Hosting a child's birthday party can be a stressful event, but we are here to help you through all the planning and implementing. We hope that the information we provide here will help to make the event more enjoyable for you.

Timing

Many mothers have asked when the best time is to have a party. We have found that weekday parties do not work that well – the children are usually tired because most of them have some form of extra-mural activity, or are just tired from a day at school. In addition, many mothers work and transport is a problem.

The weekend is better because everyone is relaxed and parents are available to transport. If you have a weekend party and your child is over the age of 5, you can decide not to include parents and siblings. These extra people add to the cost of the party and siblings of different ages can affect the games at the party (we have had parties where younger siblings have destroyed crafts and broken games equipment!!). If you decide to go this option, put clearly on the invitation “drop off @ …… & collect @ ……”. Some mothers feel obliged to stay when they don't really want to, so this may help them. In addition, children are easier to handle when their parents are not around!!!! Just remember – you do not have to include parents and siblings in your party, people often use the opportunity for some free babysitting!!

Planning your child’s party

The key to making your child's party relatively stress-free and successful is PLANNING . Use our list (you are welcome to print it) as your guide:

About 1 month before

• Decide on date and time (check that it doesn't clash with anything important like sport, school events or other birthdays – check with the class teacher)
• Decide on theme (this helps give structure to the party and can be decided on with the birthday child)
• Decide on venue
• Decide on number of children to invite

3 weeks before

• Book venue (if required)
• Book people to run party (if required)
• Book equipment (if required)
• Order cake (if you would like a special cake, they need time to make the icing decorations)
• Make invites (if your child is old enough and wants to, let them make it. Note: from 5 yrs, parents should be able to drop off and collect their children. If you do not wish to have to cater for parents and siblings, don't be scared to put “drop off @ …… and collect @ ……” on the invite.)

2 weeks before

• Send out invites
• Collect replies
• Buy things for party packs
• Organise décor (if you would like to have)

1 week before

• Follow-up on cake
• Buy food & drinks
• Pack party packs
• Check weather forecast and make alternate plan for bad weather, if necessary

Day of party

• Lay table and put out food (let birthday child help)
• Help party child get dressed and give them a special hug
• Put party packs in a place that is easy to get to, but out of reach of kids!
• Mark the venue, so people can find it easily
• Put the cake out, as the children love looking at it
• Put on some nice, soothing music to counter act the excitement!
• Put out a basket/bag for the presents
• Have a piece of paper and pen on hand to make a note of the presents when the birthday child opens them

Before everyone arrives, take a deep breath and relax! You are well prepared and remember that nothing ever goes perfectly. The party is about the birthday child – the best gift you can get is the smile on their face…

Day after party

• Write Thank You cards (if birthday child is old enough, they can do it themselves)

Venue

We do not supply a venue, as most people have parties at their houses. We do not need a huge lawn for our parties and are able to adapt to space. If you are looking for a venue, we can suggest a Scout hall, school fields, your local park, or perhaps choose one of our special venue parties on the beach, or in the forest. If the weather is expected to be bad, we can always use a playroom or garage at your house. However, if this is not a good option, you can try your local church hall or Scout Hall. We are very adaptable.

Food

Many mothers tend to over cater for food at parties. Remember that the children will be running around most of the time.

Parties are a time for children to overdose on sugar, but don't go overboard. Have some sweets, but make sure they are safe (no peanuts, marshmallows for small children, boiled sweets etc). Also, rather leave the fizzy drinks out – they make the children hyperactive. Rather have fruit juice.

Alternate ideas are: dried fruit, muffins, raisins, biltong, sandwiches, rice cakes, Fizzers, small Chomps, Zoo biscuits, homemade biscuits, cupcakes, small pizzas, popcorn for older children and crisps. A good way to avoid wastage is to pack a “bag” of goodies for each child. They can then take leftovers home with them.

Cakes

Everyone has their own idea of what they want. We do have bakers who can assist you with this.

Décor

Ask us about our décor options.

