A two-hour kids’ birthday party at home

Two hours is long enough for games, food and cake, and short enough that nobody falls apart. A party at home also keeps things simple: one room for games, one table for food and a clear plan for the time.

Two weeks before: the guest list

• A common rule of thumb is about as many guests as the child’s age, plus one. A group of six to ten children is plenty for most homes.
• Send invitations with a clear start and end time, the address and a way to reply.
• On the invitation, ask parents to tell you about food allergies and anything else you should know.
• For children under about six, ask a parent to stay. For older children, collect a phone number for each parent who leaves.

The week before: supplies

• A birthday banner and party hats
• Paper plates, cups and napkins
• Birthday candles and a lighter, kept out of reach
• Balloons, with a plan for where they go (see below)
• Bubble wands and sidewalk chalk for outside time
• Name tags, so adults can call children by name
• Small favor bags for the end, if you want them

The two-hour plan

First 15 minutes, arrivals: set out a simple activity children can join right away, such as coloring pages or a sticker table. Put name tags on as they come in.

15 to 50 minutes, games: run two or three short games, such as freeze dance, a treasure hunt with picture clues, or musical statues. Keep each one under 15 minutes and stop while children are still having fun.

50 to 80 minutes, food: serve simple food everyone can eat, then cake.

80 to 105 minutes, free play or outside time: bubbles and sidewalk chalk need no rules and no winners. Keep an adult outside with the children, and keep them away from the street and any pool.

Last 15 minutes, presents and goodbyes: opening presents during the party is optional. Many families open them after guests leave, which saves time and hurt feelings. Hand out favor bags at the door.

Food and allergies

• Ask about allergies before you shop. The nine major US food allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish and sesame.
• Keep the menu short and read every label, including the cake, frosting and sprinkles.
• If a child has a serious allergy, ask the parent what is safe, or invite them to bring a safe plate and treat.
• Whole grapes, popcorn, nuts and hard candy are choking hazards for children under 4. Skip them for young guests, or cut grapes into quarters.
• Don’t leave food out for more than two hours, or one hour if it’s above 90°F. Put perishable food back in the fridge after the meal.

Balloons

Balloons, including uninflated or broken pieces, are a choking hazard for children under 8. Keep balloons high up or outside the play area, and pick up every piece right away when one pops. Some people are allergic to latex, so ask, or choose foil balloons instead. Keep foil balloons away from power lines, and cut the strings short for young guests.

Candles and the cake

• Light candles right before singing, with an adult standing next to the cake.
• Tie back long hair and keep sleeves and paper decorations away from the flames.
• Remove candles before cutting the cake, and put the lighter away.

Favor bags without small parts

For guests under 3, skip anything that fits inside a toilet paper tube. Good options for most ages: a bubble wand, a piece of chalk, a few stickers or a small notebook. Skip candy if you’re not sure about allergies. Avoid light-up toys with button batteries and toys with small magnets; both can cause serious harm if swallowed.

After the party

Make a note of who gave what, so the birthday child can say thank you. A short drawing or a photo card works well for young children.