How to Plan a Children’s Christmas Party

How to Plan a Children’s Christmas Party

Children love Christmas and will celebrate any chance they get!  Whether you are planning a children’s Christmas party at home, at church, or helping with a school celebration, I’m sharing a few ideas that will help you plan an unforgettable experience.  From décor ideas to entertainment to refreshments and favors, planning a Christmas party for children can’t get any easier.

First, set a festive mood by playing Christmas music, being sure to focus on a playlist of children’s favorites! Invite children into a party space full of magical winter wonderland delights.  Hanging snowflakes and setting up traditional Christmas items like trees, garland, lights and stockings can transform the ordinary into something delightful.

Second, plan for “reindeer games” and craft activities.  Activities and crafts are an essential part of a successful children’s party.  Let the children burn off some holiday energy by having a paper snowball fight, playing reindeer tag or participating in a gift wrap relay.  Add a few themed games like “Pin the Red Nose on Rudolph”.  Then split the children into groups for crafting. Ideas could include setting up small graham cracker gingerbread house building stations or sugar cookie decorating stations.  Christmas crafts could include making paper reindeer headbands and Christmas cards, crafting a countdown calendar and decorating stockings or ornaments.  If you have a lot of time to fill, turn on a Christmas movie like Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph.  And to round out the fun, conclude with Christmas carol singing and a visit with Santa.

Third, plan delightful desserts and drinks with fun and clever names.  Refreshments are always a children’s party favorite.  Mix store bought favorites like cupcakes, cookies and candy with a few homemade recipes.  Adding a clever name helps to reinforce the holiday theme.  For example, white powdered donut holes could be labeled “snowballs” while clusters of no-bake cookies could be “coal”.  Red gumballs could be labeled “spare Rudolph noses”.  Have red candy striped favor bags on hand for guests to fill with their favorite treats and let them take them home as a party favor.

As for beverages, how fun would a hot cocoa bar be?  Make it gourmet with several different mix-ins like crushed peppermint, cinnamon discs or chocolate chips and marshmallows. Add spray whip cream and you’ll have the coolest cocoa bar in town! Little guests will return to the line over and over trying different mixtures.  Using insulated cups with lids will help decrease the chances of spills and burns. Of course, holiday punch in festive reds and greens can be fun too; just be careful of carpet and clothing! Water is always a great standby.  Add a cute “melted snow” label to water bottles to coordinate with the party theme.

By incorporating these simple tips on decorations, activities, and refreshments, you’ll be well on your way to planning a very merry children’s Christmas celebration!