You know all about “swag” … those goodies you get when you attend parties. According to this NY Post article, swag is not just for grown-up parties, conferences and weddings anymore. Kids not only look forward to good swag, they expect it!  From expensive toys to LeSac bags filled with spa goodies and beyond, many parents are giving in to giving swag.

The article also points to parents who don’t agree with the swag-giving trend, citing one parent who is giving a lollipop with a note that a donation has been made to Haiti Earthquake Relief.

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A fire truck party is sure to be a favorite among the little ones. Whether boys or girls, kids are fascinated by the the shiny red fire truck that howls down the road in times of emergency. When I was growing up, our neighborhood park had a mock red fire truck that we could climb on. We would pretend we were firefighters rushing off to save the next cat up the tree. Don’t be surprised if your kid wants a fire truck party. If so, here are some ideas for this theme:

One of the most popular places to have this party would be at your local fire station! You might want to call them up and see if they host kids’ parties. Firefighters can offer the kids a tour of the station, a ride down the pole to the trucks, and an up-close look at the nooks and crannies of the fire engines. This activity will truly make the fire trucks come alive and will also be educational for the kids. This would also take up the bulk of the party time, leaving a little bit left for cake and ice cream. Kids’ parties are something a fire station may do gratis; if so, make sure to do something nice in return, such as baking some treats or making a donation.

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Hotels may serve as a good overnight destination for a slumber party, especially if you don’t want your house all messed by a group of pre-teen boys and/or girls. If you decide to take a group of kids to a hotel overnight, it will be a thrill for kids age 9 to 14. This can be especially popular venue if your child wants a swimming party, and their birthday falls in the middle of winter!

If you are going to use a hotel as an outside venue, make sure that the hotel understands there will be a party of “x” amount of children, so they can give their OK. The hotel may also offer you a special price on adjoining rooms and/or rooms that have a kitchen for snacks and breakfast. I would limit the number of guests invited to five, plus the birthday kid. If there are four double beds, three of them are taken with two kids to a bed, and the fourth bed will be for the parent. So, it works out well to have a small number of guests attending the party.

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I am holding a party for my kid at a party venue and when I was filling out the form to set-up my party, there was a section for “Tip” that I may pay on the day of the party in addition to the total amount for the party place.  There are two staff members who will be helping with the party at the venue.  The tips are meant for them.  Am I required to tip?  If so, how much?

Good question!  Party venues will charge their fees for the party based on the package you want, but often there are staff members at the party venue who will be helping run the party at the place.  These employees make their hourly rate of pay, but some venues give the option of tipping if their employees do a great job.  It is an opportunity for these employees to earn some extra money.  If you are very happy with their service and your budget allows for it, feel free to tip.  Standard percentages apply.  If you normally tip, 10% at a restaurant, you can keep with this amount or if that is too much given the cost of the venue, simply pick an amount that you can afford and reflects the service offered.  Usually tipping at these venues is not mandatory, so do not feel pressure to offer a tip if it is beyond your budget and/or you feel the service was below par.

Let’s say you are going to have a birthday party at an amusement park. Sometimes the rides, games, and activities offered by the park will be sufficient to keep the kids entertained at the party. This is especially true if the child is a bit older, i.e. a pre-teen to a teenager.

If you plan to have an amusement park party for smaller children, then you may need to have a few additional activities on hand to keep the kids occupied as they return to the party pavilion for a break or just to enjoy the party itself.

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I am hosting my kid’s birthday party at a specialty shop in a mall. I have been told by their management that we are allowed to bring out a traditional cake, light candles, and sing “Happy Birthday,” but we are not allowed to cut the cake, serve it, and eat it on their premises. As a result, my option is to trudge through the mall to the food court with ten 4-year-olds to sit down and serve the cake. I am concerned with moving the party like this. Should I be concerned, and are there any other alternatives?

It is understandable that the venue does not want the potential mess of the party’s cake serving. Simultaneously, a group of 4-year-old’s will be difficult to move to the opposite end of the mall for the cake serving, especially if you are the only adult at the party. If you have several adult helpers, getting the kids lined up and marching through the mall could go more smoothly than you first think, but you will need 2-3 other adults to move the group efficiently and quickly. If you decide to go this route, make sure to add in sufficient time to account for this shuffling of the party to another spot.

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Of course, this depends on the park and the community guidelines that cover whether or not you need a permit. Before you begin to plan your perfect party in the park this spring and summer, make sure to call your parks and services board and ask if a permit is needed. Even if you do not need an official permit, you may need to let some authority know about your party. You never know until you call and ask. I organized a party in a local park last year, and there was no need for an official permit, but the park official did discuss where kids’ parties are usually held due to safety concerns. Gathering this information will also be helpful to you.

There is nothing like a party in the park when the weather is good, but make sure to call ahead before sending out your invitations to see about what may be needed!