The Birthday Party Planner for Kids

SIMPLE GIFTS By Sharen Pearson As a mother of five and now grandmother of seven, I’ve planned my share of birthday events. I am a creative person, so my problem is “going over the top.” My expectations supersede those of the birthday child. So, I have to step back and say, “Whose birthday is it anyway?” And, therein lies the key to a successful birthday party. I recently assisted with my grandson, Waylon’s party. He was reaching that big-boy age of 5 years. He knew what theme he wanted: Herbie the Love Bug. He wanted a backyard campfire and a cake with Herbie on it. Simple—Herbie, campfire, cake. Got it! My daughter complied. She invited a few families from church that Waylon knew well and was comfortable around. Since entire families were represented, parents were there to help with crowd control. Bowls of chips and dip provided a place to gather around as people arrived. Children scattered to play in the back yard, parents grouped to watch and chat. Easy, huh? Daddy lit a small fire in the campfire ring in the yard. More talk, more easy playing. The cake was a simple giant chocolate chip cookie with a frosting “Herbie.” Waylon thought it was wonderful. Mommy announced that it was gift-opening time and everyone pulled up lawn chairs and sat in family groups. Waylon sat in the middle of the circle on the grass and guests watched as he opened each gift and thanked the giver. He received many nice gifts, but to everyone’s delight, a small, inexpensive VW bug toy car was his favorite. He opened it, raised it above his head as if it were a trophy and yelled in delight. Waylon slept with his “Herbie;” woke up and greeted it; placed it on the edge of the tub so he could see it. He had the birthday he wanted. Simple party, simple gift, simple fun! Some suggestions to consider when planning your party: If your child is old enough to have input, allow it. For ages 1-5 years, simple is best. Simple decorations, simple food, simple games. Invite only one party guest per age of the child. Young children are very intimidated by many children of the same age. Remember, “Whose birthday is it?” If guests include family/friends with older children, add activities especially for them. Home is the best place for children ages 5 and under. Big party venues are confusing, scary and do not position the “birthday child” as the center of attention as he should be. Some traps that parents fall into: Making the party so complicated that you, as the parent, no longer enjoy it. (Been there, done that.) Allowing young party guests to get close to and grab for gifts as as the birthday child is opening them. (Admit it, you’ve seen this haven’t you?) Spending too much money. (Guilty as charged.) Preparing food for adults and not age-appropriate to the guests. (The only thing to show off today is your wonderful child) Engaging in sleepover parties before the age of 9 years. (Children younger than 9 or 10 years often find sleeping at someone else’s home frightening and uncomfortable.) Author Bio

Sharen Pearson’s Goof & Giggle classes and materials continue to provide a quality Mom/Tot interaction. Widely popular, Goof & Giggle’s child-focused play plans are offered in various Arizona communities. She’s also created a variety of Goof Juice DVDs and filmed episodes of Baby D.I.Y. and written workbooks for BabyFirstTV. Arizona Midday (NBC) tapes monthly segments with Sharen to provide their audience with a variety of original and creative “easy to do” activities for babies and preschoolers. Sharen’s creativity reaches a combined audience over 200 million viewers worldwide. Goof & Giggle classes and products encourage green living, repurposing materials from around the house into affordable objects for play and learning. Learn more at: http://sharenpearson.com/   **This article is used by permission from Kathy Carlton Willis Communications

STOP BUGGING ME
Buggy Fun for  Summer

By Sharen Pearson
Much to the dismay of their mothers, toddlers hold a relentless fascination for bugs. They follow, squish, catch and even eat them! Perhaps the novelty lies in the never--‐ending variety of creepy crawlers or that bugs are smaller than these little ones. Here are some simple buggy activities that will enchant your children this summer.

Bug Catcher
Save the net from your fresh produce.
Lace a chenille wire around the top to support the sides. The net makes a tiny bug catcher for your child. Always help identify any bugs that might be dangerous.
Catch, observe and release.

Butterfly or Dragonfly
Attach colored tissue paper wings to a toilet tissue or paper towel tube for wings. Slip a hair band over the tube and place on toddler’s wrist to Flap and Fly.
For more advanced work, drop food color onto a wet coffee filter.
Allow to dry and use for wings.

Two filters for dragonfly and one for butterfly.

Big Bug
Fashion antennae with chenille wire and attach to your child’s head with clips.
Gather a sheet of tissue paper at the center. Duct tape to the back of the shirt for butterfly
wings.
Fly away little butterfly!

Tot Cocoon
Give your toddler the end piece of a roll of toilet tissue.
Have him gently spin to wrap the paper around and around forming a cocoon.
If the paper breaks, just tuck the loose end in and begin again. Continue as your child is comfortable (most won’t let you cover the face). Count 1, 2, 3 and have your butterfly “hatch out” and fly away.

Lady Bug
Make a tiny ladybug from the cup of an egg carton.
Cut the section. Paint red and add black dots. Tape twisted bits of paper on for antennae. For a counting activity: make five bugs and draw 1 spot, 2 spots etc. on the five bugs. Count the spots and the bugs.

Caterpillar
Cut a six--‐section length from an egg carton. Your toddler can glue cotton balls on each section for “fuzz.” Draw a face on one end of the section and add chenille or paper antennae.
Punch a hole in the front and tie a string on to “Talk your bug.”
For more advanced work, paint each section of the caterpillar yellow or even a rainbow.

Bug Collage
Draw (or print from a website) several bugs on paper.
Make a simple paste of flour and water. Your tot can glue on dry rice, macaroni, bits of colored  paper and/or cake sprinkles to decorate the bugs.

Bugs in a tub
Pour 6 cups of dry rice into a large flat container. Add toy plastic bugs (or your ladybugs), measuring cups, recycled plastic containers, paper tubes and play as in a sand box. To protect the floor and give your activity a boundary, place the tub in the center of a sheet or shower curtain. Your child will play for hours.

Sharen Pearson’s Goof & Giggle classes and materials continue to provide a quality Mom/Tot
interaction. Widely popular, Goof & Giggle’s child-focused play plans are offered in various
Arizona communities. She’s also created a variety of Goof Juice DVDs and filmed episodes of
Baby D.I.Y. and written workbooks for BabyFirstTV. Arizona Midday (NBC) tapes monthly
segments with Sharen to provide their audience with a variety of original and creative “easy to
do” activities for babies and preschoolers. Sharen’s creativity reaches a combined audience
over 200 million viewers worldwide. Goof & Giggle classes and products encourage green
living, repurposing materials from around the house into affordable objects for play and
learning. Learn more at:
http://sharenpearson.com/
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