Prizes/Party packs

Prizes and Party Packs are a very personal issue; but we can assist you with this. We have a variety of options available for you to choose from. If you would like to supply prizes at the party, we suggest 1 or 2 per child and make them instantly usable (especially for boys). Another option is to make the Party Packs the prizes for the end of the party.

ADHD Treats List

Read the labels

Only Natural or Nature-Identical products are acceptable. Products that are only approved are not acceptable, because they are artificial. Avoid all colouring and preservatives. Be on the look out for the following words on labels and avoid them: Disodium, EDTA, BHA, BHT, TBHQ, Calcium Propionate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sulphur Dioxide, Sodium Metabisulphite, MSG of Mono Sodium Glutamate.

Sweets

• Nestle: Milo Bars, Classic, Kit Kat (Plain & Peppermint), Kit Kat Chunky, Aero (Plain & Peppermint), Aero Chunky
• Noogy Bars: A lot has been approved – check ingredients
• Beacon: Damascus Nougat – Original
• Woolworths: Yogurt Gums, Fruit Salad Jellies, Winnie the Pooh Milk Chocolate filled with Honeycomb Chunks, Winnie the Pooh Double layered Fruit Jellies
• Monkey: Sherbet
• Clover: Dirkie sweetened condensed milk – Regular
• Snaxels: Choc and Yogi Sticks (Clicks)
• Todes: Yogurt Bars
• Sugar Daddy: Sugar Coated Chocolate Eggs – White Only
• Mister Sweet: Fudge Bars, Toffees in liquorice and caramel, Creamy Toffee, Peanut Snack Bar

Chips

• Super-Snax: Barbeque, Peri-Peri, Savoury Cheese, Salt and Vinegar
• Simba, Lays, Willard: Lightly Salted - Contains Anti-oxidants (Do not consume on a daily basis - only as a special treat)
• Bandito's Nachos: Natural Corn Chips – Salted

Cold Drinks

• Coca Cola: Doesn't contain any preservatives or artificial colouring, although do not consume on regular basis as it contains sugar and caffeine
• Pure Fruit Juice: Read the labels. Only juice with Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid: Brands : Liquifruit, Ceres, Pure Joy, Woolworths

Cookies

• Woolworths: Choc Chip Crunchies, Family Assorted - Transparent bag with 4 varieties, Danish butter biscuits, Digestive Biscuits

Lactose-Free Diet Guidelines

Lactose is the natural sugar found in milk and milk products. Some people are unable to digest milk. Lactase is the digestive enzyme that helps the body to digest lactose. A lactase deficiency can lead to the accumulation of lactose in the intestine, which can cause nausea, gas, cramps, bloating and diarrhea. Some lactase deficient children can tolerate small amounts of milk products such as cheese, yogurt, ice cream, or milk used in cooking.

When following a lactose-free diet, it is necessary to read food labels for hidden sources of lactose such as whey, milk solids, and dry milk powder.

Since milk and milk products are a major source of calcium, check with a dietitian or your physician regarding calcium supplements.

Following is a listing of various food groups and within each, foods that are allowed on a lactose-free diet and foods to avoid.

Beverages

• Foods to Avoid: Whole, lowfat, nonfat milk; half & half, cream; powdered, condensed, evaporated, goat, acidophilus, and chocolate milk; instant breakfast
• Foods Allowed: Non-dairy milk substitutes; Lactaid milk; soy milk, rice drink; carbonated drinks; fruit juices/drinks; lemonade; Isomil

Breads/Starch

• Foods to Avoid: muffin, biscuit, waffle, pancake, and cake mixes
• Foods Allowed: French bread, graham crackers, saltines, bagels

Desserts

• Foods to Avoid: Ice cream, sherbet, ice milk; yogurt; chocolate; cakes, pies, custards and puddings made with milk
• Foods Allowed: Non-dairy frozen sorbet; angel food cake; custard and pudding made with water or milk substitute

Sweets

• Foods to Avoid: Toffee, butterscotch, caramel; artificial sweeteners
• Foods Allowed: Molasses, syrup