Kiddipedia
It might feel like the school holiday period is always up-and-coming, and that’s because it is. We’re lucky to have plenty of lengthy school holiday breaks here in Australia. But if there was any downside to our school holiday calendar, it’s this: a lot of kids often have all their birthdays smack bang in the middle of a school holiday.
This can be a blessing and a curse. For instance, it means never having to deal with going to school on your birthday, but it may also mean that your friends are always away on holiday and can never attend your birthday party.
For parents of kids who celebrate a birthday over the school holidays, you’re probably wondering when and how to start party planning to ensure that your kid’s next birthday party is well-enjoyed and well-attended. So mums and dads – this is the guide for you.
In this article, we’ll outline all the exciting (and not-so-exciting) factors to consider when planning a birthday party over the school holidays.
Plan a fun & Unique Activity for Kids to Enjoy
Yes, a lot of kids may be going away on your child’s birthday, but for those who don’t have any travel plans, why not make sure your school holiday birthday party brings some adventure instead? After all, some of the best birthday gift ideas for primary school-aged kids aren’t actually material gifts – they’re unforgettable experiences.
Does your kid love marine life or trips to the beach? Then why not go host their birthday at your local aquarium or maybe even go dolphin and whale watching if there are areas around your city to do so? Is your kid the outdoorsy, adventurous type? Then a birthday at a rock climbing centre could teach them some new skills while treating them and their friends to a laughter-filled day. And what if your little one loves anything with wheels and an engine, or exploring new locales? Then why not power through a valley on a steam train and grab a bite to eat in a local picturesque town afterwards?
So long as you find some activities that your kids and their friends will be sure to enjoy, then there’s no reason why your party won’t be the highlight of all their school holidays!
Get your Invitations out Early
Depending on your child’s age, it’s important that they’re involved with their party planning in some capacity. And one area they’d definitely want to get involved in is preparing their party guest list. We recommend sitting down with your child sooner rather than later to discuss the invitation scroll. This way, you and your child can mutually decide upon invitees so invitations can be sent out before the school term ends.
Getting your invitations out nice and early can also be helpful for determining just how many attendees you can feasibly expect. The sooner you know the better, as you can start outlining how much food and other party supplies you’ll need to cater to your guests.
Having RSVPs sent out earlier can also reduce the likelihood of your child’s closest friends booking a holiday the same day as their birthday party. Most parents may plan their own family getaways around events in their kids’ school holiday social calendar, after all. So make sure your invitees know the party information early enough to make space in their own busy holiday itineraries!
Use a Budget Planner
Parties are best organised by using a checklist and allocating a budget. This is especially the case for school holiday parties, where your party activity options are far more substantial – and you may be contending with school holiday price hikes!
Thankfully, well-organised parents have nothing to fret over here. A good start is simply adopting a finance/budget planner. This could be a notebook, a financial checklist, an Excel spreadsheet – anything that keeps you organised and will allow you to calculate the cost of your child’s party, including any last-minute bits and bobs you may have forgotten. A finance planner will ensure you’re not exceeding your budget and is generally helpful for all your costly party needs.
And once you’ve got your budget finalised, you can really start experimenting with the food, drink, and activity options available to you to create the perfect birthday party. Just be sure to consider expenses like admission tickets when looking at venues for your kids’ birthday parties. You may find that some play spaces or parks actually provide free entry to kids or special offers for kids’ birthday parties, so be sure to look out for these options to maximise your party planning budget.
Schedule your Party on a Weekday
Another thing to consider is your fellow parents. If you’re feeling generous, you should consider planning your child’s birthday party to fall on a weekday to give their parents a bit of a break from their children on the weekend. This is a great courtesy for parents who may still be working full-time during the school holidays. So if you’re friends with any of these parents, it might be a good idea to whip out the group chat and ask them which day works best for them. We’re certain they’ll appreciate the favour.
Planning your kid’s birthday party to fall on a weekday during the school holiday may also reduce the risks of your child’s best friends not being available. After all, there’s typically less going on for families on weekdays in the school holidays.
And the best reason of all for scheduling your kid’s birthday party on a weekday is potentially being able to take advantage of lower prices for activities. It’s all about booking some fun during off-peak timeframes!
Plan a Screenless Party
Finally, in today’s technology-infused world, many children spend the majority of their time staring at iPads, televisions, computers, Nintendos – you name it! This is why planning a screenless, ideally outdoor activity is important for your child’s birthday party.
Good old-fashioned outdoor activities will ensure the party will be a unique experience for your child and their guests. So be sure to plan activities that will get your guests active, keeping them on their toes. More importantly, ensure the party will provide your child with the opportunity to socialise, socialise, socialise with all their friends. That way, your child and their friends will be able to make lasting memories on the special day.
We hope this article has provided you with some ideas and inspiration that’ll help you set the right foot forward in your party planning journey. Ultimately, the most important thing is that the party is fun for your child (and hopefully for you, too). We wish you luck on your birthday party endeavours.
