5 Steps to Plan a More Sustainable Kids Party

Throwing your child a birthday party doesn’t have to be a scary experience full of plastic. Here are 5 easy steps to help you plan a fun and more sustainable birthday party.

Step 1: Book the Venue and Entertainment.

The first step in planning a kids party is to find a venue that suits the needs of the children and the size of your guest list. If you are having a party at home, then this isn’t an issue, but you usually need to book a community hall around 7 weeks in advance as they do get busy.

There are many ways to entertain children at a birthday party, but if you are booking outside entertainment or a bouncy castle, then this needs to be done in advance too. Jenette, owner of Hardy Soft Play Hire recommends booking a bouncy castle 4-6 weeks in advance to avoid missing out. Magicians, face painters and other entertainers can be even earlier, so check this out once you have the venue booked.

Step 2: Decide on a Theme and Invite Guests

Once you have the venue and entertainment sorted, it's time to invite guests and decide on a theme. Send out invitations at least two weeks in advance and include all relevant details such as date, time, location, and any special instructions or requests.

If you would prefer not to risk getting unwanted plastic gifts, now is a good time to include a polite little note to say that as you are taking steps as a family to be more sustainable, gifts are not necessary but if you would still like to bring something, a wooden toy or a pre-loved item would be very much appreciated.

As for the theme, consider your child's interests and preferences, and plan the decorations, activities, and games around it. Whether it's a princess party, a superhero party, or a sports-themed party, a clear theme will help you stay focused and organised throughout the planning process.

Step 3: Organise the Food and Decorations

I find that the easiest way to provide food at a kids party, with less wastage is to provide individual paper bags or boxes. You could get your child to decorate or stamp some paper bags in advance and add the food before the party to save time and stress! Include something savoury like a sausage roll or sandwich, a handful of crisps (splitting big bags saves on individual plastic), yoghurt or cheese and a piece of fruit or carrot sticks as well as a sweet treat! Compostable paper cups are a great compromise for busy parents, but re-useable plastic cups from the venue are the best option if you can.

As for decorations, choose colours and designs that fit the theme. Crepe paper streamers and honeycomb paper balls are not only re-useable, but they’re a better alternative to balloons and plastic banners. Don't forget to set up a designated area for gifts and party bags, and a table of drinks & biscuits for the grown ups that stick around will go down very well.

Step 4: Plan Games and Activities for the Children

A key component of any kids party is the games and activities. Choose age-appropriate games that fit the theme and keep the children engaged and entertained. Popular options include pass the parcel, four corners (you can theme this to your party), piñatas and musical statues. Have little foil or paper wrapped sweets or chocolates each time someone is ‘out’ to save any meltdowns.

Having a craft table set out for quieter children or for in between games is a really useful tip. There will be times like when they first arrive and after they have eaten when you will need something to keep them occupied until everyone is ready.

Step 5: Prepare Party Bags and Clean Up

Finally, prepare party bags for the children to take home as a thank you for attending, they also double up as quite a pretty decoration if they are lined up nicely on a table and match the theme.

There are some really fun and useful party gifts available now, like the ‘grow your own’ range and fun plastic-free craft kits from Red Beau as well as mini baking sets from Craft & Crumb. A top tip is to blow the birthday candles out early so that you have time to cut and wrap the cake and put it in the party bags – it takes longer than you’d think!

As for the clean-up, try and get as many helpers as possible to make quick work of the tidying. Have a box ready for anything recycleable and a bin bag for everything else.

Planning a fun sustainable kids party takes a little time and effort but by following these five steps and enlisting the help of friends and family, you can create a memorable experience for your child and their guests.