Guides
Kids' birthday party planning guides
Straight answers to the questions parents actually ask: the whole class, drop-offs, allergies, sleepovers, etiquette and games.
- InvitationsDo I have to invite the whole class?No, you don't have to. But how you invite matters more than how many you invite. Here's how to decide, and how to do either one kindly.
- EtiquetteDrop-off party etiquetteDrop-off parties are a gift to busy parents and a big step for kids. A few clear words on the invite and a smooth handoff at the door make them work.
- Food & safetyAllergy-friendly birthday partiesWith a few simple habits, every guest can eat, play and have cake, and every parent can relax.
- SleepoversHow to plan a sleepover birthday partyA great sleepover is mostly about the shape of the night: lots of fun early, a slow wind-down, a clear lights-out and pancakes in the morning.
- EtiquetteBirthday party etiquette for parentsMost birthday-party awkwardness comes from guessing. Clear invites and a few shared habits fix nearly all of it.
- GamesParty games by ageThe best party game is one the kids can understand in ten seconds. Here's what works at each age, and how to run it.
- Printable · for schoolsClass Birthday Kit for PTAs and room parentsEverything a school community needs to make birthdays kind and simple: a policy outline to adapt, a note to send home, and a flyer families can print.
Frequently asked questions
Who writes these guides?
The BirthdayPartyPal team, from a lot of hosted parties and common parenting advice. They're practical guidance, not medical or legal advice.