| Do you want a house full of excited children bouncing | | | | Pin the Tail on the Donkey is a popular game. It's quiet |
| off your walls ,waiting for their parents to pick them | | | | and can easily be modified to fit any party theme. |
| up? | | | | If your party has a princess theme you can play Pin |
| I didn't think so. | | | | the Tiara on the princess. For our son's Star Wars |
| So what happens after your child's birthday party is | | | | party, we played Pin the Tail on the Wookie. |
| over? | | | | As each guests takes their turn playing, have your |
| Here are two "secrets" you must learn that will quickly | | | | other guests sit on the floor. |
| return peace and quiet to your home following your | | | | Read A Story |
| child's birthday party. | | | | Depending on the age of your child and their guests, |
| OK, they aren't really secrets, but they are excellent | | | | have everyone sit down while you read them a story. |
| strategies that work and work very well. | | | | It can be a theme related story or just a fun story. |
| Your Party's Over, Now What? | | | | What Did You Like Best |
| When your child's party is over, you're tired, worn out | | | | While sitting together, have each child tell what they |
| from being a hostess and you need a break. Waiting | | | | liked best about the party and tell the birthday child |
| to be rescued from a house full of children that are all | | | | "happy birthday." For older children they can write |
| wound up and still looking for fun is the last thing you | | | | down what they liked about the party and write a |
| need. And all you can do is pray for their parents to | | | | special birthday wish for your birthday child. This |
| finally show up and take them home. Sometimes hours | | | | makes fun ready for your birthday child. |
| later! | | | | Sing-A-Long |
| The first strategy starts with the invitation | | | | Again, this depends on the age of your child and their |
| Along with all the other information about your party, | | | | guests. You can easily pick up a sing-along-video or |
| including what time your party starts, you absolutely | | | | you can sing your own songs. Just get everyone |
| must include the END TIME for your party. | | | | together, sitting on the floor having quiet fun. |
| Write this in your own words: | | | | Coloring |
| "Our party will end SHARPLY at 2:00pm" (or | | | | Nearly any age group can draw or color. Just set up |
| whatever time your party will end). Then state in kind | | | | an area with paper, crayons, colored pencils, or some |
| words that children need to be picked up promptly. | | | | other coloring media. For younger children you can use |
| By including this simple bit of information in your | | | | pictures from coloring books, or you can have your |
| invitations you will discover that most parents will | | | | group draw their own pictures. When they complete |
| respect your request and be there at the appropriate | | | | their pictures they can take them home. |
| time to pick up their children. | | | | Craft Projects |
| And you won't be stuck watching a house full of kids. | | | | These can also be theme related like decorating and |
| (Hey, that works for me.) | | | | putting together a princess tiara, or making and |
| The second strategy is actually lots of fun | | | | decorating a pirate's treasure chest. These kinds of |
| How would you like your house full of party guests to | | | | craft projects are easy to find at online party supply |
| be kept busy with quiet games and activities during the | | | | stores. |
| last half hour of your child's party? I know I would. | | | | Watch A Theme Related Movie Or Video |
| Plan at least 3 or 4 quiet games like: | | | | You can also have your guests sit down to watch a |
| Guess How Many | | | | theme related movie or video. If it's a movie, just make |
| When your guests first arrive at your party, have a jar | | | | sure the video doesn't have inappropriate language or |
| full of Jelly Beans, or Marbles, or something theme | | | | scenes and that it's not too intense for younger |
| related like Princess pink Jelly Beans or Gummy | | | | viewers. |
| Sharks. Have pen and paper handy and write down | | | | Can you already feel the peace and quiet? |
| the name of each guest, then have them write down | | | | The basic idea is to slow things down and keep the |
| how many Jelly Beans (or what ever you have) are in | | | | children involved in doing quiet things that are fun. |
| the jar. | | | | Now can you see how these two simple strategies will |
| At the end of your party have all the kids site down. | | | | completely change the way your child's party will end? |
| Then hold up the jar and remind them that they each | | | | No more wound up children bouncing off your walls. |
| made a guess about how many are in the jar. Now | | | | And you won't be completely tired, worn out and |
| read each name and tell what they guessed. Then tell | | | | begging to be rescued. |
| them how many really are in the jar and announce the | | | | Instead, you'll have a great time and when the other |
| winner. The winning prize can be the contents of the | | | | parents come to pick up their children, they'll be |
| jar. | | | | amazed at how quiet things are at your house. How'd |
| Pin The Tail Or Nose On? | | | | you do that? (it will be our "secret"). |