42 Hawaii Parent July/August 2026 Once your child starts school, birthday parties can become more than you bargained for. In some places, it’s common to invite your child’s whole class. If you want a smaller party, consider handing out invites outside of school. Finding and sticking to a simple theme can help cut down on party planning stress. Good themes could be a favorite sport, animal, or color. These themes are broad enough that you’ll be able to find related decorations easily. They’ll also help to make the day memorable for your child. As kids get older, it’s more common for parents to drop them off and pick them up after the party. Make the party more enjoyable for you by enlisting a friend to help you watch the kids. Make sure parents know when they should be back to pick up their kids. ELEMENTARY AGE TIPS 4 Decide on a reasonable number of guests. A good rule of thumb is your child’s age, plus one. 4 If your child has a close friend with a birthday around the same time, team up with their parents to have one big birthday party. 4 Send invitations early and request RSVPs to help with planning. 4 Think of party planning as a way to connect with your child. Find age-appropriate things you can do together, like decorating cupcakes or making goody bags. 4 If the birthday boy or girl has siblings who might get jealous, make sure that a close friend or your spouse is around to provide backup. 4 Avoid competitive games, since young kids tend to feel bad if they don’t win. If you’re worried about bad sportsmanship, offer crafts as an alternative to games. Parties at the Elementary Age Celebrations for Tweens
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