GAMES:

Competitive games are the best way to get all the guests engaged and excited. It's easy to take many traditional games and give them a clever twist to fit with your party theme. For example, "pin the tail on the donkey" becomes "pin the crown on the princess" for a princess party. "Freeze tag" becomes "frozen zombies" for a Halloween or monster party. "Hot potato" can be "pass the parrot" for a pirate party, and so on.

FOOD:

Kids party food should be simple, as guests are usually too excited to eat much anyway. Plan an easy entree such as pizza or finger sandwiches and provide various munchies such as cut-up vegetables and dip, grapes and apple slices. The cake and ice cream will provide enough sugar to keep kids happy.

If you want to get a little fancier, visit the many cooking websites for thousands of recipes to inspire you. Food can also be designed to fit with the party theme. For instance, chicken wings become "pteradactyl wings" for a dinosaur party, punch can be a "love potion" for a princess party, chicken tenders can be "golden nuggets" for a pirate party, you get the idea.

FAVORS:

Party favors extend the fun and fuzzy feeling kids get from partying! There's nothing like having "a little something" as a remembrance of a fun day. Goody bags are always popular; even though parents sometimes object to the candy and plastic toys, kids still love 'em!

Gift certificates to fast food restaurants are a hit too, as are books, glow necklaces, and simple personalized toys. "Make and take" party favors are the best as kids get to create and keep their own special parting gifts.

Creating a party theme is easy if you take it step by step and plan ahead. You may find that planning your child's party can be as fun as the party day itself!

Patricia B. Jensen is a mother of three and kids party enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner of Kids-Party-Paradise.com - a comprehensive resource for kids party ideas and complete party plans for many popular themes, including invitations, cakes, decorations, games, costumes, favors, and food.

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