At some point, every parent in California will find themselves at one of those birthday parties — you’re standing in the corner, slowly sipping a coffee, while a horde of sugar-fuelled kids go ham around you. It’s no surprise that kids’ parties have a bit of a reputation for being less thrilling for the adults.
But if there’s one thing all Los Angeles party planners should know, it’s this — just because you’re planning an event for a child, doesn’t mean it can’t be fun for the grown-ups. So, while you probably have a list of creative activities for kids at parties ready, here are some tips on how to make a birthday party fun for the parents, too.
Offer More “Adult” Food
Kids love cake, chips, and fried food — but for parents, this is a less-than-ideal diet.
One of the most considerate things you could do is offer the adults more wholesome options. It doesn’t have to be too elaborate either. Adding fresh fruits, vegetables, or meat skewers to the menu can be sufficient to keep the grown-ups satisfied. If you’re struggling to finalize options, look for a venue that offers premium catering in Glendale.
Switch Up the Playlist
There are few things as grating than listening to “Baby Shark” or the latest Disney tune more than once. While a playlist of Disney tunes may be appealing to the kids, try and include some classics to the playlist to encourage the adults to let loose too. If you’re thinking of booking out a birthday party venue in Los Angeles, it may not be a bad idea to hire a DJ, and encourage the parents to tear up the dance floor.
Choose an Upscale Venue
Organizing a dinner at Chuck E. Cheese may feature on the list of fun things to do for a child’s birthday party, but it is not an exciting prospect for parents. Instead, consider looking up a venue that can accommodate fun activities for kids and adults. A banquet hall in Los Angeles may do the trick, as it is the perfect mixture of upscale and fun.
Give Adults Their Own Space
Sometimes, all adults really need is a private place where they can talk to each other, without worrying about what their children are doing. So why not create this dedicated area for the parents? A lounge with some sofas, maybe? Or a snack stall?
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t planned 20 fun activities for adults and kids — simply showing the parents that you’ve spared them a thought is sufficient. Plus, a venue for 150 guests in Glendale won’t have a problem accommodating an extra stall or two.
Consider Hiring a Host
It’s not uncommon for kid’s parties to have emcees. If you’re planning to take that route and hire talent, let the host know that you’d like to plan some fun activities for adults and kids, and that they should encourage the grown-ups to get involved. The host, who already knows how to make a birthday party fun, can take it from there.
Plan Fun Activities for Kids and Adults
Kids have very different interests from adults, but one of the greatest challenges of successful event planning is finding ways to cater to every guest. In this case, it may be worth looking up kids’ activities for parties that don’t alienate the adults.
This could include options like party bingo or a full-fledged capture the flag session. But it rarely has to be that elaborate. There’s no reason why an adult wouldn’t want to get involved in a game of musical chairs or charades, provided they are encouraged to participate. The only real restriction is the amount of space you have at your choice of venue in Los Angeles.
Give the Parents Something to Do
As the host, you may not want to demand favors from your guests, but sometimes having a task or two to complete is all it takes to make the adults feel involved.
These don’t have to be critical missions — like making sure children don’t fall and hurt themselves — but can be as basic as getting them ready for the next activity, or handing out slices of cake. When coupled with some fun activities for adults and kids, this delegation of tasks could go a long way in making a kid’s party inclusive.
Hire Help
On the flipside, you could also relieve tired parents by hiring some help to manage their kids. Consider recruiting older children, cousins, or teenage friends to babysit, sparing adults from having to keep watch on their children all through the party. With enough help on hand, you could even let parents drop off their kids and leave — an option that will no doubt be appealing to many.
Have Separate Activities for Adults
Just because they’re adults, it doesn’t mean that parents don’t need icebreakers to start conversations. When planning fun activities for kids at parties, consider whether the parents would enjoy having their own version of the game too. A scavenger hunt, for example, can be a fun activity for adults and kids to enjoy separately. Alternatively, you could organize a couple of games exclusively to encourage the adults to mingle. Some classic options include games like “two truths and a lie”, or Jenga Questions.
Keep the Drinks Flowing
When all else fails, bring out the alcohol. It may not be the most obvious idea for a kid’s party, but a mini-cocktail stand, or a bar serving wine and beer, may go a long way in helping parents let their hair down and have a good time. The kids can also be served non-alcoholic versions of classic cocktails, so they don’t feel left out or end up consuming copious amounts of soda. It’s a win-win, really — so don’t forget to research a few local bartenders, as you put together a catering menu in Glendale.
How to Make a Party Fun for Adults? Book a Vivaldi Venue
Planning fun activities for kids and adults may seem challenging at first, but if you’re struggling to come up with anything, remember that adults, just like children, are incredibly easy to entertain. Provided they’re given some space to relax, have a DJ to groove to, and several games to participate in — very few adults will have a bad time.
That’s why the choice of venue is so important. Most fun things to do for a child’s birthday party require more than just a backyard and some streamers, but a dedicated space that can support all your activities.
Whether you require a massive hall to host games or a small venue in Glendale for a more intimate gathering, we have what you need. Get in touch for more.