Safety Tips & Checklist for Toddler Birthday Parties

Your toddler birthday parties can be a wonderful experience if you take the right steps to ensure that your child's guests and their parents have a safe and happy time.

You will definately need the toddlers parents to be around in your toddler birthday party. As such, you will need to consider serving them refeshment as well. Serve these parents only finger foods because you don't want to distract them from their most important function: watching their children!

If you plan your toddler parties indoor, limit it to one room only, and childproof that room as carefully as you possibly can. Leave nothing to chance.

The following are some points to note before your toddler birthday parties :

Remove from the room any portable electrical appliances and everything breakable or sharp
Block off any exits to the party room with shut doors or gates. Keep a path open to the bathroom and/or a diaper changing area, but be sure other rooms along the way are not accessible to the children
If you try a game like "pin the tail on the donkey," be sure to attach tape, not tacks, to tails
For the safety of both guests and your pet, banish the pets from the party
Don't serve small candies, peanuts, popcorn, or even raisins. Children can pick them off the table and choke on them while running around, or even when seated, given the excitement of a party.

For toddler parties outdoors, be sure you have enough adults to adequately supervise the children. No fewer than one adult per child is suggested if play in any kind of pool is planned.

For birthday parties far from home, plan to have parents deliver their own children, unless you have enough car seats for all.

Toddler Birthday Parties Checklist

Choose a party theme. You can find wonderful ideas for toddler birthday parties themes here that will delight your little one.
Create the guest list. Guests generally range from friends at daycare, school or the neighborhood, then add close relatives.
Pick the party date and time. Parties are generally 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours long.
Order party supplies , decorations, party favors, activities and prizes for games. Be sure to order enough tableware for the adults that will attend, as well.
Send the invitations. It is best to ask guests to RSVP to get an estimate of how many children to expect.
Decide on activities and games to play. Plan more games than you expect to use in case you run out of activities before the party is over.
Plan your menu.
Order cake from a bakery if you are not baking your own. Remember the candles and matches.
Get your cameras ready. Check batteries for the camera and/or camcorder.
Get an exact guest count. Call those who haven't responded.
Arrange to have balloons filled with helium to pick up the day of the party. It is fun to have each guest go home with a balloon.
Child-proof the party area.
Decorate any indoor areas ahead of party day. Save outdoor decorating for the day of the party.

Armed with these simple guidelines and checklist, you should be well on your way to a fun and safe birthday party for your children.

You can get more toddler party ideas here.