What does a hotel room cost to rent for a party?  Do you have any other tips for planning a kids’ party at a hotel?

A kid’s party held at a hotel is a popular venue for kids’ parties, especially tweens. The cost really depends on the hotel and its room rates. I would definitely make phone calls in your community to see about rates, explain your party idea, and see how the hotel may be able to accommodate your party. Certainly, there may be guest restrictions or noise restrictions. Also, if you are holding the party in a hotel so the kids can swim, it will be important to make sure that a lifeguard is on duty for safety purposes. The most important part of this party’s research is the room rates, and whether or not the hotel is willing to accommodate a kid’s party and, if so, for how many.

Often when little kids are asked what exactly they would like for their next party…they let you know exactly what it is…and often they are seemingly completely unrelated, i.e. a strawberry bubble party. How about a princess superhero party? Recently, I heard of one kid who wanted this theme for her party…you may also find your little one asking for out of this world themes…but actually they are really just their favorite characters, ideas, and/or things combined into one. Now, here is where you really need to become creative…in the latter case of the princess superhero party…here are a few ideas:

When the guests arrive, and they are all dressed up as a princess…use a magic wand and dispense a super power that the kid will have during the party. You could even ask them what Super Power they would want most to have…then bestow it on them in a little ceremony. As an opening craft idea, Have them make a door hanger depicting their super power using pre-cut door hanger cutouts from a craft store using glitter glue, markers, and crayons.

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So, your daughter wants a Princess party and the school rule is that you must invite the entire class … including the boys! How will this theme work for both boys and girls together? Recently, I wrote a plan for a Fairy party that is quite similar to a Princess party. If you add some “boy friendly” activities that girls will also enjoy, the theme will be a smashing success for both the princesses and princes.

Here are a few ideas to use in this party for boys and girls:

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What if you want to throw your child a great party, and yet you, as the parent, don’t have a lot of energy to keep up with the kids?

This question recently came to me from a Mom who was pregnant.  She wanted her first child to have a great birthday party and have fun, while also taking care of herself and not over-exerting herself.

With kids under the age of 5, most parties should not last more than 90 minutes.  If your child is between the ages of 3 to 5, and if your budget allows for it, this would be a good time to hire an entertainer for the kids.  The entertainer should provide a full hour of entertainment for the kids.  Also, some entertainers provide balloon animals and other little party items.  If you hire an entertainer who provides this stuff, I would not get any further “goody items.”

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OK, I admit that I tune into Desperate Housewives on Sunday nights…ah, it’s a fanciful, good fun show…at least I think so as I don’t take it that seriously. Except last night, when I took a lesson from Bree’s disastrous birthday party that she threw for her 17 year old daughter.

In typical fashion, the birthday girl just wanted to hang out with her friends at the house. Still, she knows her mom can make a great cake, so she did ask Bree to make her a birthday cake. Bree didn’t tune into her daughter so well, and the following morning she presents a huge balloon number 17 in bright pink and white balloons. OK, so Bree can’t sleep and is trying to make up to her daughter for having forgotten her birthday, but she actually made her life a lot harder by not taking a true clue from her kid: she really only wanted a few friends over and a cake. She also had hired a great entertainer, and even mentioned having seen the video, and had to cancel the performer as well.

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