Let’s face it: when it comes to planning, organizing and hosting kids’ party, things can get complicated.  Mothers and fathers alike have a tendency to want to the very best party for their kids, but often they spend so much time stressing over the details and costs, they forget it’s supposed to be about fun!  Kids rarely remember the color of the paper plates, cups or napkins.  And, here’s another tip: they typically don’t care all that much about fancy food. They want pizza, cake, and lots of candy to snack on. 

The best way to throw a fun and low-stress party for your kids or someone else’s is to keep it simple!  Here’s a suggested list of a few fun ideas that won’t break the bank or boggle your brain:

Backyard campout—have kids bring sleeping bags and pitch a couple of tents.  Fire up the grill, serve hot dogs, chips and cake.  Later, roast marsh mellows and host a sing-along, then give the kids a portable DVD player and let them watch movies in the tent all night long!  It’s a fun, inexpensive way to get the kids thinking “nature,” and you won’t have a house full of popped balloons and uneaten food to pick up.

Movie Day—Many movie theaters now have set aside birthday party rooms and allow you to bring in your own cake and favors.  For a price, they provide the popcorn, hotdogs, drinks and paper wear.  Afterward, everyone goes off to see a movie.

Get Your Game On: Baseball season is a great time to get out doors and nothing is more fun than having a public party in the stands.  Get a row of seats for the kids, hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream and let them party in their seats!

1970s Disco Party: Kids of all ages, especially teens, love to rock out and nothing gets them moving faster than a little boogie from the 1970s.  You can thrift-shop hop for funky outfits, hats, and other accessories like big glasses, load up the iPod with top tunes from era, and let the kids get their groove on for the night.

Kids know their limits, even if we think they don’t.  You don’t have to have a Martha Stewart buffet to make them happy.  They eat a few bites at a time and then they’re off and running, especially if they have a party to get back into.  Lay out snacks that are quasi-healthy for in-between, like cheese cubes and apple slices or watermelon, that way you know they get something in their tummies besides pizza and hot dogs.

Want  to sneak in some wholesome goodness in between the part food? Here’s a list of a few more ideas for healthy but delicious food and treat ideas:

1.Fruit Kabobs-use grapes, melon and apples (no bananas).

2.Frozen fruit bars instead of ice cream

3.Corn on the cob instead of potato chips

4.Air popped popcorn with cinnamon on top instead of butter

5.Sugar free lemonade instead of pop or soda

Decorations for kids parties don’t have to be crazy expensive either.  If you have access to a printer you can create fun banners on your laptop, print and tape together pages to string a name or a “Happy Birthday” together.  In addition, don’t forget: e-vites are in, so use your computer to send out invitations instead of paper invites that often wind up in the trash or stuck down in the bottom of the backpack with the half-eaten sandwich.

Don’t forget the most important part of any kids’ party is to have fun and make sure your kids and their guests do the same.  Don’t overextend yourself or your budget, or you’ll be focusing on the negatives instead of the positives.  If you’re stressing out your kids and their friends will feel it.  Try to get the party pre-set and ready to go before the guests arrive, otherwise, you’ll be trying to organize, cook, prepare and plan in the middle of the fun time!