Party decor can make or break a child’s birthday party. Rather than rely on matching packaged sets, integrate customized or homemade pieces that give the birthday party decorations personality, reflecting the birthday child’s style and preferences. Involve your child in the party planning, encouraging her to brainstorm ideas for themes, party favors and decorating projects. He will enjoy helping make a pinata, paint a scenic backdrop or decorate party favor bags.
Types
The child’s birthday party decor may center around Sponge Bob or one of the Disney princesses, or they may incorporate fantasy creatures and fairytale characters. Using a setting, rather than a character as a theme, inspires a more creative, interactive decor. Consider places, such as outer space, the open sea, the beach, Atlantis, a castle, an enchanted forest, a secret garden or the wild west for themes. For simple thematic party decor, select two complementary colors.
Misconceptions
Abandon your worries about having everything glossy and perfect on the day of the party. Leave some projects out for party guests to complete. They can use fabric paint to customize a banner for the guest of honor, embellish party hats or hand streamers. Set up supplies on a table for adorning plain white paper bags that can store prizes and favors. Children also enjoy decorating their party food. Have them add toppings to personal pizzas and build their own ice cream sundaes.
Effects
Unlike party decorations for adults, which blend into the surroundings, a child’s party decor overtakes the space. Deck out party chairs as thrones by wrapping them in velvet ribbons and fake flowers. Frame a party space with a brilliant archway of balloons. Cover tabletops with sequins, shells, beads or baubles, or set up bright containers filled with activities, such as Legos, soap bubbles or Silly Putty.
Considerations
Children’s birthday party decorations can serve multiple duties. For example, a painted paper or fabric backdrop may have cut-out spaces for people to pose and have souvenir photographs taken. A beach party may have wading pools filled with water or sand and water toys nearby. A circus party will have a big top and games, such as balance beams and hula hoops. A pirate party may feature a giant ship made of boxes and sheets, with a treasure box inside filled with chocolate coins.
Warning
Wrap-around murals, costumed characters and noisemakers ramp up the fun in a party, but it may overwhelm toddlers and young children. A good rule is that the younger the child, the simpler the decor, so that guests do not get overstimulated or frightened.
Photo Credit
- birthday cake image by tomcat2170 from Fotolia.com
