I have been researching the idea of a Children's Party Planning business. The business would basically consist of having several themes to choose from and giving the parents all the items for the party. Does anyone have any suggestions, or if you have a party planning business I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks

Welcome... we're glad to have you here... I will post a little note on meeting place boards for people who may have missed your post... The one thing to keep in mind in this economy, is would people in your area still spend on children's parties, and how much would they be willing to spend in this economy. As you do your market research, you can ask potential customers those very questions...

Ellen

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Ellen Parlapiano and Pat Cobe are authors of Mompreneurs(R): A Mother's Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Work-at-Home Success (Perigee; 2002) and Mompreneurs(R) Online (Perigee; 2001)

Hello to all,
What a great place. I've visited a few forum's (Love them).

I recently retired from the Federal Government and now 59 yrs. old. I've also had ladies and children's shops that kept me very busy along with selling at a local festival theme-like flea market ladies undies and family socks for $1.00 each (which I now do from my home).

I dabble daily (online) designing a newsletter which offers information and smiles going out to my friends, co-workers, active duty military personnel, etc. Some of the graphics pictured is designed on the spot and placed into the email.

I've just taken on another venture as an Independent Crew Member with the Noah's Ark Animal Workshop where we take the animals to the party (a traveling Workshop). It's like a "Build the bear concept" with no machines and the individual does the stuffing of the animal themselves. Along with this is an attached venture were I do a different type of Workshop - The Bella Bee Workshop for any type of girl's party - this too is a traveling Workshop ( a Glamour Girl’s Workshop) that is tailored to tween girls between the ages of 7 – 12 years old (birthday parties, girl scouts/clubs, mother-daughter fun, sleep-over parties and other glitzy good-time celebrations! This hands-on, Glamour Girl’s Workshop offers girls a moral approach to beauty! After all girls love the glitter and glam products, while parents love the positive character building qualities attached to each shimmer and sparkle product. Girls learn the importance of beauty that comes from within. Our concept - We Come To You (and, of course, you can always order a gift online thru my website that offers many ideas: www.naohaarkworkshop.com/SharonPatterson4812

email: MakeCuddlyAnimals@aol.com

We also offer a great O-bear-tunity for joining at $29.00. So I couldn't pass this up....!!!

I guess you could say that I am a busy person and have a self-certified PhD in Multi Tasking.........LOL

In closing: Wishing you all prosperity and success in your business. Remember: Keep Smiling........!!!

I actually planned out this business a few years ago, and then became pregnant again. No one wants a clown that can't fit into her clown suit!

I did clowning and childrens jewelry making parties. I developed a couple other themes also.

Another idea to consider would be offering to do "Kids Nights" for locally owned restaurants. You could try out themes and projects and advertise to the parents indirectly. That was my plan.

Kids night is a great idea!

I've listed few themes listed below that may be helpfull:
American Idol - Party like the future rock star that you are!

Ballerina party - Don a tutu and host a ballerina party!

Barbie party - Host a Barbie-inspired party for your birthday girl!

Barnyard Birthday - ...and on this farm he had a birthday.. E-I-E-I-O... Barnyard birthday party ideas and supplies

Beach party - Life's a beach! Well, at least your party will be...

Bear in the Big Blue House - supplies are limited for Bear in the Big Blue House -see what's left...

Bob the Builder party - Can we do it? Yes we can! Plan a Bob the Builder inspired construction party!

Bratz party - These girls have a passion for fashion!

Bug/garden party - Discover nature with a bug and garden party.

Caillou - Decorate in primary colors (blue, yellow, green, and red). Use streamers and helium balloons for this. Play games like musical chairs, hot potato, pin the tail on the donkey... Serve dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets (Caillou loves dinosaurs!) from your local food wholesale store (Sam's Club or Costco, etc).

Care Bears - Those adorable Care Bears! You got to love them...!

Carnival - Every kid loves a carnival.

Cars Party - Rev up your engines!

Circus/Big Top Birthday Party - Don't wait for the circus to come to town! Host your own circus!

Construction Party - Is your child a Bob the Builder fan?? Use Bob the Builder party supplies.

Cowboy/Cowgirl Party (wild west) - Yee-haw! Host a wild west party for your little cowpoke!

Curious George - Love that curious little monkey?

Fire Engine party - Host a fun fire engine party for your "future firefighter"!

Happy Feet - Party like the penguins do! Decorate in royal blue, baby blue, white, and yellow in streamers and helium balloons.
Play music from the Happy Feet soundtrack and dance, dance, DANCE! Serve Fish Sticks and Sno Cones! Hand out Fish-shaped sugar cookies, with frosting and sprinkles, and allow guests to decorate their own. Take the kids on a trip to see the movie!
If there's snow outside, provide guests with snow block makers and allow them to create their own igloos! Go to the official Happy Feet website and get some free printables.

Princess Party - Also includes Disney's Princess and Barbie Princess themes.

Puppy Party - To decorate your party area:
Make puppy paw prints leading to the entry (sidewalk chalk on the sidewalk)...
Make a sign that says "KENNEL" on the front door...
Make kid-sized doghouses out of appliance boxes... maybe even one for each guest(you could also leave these plain and allow the children to have a 'decorate your doghouse contest'...)
Use dalmation print fabric for tablecovers...
Gather all of your puppy and dog stuffed animals to decorate with...Make a puppy cake to use for centerpiece...
What to serve:
Make PB& J sandwiches (or your sandwich of choice)... cut out in dogbone shape with cookie cutter
Make up a batch of "puppy chow" (you can make a trail mix with peanuts, m&m's, raisins, sunflower seeds, and chocolate chips..)
Serve "dog treats" either-- Scooby snacks (for kids), or Combos...
What to do:
Have a 'decorate your doghouse' contest.. You could even set up teams and just have them make up two or four, etc...
Face painting-- ask a friend to do the 'grooming' by painting a puppy nose and freckles on each child. Add 'dog ears' that you can make up ahead of time ( just glue brown felt ears unto headbands with a glue gun..) How about some puppy stickers too!

As you can see there are many themes to party with. The ideas are endless - aren't they?