Kid Friendly Family Parties

Kid friendly family parties are becoming more common these days. Have you noticed that many parties today are family affairs? 

Hosting a family party means juggling the task of entertaining not just the adults but also their children and possibly even their parents. It's a unique challenge that requires careful planning and consideration.

While spending even more time with our kids and friends' kids at family parties is excellent, more bodies (regardless of size) mean more work.

When you have to cater to different interest levels and food preferences, a "simple" gathering becomes less simple. These ideas for kid friendly family parties can help ensure everyone has a good time.

Kid Friendly Family Parties

You could make your affair "adults only." But sometimes it's fun to include the whole family. Plus, sitters can be challenging to find, especially during the holidays.

Your role as a host is to create an event where people of all ages can feel comfortable, entertained, and safe. It's a task that may seem daunting, but with the right approach, it's entirely achievable. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Most adult parties are boring for kids. No clowns. No balloons. They don't get what we enjoy about talking to each other over a glass of wine or a martini and nibbling smelly shrimp and cheese.

To keep kids from running wild at your soiree, take the following precautions:

Damage Control

Remind your children that parties are grownup events and we must use prim and proper behavior. No running. No loud voices. No roughhousing. Pretend that you are a prince or princess for the evening.

Put breakables on higher shelves. Anything that can be bumped off or into and broken will be. Move delicate possessions to higher ground until the pint-size stampede is over.

Party Fire Safety

Do not leave lighted candles unattended in bathrooms or anywhere little hands might reach during party time. Fireplace candles or lighters go atop the mantel, not alongside the firewood, in easy reach.

Protect the Pooch

Put all pets away for the evening. They're cute, but dogs and cats can get nippy when mauled by 2-year-olds. More fragile animals like hamsters or birds could be injured.

You'll also lessen the risk of someone accidentally letting the pets escape if you put them in a safe place during the party.

Create a Kid Zone

Set aside a study or den as a dedicated play area for kids. Equip it with toys, videos, computer games, coloring books, and crayons—anything that will entertain them safely.

The kids don't have to stay there - that would be unsociable. But at least you've provided a kid-friendly environment where they can amuse themselves. Be sure to provide a separate teens-only space away from the little kids to make grumpy teens smile.

If you can find a babysitter for your family parties, hire one. Your neighborhood high schooler could probably entertain the mini-masses nicely for a few hours - at a bargain rate. It's well worth your investment. It might even save your carpet.

If you want an adult affair but want to make it easy on parents who might not have regular sitters to call on, arrange for your sitter to watch the kids at one of your guest's homes (preferably nearby). 

If you're having a large party (such as a New Year's Eve gathering), it could even be a sleepover affair, with guests picking up the kids the next morning. 

Just ensure your sitter/kid ratio stays at about one sitter for every five children. If you have more than five kids, hire two (or even more) sitters.

If you cannot find a sitter (try very hard), suggest that parents take turns supervising the kiddie tables. 

Most kids prefer to have their table in another room, especially if you let them watch a video, and I certainly would at family parties.

Menu Planning for Kid Friendly Family Parties

Make a few kid-friendly foods. Kids like carrots, cheese, Goldfish, peppers, popcorn, and pretzels. 

If you're having a dinner party, grilled chicken or burgers, stovetop mac and cheese, or cheese pizza would be good choices for the kids.

Make or buy special drinks for the kids, like lemonade or juice boxes, or buy some "kid champagne" (a.k.a. sparkling cider).

Make sure they have a kids' table where they can reach their special snacks. This way, they won't be dripping dip all over the adult fare. 

Give Gifts

One way to keep the kids happy is to give them each a little gift. It will amuse them for a while, and their parents will love you. 

It's one of the easiest ways to ensure parties are a hit with everyone. If you cannot find a sitter (try very hard), suggest that the parents take turns supervising the kiddie table. 

Most kids will prefer to have their table in another room, especially if you let them watch a video, and on this particular occasion, I certainly would. You're in survival mode here.