WHERE TO START?

Often when planning children's parties one can feel overwhelmed with anxious excitement, not sure where to begin. Foremost would be to get a theme that your child is really excited about. The last thing any party planner wants is a half-hearted response from the birthday boy when she brings out the cake that took hours to perfect.

Start deciding on a theme a few weeks in advance as some children take a while to make up their minds. The Internet and Party shops has lots of ideas for kid's parties.

WHAT TO DO?

The success of children's parties is determined by the party activities and not so much by the eats. There isn't sense in having a wonderful cake and eats but the kids are bored and listless, eyeing each other from a distance. If the activities coincide with the theme, you are ready for a party the children will talk about for a long time.

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE

One of the children's parties that get boys and girls jumping with excitement is "The Jungle Book" theme. A jungle gym and sandpit will add a lot to the festivities.

Start the party with a TREASURE HUNT-not for food but for clothes. Buy green and brown material that the children can tie around there waists and heads. (The girls can get bikini tops too).
Put out jungle colored FACE PAINTS and let them paint each other.
By this time their tummies will rumble. Surprise them with "JUNGLE SOUP"-chicken soup with dinosaur bones in. Roll out frozen pastry and cut bone shapes from it. Bake in the oven till golden brown.
Serve DRINKS like berry juice in coconut shells with straws.
Time to go FISHING. Use carton to cut out fish shapes. Put paper clips on each one and throw them in a big container. Make fishing rods by tying long ropes with magnets on to sticks. Let the children go to the top of the jungle gym and start fishing. (Write numbers on the fish. The number each child catches will be used in the next jungle activity).
One of the old time favorites on children's parties must be the OBSTACLE COURSE. Put out boxes and hoops for them to go over and under. Folded towels double as squares to jump on with one leg. Let them go up the jungle gym's commando net and down the fireman's pole until they cross the finish line.
Time for the BIRTHDAY CAKE! Children tend to appreciate cake more when given before they get sweets.
Bury a few small toys like plastic dinosaurs, animals and snakes in the SANDPIT. Be sure there are two to three toys per children and tell them they are limited to that when they dig. While the children are digging, ask someone to help prepare for the next activity.
Tie the LOOT BAGS loosely to the jungle gym. Be sure to write names on to prevent a fist fight from breaking out. Watch the children go up and down the jungle gym like monkeys looking for food.

Ideas for eats to go with the jungle theme

Sweets like sour worms or snakes.
Jungle fruit like mangoes, bananas, pineapples.
Savory spiders made from two round salty cracks stuck together with a mixture of butter, marmite and cheese. Put some pretzel sticks in as legs and marmite for eyes.

To help set the scene, put big leaves on tables and chairs.

After the hustle and bustle the jungle children should be just about ready for a little nap under the nearest tree. Congratulations on a great children's party!

Should you require professional advice on jungle gyms, do visit www.junglegymworld.com.