4 Tips for Party Planning with Kids. Here are four easy ways to get the kids involved in planning your home festivities.
1 Assign Kids the Creation of Party Place Cards.
It's really handy to have place cards for any kind of a sit-down dinner, even an informal one.
Place cards eliminate the uncomfortable "where-do-you-want-everyone-to-sit?" dance.
Let the kids draw pictures and write names on a small index card that can be folded in half and placed atop each plate. Paint the little cards gold or apply sticker decorations.
2 Let Kids Design the Party Place Mats.
Have kids create leafy place mats for a fall gatherings. Start by hunting and gathering leaves of different sizes, shapes, textures and colors.
Place a white paper place mat over the leaves. Using a peeled crayon, lightly rub the top of each place mat until the outline of the underlying leaf appear.
Repeat with other leaves and different colors of crayon until you have a festive fall pattern shines through. Cover the place mats with plastic and enjoy.
3 Create a Group-Effort Centerpiece.
Even if you're not planning a sit-down meal, a centerpiece is an entertaining essential - and it doesn't even have to be store-bought. Make your centerpiece at home, tying it into your party theme. The kids will help you brainstorm ideas. Options include flowers or fruit, candy (Halloween) or a glittering bowl of ornaments (holidays) just to suggest a few.
As the name implies, your original centerpiece, upon completion, should go in the exact center of the table. Polish the look to perfection by placing a pair or a trio of candles on each side.
4 Prep the Patio.
Casual parties are often best enjoyed outdoors. Weather permitting, they eventually spill outside anyway. Ensure the patio and all the
outdoor furniture is clean.
Wash glass tables. Esure the umbrella is operational. Place enough chairs so that people can sit comfortably. Add a few potted plants and you're ready to party.
If you're barbecuing, make sure
the charcoal grill
or the
gas grill
is clean, primed and stocked with either charcoal or propane. For safety, put the grill in a corner out of the pathway of busy kids.
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