How to Throw a Kids’ Birthday Party in a Small House

Kids’ birthday parties are about creating core memories that your children will look back on as happy times. They are opportunities to show your kids how special and loved they are. It doesn’t matter what size your house is — you can throw an unforgettable party, even with limited space. 

Learning how to host a party in a small house is all about making the most of your space and putting effort into planning a fulfilling experience. 

Select the Best Time

The timing for a kids’ party is everything. You want them to have enough time to play together but not so much time that they run out of coloring pages and start drawing on your walls. 

Typically, the ideal time is around 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., which allows you to serve lunch at 12 and send everyone off with a full stomach. However, if lunch is not in the budget or too much of a hassle, it’s best to go with a mid-afternoon slot so you can serve snacks instead of a whole meal.

Send Virtual Invitations

Save some trees and choose virtual invitations over paper. Not only are they the more sustainable option, but they’re also incredibly fun. You can create one with your child’s favorite cartoon characters or images related to their special interests. Once they’re done, simply email or text them to the party guest’s parents.

With a small space, it’s important to prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of inviting the whole class, ask your kid to invite their closest friends to keep the guest list in check. This smaller environment will also be less chaotic, allowing you to craft a more valuable experience for the smaller number.

Choose a Simple, Fun Theme 

Themed kids’ parties are exciting but you don’t want to go all out on wasteful items like expensive plastic decor or themed cutlery. Use what you have to create a party that’s still within the theme your child desires. Stick printed pictures that fit the theme to your cups, walls and tables. That way, you can use what you have and easily remove the pictures when the party’s over. Simple decor items also leave more room for kids to use their imaginations when engaging in role-playing games.

Use Homemade Decorations 

Get the whole family involved and have a craft night where you all make decorations for the upcoming party. One major benefit of a smaller space is that it’s easier to spruce up. DIY decorations are also a great way to get the birthday kid involved in the process and stir up more excitement for the big day.

Create Leftover-Friendly Snacks 

Homemade meals are more nutritious and better for storing away as leftovers. Once the party ends, you can keep the leftovers and enjoy them the next day. Here are a few leftover-friendly snacks that’ll make your next party a hit: 

• Cheese and ham sandwiches: These sandwiches don’t have any soggy ingredients so they freeze well. Wrap them in parchment paper and defrost them on a hot pan for a quick and melty sandwich. 
• Fruit salad: While fruit salad won’t last past a few days in the refrigerator, you can freeze it in zip-close bags for ready-to-go smoothies.
• Mini pizzas: You can select a mix of toppings to suit the party theme. The leftovers defrost easily for a convenient snack or lunch. 

Set Up Exciting Play Areas 

It’s no secret that kids have short attention spans. Set up play areas with a range of activities. A few simple board games and coloring kits give the kids a chance to enjoy playing together in an organized way and bring some mental stimulation. To make it even more exciting, you could offer cool prizes for the winners.

Incorporate some funny games into the mix, like a funny face competition. Instead of just watching the kids have fun, you should get involved, too. It’ll strengthen your family bond and create a happy memory for everyone present.

Take It Outside

Birthday cake energy is a typical kids’ party phenomenon, and there’s really only one solution — to burn it off. Once the cake is cut, it’s a good idea to take the kids outside for some energy-burning activities. Outdoor games don’t require expensive equipment or large spaces. Here are some fun activities that work for any area or budget: 

• Use objects you have on hand to create a fun obstacle course.
• Play hide and seek. 
• Enjoy a game of hot potato. 
• Have a talent competition with the birthday kid as the judge. 

If you can’t take it outside, have a dance party. It’s an excellent way to bolster cognitive development and is also pretty entertaining. You don’t need a lot of space — just move your furniture aside.

Offer DIY Party Favors

Why not give a take-home gift that the kids can get involved in and keep as a treasured memory? DIY party favors are better for the environment than store-bought options, and you can make them with recyclable or reusable materials. Here are some examples of DIY party favors that will make your celebration a hit:

• Sugar cookies: The kids can decorate the cookies with colored icing and candy. They can then take them home and enjoy them with family. 
• Fridge magnets: Ask the kids to draw their favorite thing from the party. Give them small cardboard squares to draw on, and then stick a magnet on the back for a DIY fridge magnet.
• Plasticine sculptures: Set up a tablecloth to protect your table and get the kids to create plasticine sculptures of anything they like. They can take the sculptures home and reuse them.

A Small House Can Equal Big Fun With the Right Steps

With proper planning and consideration of space, you can host a party that your kids and their friends will absolutely love. You can also incorporate sustainable living practices into the birthday party so that other kids can take home valuable lessons about reducing waste and living in harmony with the environment.