Cookie Monster
Cake created by Betsy McGee
Your toddler is probably more excited about the upcoming birthday than they were a year ago. They are starting to understand the idea behind a party just for them. This means there is more responsibility placed on the parents to make sure that this important day is a special event that the child will remember. Incorporating a theme into the toddler's birthday party can help you organize this event in a memorable way. Does this Spark an idea?
Selecting the Theme
The simplest way to select a theme for your toddler's birthday party is simply to ask the child. They will not hesitate to tell you what kind of party they want; however, their choice may change the next day. For example, three-year old Benjamin knew that he wanted a Cookie Monster cake; five minutes later he decided that he wanted an Elmo cake and his daddy wanted a Cookie Monster cake. Eventually, you will have to narrow the theme down to one of your child's choices.
If you are unable to get the theme from your child, choose something that you know they are interested in or something they are learning. For example, if your child is learning the ABC's, create a party based on this theme.
Preparing Theme Items
Most toddlers will be perfectly content with a simple party. It is far too easy to overwhelm a young child with presents, guests and activities. Lisa Schulman, a parenting writer for ivillage.com, suggests that toddler parties should last no longer than three hours.
Preparing a party to entertain toddlers should be simple since presents and cake will consume part of the time. For a birthday theme, you will need to purchase wrapping paper, a cake or cupcakes, invitations, plates, napkins and silverware. Additional items may include themed balloons, birthday hats and party gifts. In addition, you may want to prepare food, snacks and games that accompany the chosen theme.
Theme Ideas
Both girls and boys enjoy themes from their favorite television show or movie. Toddlers love seeing their favorite characters from Sesame Street, Disney, and Barney on their plates or as a cake. Although these types of parties are usually the most expensive due to copyright laws, they are also the easiest because party stores have these items readily available.
Common themes for boys include cars or trucks, their favorite sport or dinosaurs. If you plan to give your son a Little Tike basketball hoop, you can plan the birthday around this present by incorporating a basketball theme with a basketball shaped cake, basketball plates, and cheese balls and donuts for snacks
Common themes for girls include princesses, tea parties and dolls. If you plan to give your daughter a tea set for her birthday, you can have the girls bring their dolls to the party. As an activity, the girls conduct a tea party with their dolls while you provide real Kool Aid and cake.
Tags: Cookie Monster, their favorite, your child, birthday party, Common themes