Finances

Start with your budget. It is much easier to plan the rest of the party once you have a rough idea of what you want to spend on each part of the day.

It is very easy to get carried away with food, decorations, extras and entertainment, so having a budget in mind from the start helps everything feel more manageable.

At Auriana, we can help suggest suitable entertainment and services based on your space, age group and budget. Click here to send us an enquiry or email enquiries@auriana.co.uk.

Set a Date

The date you choose can affect availability, pricing and how easy it is for guests to attend. It helps to have a few possible dates in mind before contacting venues or suppliers.

• Try not to clash with school holidays, seasonal events or other parties if possible.
• Weekday after-school parties can sometimes be a good option.
• Having a second or third date in mind can save time if your first choice is unavailable.

Location

Location might not be the first thing you think about, but it can make a big difference to how smoothly the day runs.

• Think about how far your guests will need to travel.
• Consider traffic, public transport and parking.
• Choose somewhere that feels practical as well as suitable for the kind of party you want.

Venue

One of the first big decisions is whether to hold the party at home or in a hall. Both options can work really well, depending on your budget, space and what you want from the day.

• Book venues early where possible, especially if you need a popular day or time.
• Think about guest numbers, parking, toilets, fire exits and where tables will go.
• Double check your booking with the venue before the event.
• Always consider whether there is enough space for children to move around and enjoy themselves properly.

We can help suggest entertainment that suits the space you have available.

Time

Think carefully about the length of the party and how the day will flow. Most children’s parties work really well at around 2 hours.

• If using a hall, allow extra time before and after for setup and clear up.
• Think about when you will serve food, present the cake and run entertainment.
• A simple structure makes the day feel much smoother and less rushed.

Invitations

Invitations help guests remember the important details and also give you a better idea of likely numbers.

• Send invitations out a few weeks before the event.
• Ask guests to reply by text or email.
• Include key details like time, venue, theme and useful notes such as face painting or allergy information.

Theme

• Decide whether the party will have a theme at all.
• Think about whether the theme will carry through everything, or just certain parts such as entertainment or decorations.
• Character and film-based themes can sometimes cost more depending on what is included.

Decorations

Decorations help set the mood, but it is worth thinking about how much you really need and what works best in the space.

• Loose balloons across the floor can be distracting and unsafe for very young children.
• It is usually better to use pinned balloons, clusters, arches or backdrops.
• Try to choose decorations that look great without making the venue feel crowded.

Click here to see samples of balloon decorations

Entertainment

Entertainment is often what makes the party feel lively, structured and memorable. The right choice depends on the age group, the space and the kind of atmosphere you want.

• Music, games and prizes are always a strong choice for children’s parties.
• Face painting and balloon modelling can work really well as fun extras.
• If you are doing entertainment yourself, have music, games and small prizes planned in advance.
• Try not to have too many distractions running at the same time.
• Extras such as popcorn, candy floss, bubbles or foam can add a lovely finishing touch.

Click here for more information about our party entertainment and availability.

Cake

The cake usually brings the focus back to the VIP moment, so it is worth planning properly.

• Decide if guests will eat cake there or take it home.
• You can reduce costs by having a smaller display cake and a separate sheet cake for serving.
• Cupcakes can also work well alongside the main cake.
• Try not to sacrifice flavour just for appearance — people still need to want to eat it.

Food & Catering

Before ordering or preparing food, ask about dietary requirements and think about how the food will be served.

• Decide whether you are feeding just the children or adults too.
• Lunch boxes can be an easy, low-stress option for children.
• Keep the food area away from the main entertainment space.
• If using buffet food, keep it covered until it is needed.
• It often works better to keep food, cake and desserts on separate tables if space allows.

Click here for samples of our food

Snacks

Extras like popcorn, candy floss, ice cream, waffles, icy drinks, tea, coffee and sweet stations can add a fun extra layer to the party.

Party Bags

Party bags and favours are often the final touch to a children’s event. What you include depends on your budget and the style of the party.

They can range from simple items to themed, personalised or more premium options.

Presents

If you are using a hall, it helps to have a presents table near the entrance so gifts can be placed together. If presents are being opened during the party, it is useful to keep track of who gave what for thank you notes afterwards.

Photographer

If your budget allows, photography can be a lovely way to capture special memories. If a full photographer is not right for your event, a photo booth can be a fun alternative.

Making your life easier

Party planning can be exhausting, so it helps to think in advance about what will make the day easier for you.

• Keep water nearby and remember to look after yourself too.
• Delegate jobs where possible.
• Ask someone to handle food, drinks, children or timings.
• Keep essentials nearby such as tape, scissors, bin bags, matches and a music player if needed.
• The more you prepare in advance, the less pressure you will feel on the day.

Clearing Up

Before the day, check what your venue expects when it comes to rubbish and clearing away. In our experience, many venues will expect you to take your rubbish with you.

Disposable items can make clearing up much easier.