Easy as 1...2...3 Party Planning Tips

these days (even grandmas have email and Facebook!) Utilize any of the many free services out there or create a private Facebook event!

Get creative. Regardless of your theme, there are lots of places to go for inspiration including Pinterest. By the time your child is 3 or so, they’ll have lots of input on what they want too maybe too much input!

Skip the Goodie Bags! There! We said it! We love the generous spirit behind goodie bags and party favors, but we could all do without random tchotchkes that get played with for five seconds (if that) and then stuffed in a drawer. How about hosting a simple craft activity and letting the result serve as the parting gift? Or taking a group photo and printing out copies (at the party or after) for each child to keep?

Food- Offer a variety of foods. Ordering a few pizzas takes care of the main course, but think about including fruit, nuts, cheese, crackers, or popcorn for snacking. Serve food in single serving containers (not group bowls) to keep germs at bay. Visit the venue- Plan a visit to your venue if you are throwing it outside your home before the party so you can scope it out and anticipate any issues.

Instead of lugging a trunk full of gifts suggest NO GIFTS - If you are overflowing with toys, try something new, host a book exchange. On the invite, ask that everyone bring a book in lieu of a gift, which they will then exchange for a new one. Keep it short! You need one or two activities that will take you to cake time!

Party experts recommend 90 minutes for children under 5. Two hours for ages over 5. Set an End Time. Always err on the side of a shorter party, and note a specific end time on the invitation. As kids get older, most parents will expect to drop off their kids and pick them up at the end of the party. If you’d like some grown up assistants, be sure to arrange for them ahead of time.

Take a lot of Photos. When the party is done all you have left is pictures. Make sure to designate someone to or hire a photographer like our friend Lynn at Lynn Studios (www.lynnstudios1.com).

Write thank-you notes. While sending email invitations is standard these days,

For more information about the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum. please visit schoolhousemuseum.org most guests still appreciate a good oldfashioned physical thank-you card— particularly one written by the birthday child. It can even be a picture if your child can’t write yet. Can’t stand the thought of more wasted paper inevitably ending up in the trash? Send a personalized thank-you email and include pictures of the party.

Few Years - Everyone should feel special on her birthday, but there’s no rule that says your kid has to have an elaborate party every year.

Planning a birthday party doesn’t have to make you want to pull your hair out! It also helps to connect with the right vendors to make sure your party goes off without a hitch! Check out Page 14 for PB Parenting’s bi-annual party planning guide which is also online all year long at pbparenting.com.

The hallmark of GSOTA’s charter program is our K-8 Technology Course Schedule with instruction at all grade levels in:

• Coding/Programming (includes robotics, game design, raspberry pi, etc.)

• Digital Art (includes digital drawing, animation, 3D design, web design, etc.)

• Maker Innovation (includes 3D printing, engineering, resourceful design, etc.) Delving into these domains equips our students with resources for future success in the Digital Age workplace.

At GSOTA, learning is more than the attainment of knowledge; it is a journey of discovery, application, and conversion of information into effective, meaningful life skills and practices. We provide:

• Rich and comprehensive academics in an innovative setting with balanced preparation for standardized tests.

• Development of personal accountability, social aptitude, empathy, positivity, resilience and self-efficacy.

• Attention to social-emotional wellness and mindfulness as part of whole-child development.

• Inclusiveness and participation with each student as a unique and important component of the community.

• Open door for parent involvement with consistent two-way communication and partnership.

When planning your child's birthday party, we'll make sure everyone has a memorable day of fun! Every party includes 2 hours of jump and party time, access to trampoline events, party host to serve you, bottled water for all party attendees, 1 free jump pass for a future visit, 1 free adrenaline T-shirt, a pair of jump socks for all party guests, plus party set up and clean up. Can accommodate parties for 5-100 guests! Located at 7645 Lake Worth Rd just east of the Turnpike. For more information call 561-440-1400 or visit jumpadrenaline. com/lake-worth/birthday-parties. SPECIAL PB PARENTING OFFER! SAVE 20% WITH PROMO CODE: PBPARENT.

Celebrate your kid's birthday artNEST™ style! Birthdays deserve to be special, not stressful. With us you have all the memories with none of the stress. We have different options of celebrations including our Splash parties, customized canvas painting, slime, magic potions, tie dye and more! Let’s talk – we can customize to whatever your heart desires! Located in Delray Beach and Boca. For more information visit artNESTstudios. com or call 561-562-8897.

Make your child’s next birthday a memorable one by hosting your party at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium! With more than 100 handson educational exhibits, a 10,000-gallon aquarium, a full-dome planetarium, a brand new outdoor science trail, an 18-hole mini golf course, and much more, the Science Center provides a unique venue for your upcoming birthday party. We have a variety of birthday themes to choose from including: Diggin’ Dinosaurs, Kabam! Chemistry, Under the Sea, and more. For more information, please call Kristian Zambrana, Director of Visitor Services at 561-370-7703 or email kzambrana@coxsciencecenter.org.

Come and celebrate the fun with us! The basic package includes one hour of gymnastics fun for all your guests; and a half hour of party in our lobby area.

Additional time is optional. The cost for a party starts at $275. Call us to check on availability. First come first serve basis, so reserve your day ahead of time. Located in Lake Worth. For more information call 561868-0288 or visit www.geniesgymastics.com.

Let us give you the full “Star Treatment” for your special day filled with fun and games! Choose a Gymnastics or Ninja party. Party times are available on Saturday and Sundays. Parties include: 1 hour in the gym: warmup, games, obstacle course/ circuit, bars, beams, vault, parachute. ½ hour in party area. Packages start at $275. Located in Boca Raton. For more information please email us at info@gokidschoice.com or call us at 561-998-4225.

Go online or call to reserve your party today! Go online or call to reserve your party today!