When to Have a Party

• When you are planning a birthday party, the first question often is when to have it. If a birthday falls midweek, as they often do, then celebrating the birthday on a more convenient weekend day is a good idea. Have a special meal on the actual day, but save the celebration and party for the weekend.
  
  Furthermore, for children with summer birthdays, having the party shortly before or after school ends--even if it's weeks before the actual day -- is a really good idea. For summer children, friends are often away or otherwise unavailable near their actual birthday, so having an early birthday party can be a bigger and better celebration that would otherwise be able to enjoy.
  
  

Choosing a Theme

• A birthday theme can help direct the activities, supplies and food you'll need for a party. Choose a theme that is age appropriate--the more creative, the better. For younger children, something that incorporates their special stuffed friends like a teddy bear tea party or a dress up party (have them dress up the stuffed animals too!) is a good way to do that. For older children, you can center the party around a favorite show or movie, or around a favorite activity like cooking or gymnastics. For teens, dance parties with a DJ, slumber parties or swim parties are all good ideas. When it comes to adults, choose a favorite restaurant to have a nice dinner party or plan an open-house style party.
  
  

Fun Activities

• The best thing about well-planned birthday parties is the fun activities you get to do. Parties held at your home are great for hands-on crafts and activities. For instance, having children build their own cupcakes is a great way to cut down on party prep time and give kids a fun food-related activity to enjoy. Making tee-shirts, 80's style, with puffy paints can also provide a fun activity that lets kids create something to remember the party by.
  
  Another option is to hold your party at outside the house where the activity is "built in." Build-A-Bear Workshop, which has locations around the country, have birth party packages where you pay a slightly discounted price and get some extra birthday fun while building bears. Other ideas include mini-golf courses, laser tag facilities, children's museums, zoos and cooking schools, all of which offer great activity-based party options.
  
  For adults, cooking is a great party activity and there are many cooking schools and chefs that offer classes for groups both on-site and in your home. Another potential activity for an adult birthday party is a wine tasting. As farm wineries pop up around the country, there are more and more options for holding an event like this.
  
  And for kids of all ages, don't forget the pinata, which can be tremendous fun to break open--even if you are a 40-year-old kid.