planning the prefect children’s event and even you will have great fun on the day.

1. To begin …
Choosing the right day and date is a key part of planning. Not only should it fit into your diary, but many children have hectic social and activity calendars too. Before you go ahead with bookings and invitations, make sure your child’s best friend can come on the date you are planning. The absence of a special friend can take the shine off even the brightest celebration.

Parties can be held during the week, but weekends are better for younger children, making the celebration the day’s sole big event. Plus, parents can often attend more easily too.

2. It’s all in the timing
Don’t make the party too long. Most children can handle 1.5 to 2 hours of noise and excitement with equanimity. After that, you may find smaller revellers are starting to fray around the edges. Meltdowns do not make for magic party moments. As for the time of day you choose to start your child’s party – younger children are generally at their effervescent best in the morning while older children will cope well any time of day. The choice is yours.

3. Invitations
These days invitations can be sent by email or the more traditional way. Whatever you decide to do, try to give the guests’ parents ample warning of your event by sending them out at least 3 weeks in advance.

Invitations are a real opportunity to set the theme for the whole party. Make sure they are fun and include all essential details, including dress codes, directions to the venue and whether food will be provided. And don’t forget an RSVP!

4. Breaking the ice
To get the party off to a good start, plan an ice-breaker game or activity that the kids can join in as soon as they arrive.

5. Venue
Take the hard work out of organising your child’s party by outsourcing the entertainment – or the whole affair. The big advantage of home parties is that they are generally less expensive than hired venues. Venues, on the other hand, offer novelty, excitement and dedicated entertainment. Best of all, you get to relax and enjoy the party too. After-party mess? Not your problem.

6. Themes
A theme can structure the event brilliantly. Even a colour code can bring an added whirl when carried forward in the decorations, food and games. We have great fun with our Rock Star and Princess themes which include dressing up, simple makeovers and fashion shows.

7. Menu
If you want to serve a small meal, keep the offerings simple. Familiar snacks like sausage rolls, cupcakes, fruit skewers, fairy bread or sandwiches always go down well. Be aware of any food allergies – it’s best to avoid anything with nuts (including peanut butter sandwiches) because so many children are allergic to them.

If the parents are staying for the party, make up some tasty treats (dips are easy and delicious) for them too.

8. Games
You can go all out and hire games equipment but traditional games never lose their appeal – especially with younger children. Musical bumps, Pin the Tail on the Donkey and the Hokey-Cokey are exciting for three- and four-year olds because they may be discovering them for the first time. Five- and six-year-olds may enjoy more robust games like three-legged races, sack races and egg-and-spoon races. Older children will be ready for simple crafts like making pirate hats, princess crowns or other novelties. And everyone loves to have a go at decorating their very own fairy cakes.

9. Music
Music also plays a big part in my events. Kids are always into the latest music and love to dance. I have actually learned a few new dances from the 8 year olds at my “Rock Star” parties and have been prompted to update my IPOD from their suggestions!

10. Make it special
The best part about planning a party for children is knowing you can have fun and be whimsical. Little touches can elicit shrieks of delight. Kids just love being able to laugh and dance and play, knowing the entire event is all about them.

When planning a party, the most important thing of all is to remember what it was like when you were a child. Relax a little and most importantly, have fun!