From birthday bashes to sleepovers, Laura Jordan has spent the past 11 years helping parents plan children’s parties through her company, St. Louis Children’s Party and Event Rentals. Jordan shared some insights about the things that children want from their celebrations, as well as helpful advice for parents as they plan and prepare for festivities.
What can I do to make sure a kiddo’s birthday party is fun for all attendees? Little ones age 4 and under don’t really need a lot of activities. They’re typically happy with just one activity, like playing with balls or bubbles. Older kids, ages 5 to 11, should have more to experience. Foam parties can be fun for any age, even high schoolers and adults. Hands-on stuff like making jewelry, making slime, and decorating cupcakes can also be really fun for them. Kids of all ages also love bounce houses and face-painting.
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What kind of activities are trendy right now? One of the newest things is for kids to create TikTok videos. Parents or the kids can create backdrops, bring props, and create video after video. This creates memories and takes up time while other activities can be set up. Nerf gun or water balloon wars are fun, and mobile gaming trailers and mobile laser tag are always popular.
Is there a good way to get a child’s input on the party? You have to put it in simple terms: When they think of their birthday, what does that look like to them? Start with their interests. What do they like to do? If your kids like Spider-Man, you can go to Pinterest and find a lot of fun activities for a Spider-Man–themed party. If you’re not sure what to do, then don’t panic—there are so many things out there. If you’re not sure or you can’t find anything, leave it to somebody like me.
What are some things that can make a slumber party fun for a small group? For 90 percent of slumber parties, parents have some kind of movie planned. You might do an Academy Awards theme, where the kids dress up, make popcorn, and watch the movie. Or you might set up a movie night outdoors and make s’mores. I’ve also seen scavenger hunts where you give kids a list of clues and they have to go around the house and find little, hidden objects. It doesn’t take much.
Which destinations around St. Louis are most popular for children’s parties? Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Fenton, any Bowlero for bowling, laser tag, and fun arcade games, the YMCA for swimming, Ultimate Ninjas for obstacle courses… There are lots of great places if you don’t have space in your home. Local parks are also popular. Parents typically bring pizza or have a barbecue and bring coolers of water and soda for the kids.
Speaking of parents, are there things that folks should do to account for the presence of other parents at the party? I’ve been to several where the adults have barbecue or little sandwiches, some drinks, and spend that time getting to know each other while the kids are having a party. Think of it as having a little get-together. One thing I would recommend is for parents to make sure that they have enough help if they are doing the party themselves.
Is there anything else that parents should keep in mind about planning a party? Quite often at birthday parties, the birthday child becomes overstimulated and overwhelmed. They can become rude to their own parents and friends, because they’re excited and they’re having a difficult time regulating themselves. Talk to your child about your expectations for their behavior. This can help them remember how they are supposed to act, and it can bring their energy down to a more manageable level.
