Play some background music on the CD player as guests arrive.Have a craft table set up with a simple craft for the kids to do as you wait for everyone to arrive. These make great take home favors and can easily be adapted to a variety of themes. Some possibilities include painting sun catchers, decorating door hangers, painting a wooden craft, stringing beads on a necklace, glue sequins on a picture frame cut out of foam paper sheets, or color in theme coloring sheets.
If your party is for children ages 5 and up, it is a good idea to have a main event. This could be a treasure hunt, scavenger hunt, a rented bounce house for the kids to jump in, or centers set up for the kids to go through.
A lot of times favor bags are saved for the end of the party, but right before present time is also a good time to hand them out. This is especially nice for younger kids who get jealous watching the birthday child rip into all those presents!!
At present time when everyone is very excited and things can very quickly get chaotic, here is an idea to make each present giver feel special. Set up 2 chairs and have the birthday child sit in a chair and have a chair sitting next to her. Have each child take turns bringing up their present and sitting in the chair next to the birthday child as they unwrap and admire the gift. This makes the gift giver feel special and also gives the birthday child a chance to say thanks to them.
Saving cake time for the end is nice because the time can be adjusted as needed. If the party is running longer than expected, guests can quickly eat and go. Or if there is extra time, guests can eat and have a little free play time.
