1. Mail invitations two weeks before the party date.
2. Plan a safe, comfortable place for the party where the children can have fun, but will not hurt themselves or your home. If you plan an outdoor party, be sure to have a backup plan in case of bad weather.
3. Limit the party time to two hours or less for children less than six years of age. For older children is fine up to three hours. 
4. Prepare more activities than you plan to use in advance. Activities usually take less time than planned and you may want to keep the children busy.
5. Include the birthday child in preparations as often as possible. Let her or him stuff the party favor bags, make suggestions for games, help with the decorations, set the table, and mail the invitations - even if that only means putting them in the mailbox. Fun Activities
American Idol Birthday Party Piñata
Piñatas are always a hit at birthday parties. Remember to add the piñatas fillers, too (sold separately).
Autograph Seekers
This party activity is a fun ice-breaker and a great way to capture memories of your “star-studded” birthday event.
Supplies:
- newspaper
- sheets of white paper
- pen
- white T-shirts (1 per guest)
- permanent fabric markers
Cover a table with newspaper and lay out T-shirts;
Insert a piece of paper between the front and back of the shirt to prevent bleed-through;
Cut star shapes out of paper (one per guest), and write a party guest’s name on each; tape one next to each shirt (so everyone will be able to keep track of whose shirt they’re signing);
Have everyone draw a picture on the front of their own T-shirt;
Then ask them to flip the shirts over, and walk around the table autographing back of their friends’ shirts. After hang dry during remainder of the festivities.
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