Planning a Pizza Party for Your Child's Friends

Whether it's to celebrate a birthday, treat the t-ball team, or just for kicks, a pizza party is a guaranteed way to bring joy to kids of all ages. If you've decided to plan such a party, however, you may not have been counting on the pressure that comes along with such preparations. Taking two or three kids out for dinner can be a headache. More than that, and full scale disaster can ensue if you aren't prepared. Here are some tips that will help you plan a successful party.

Location

You can have a pizza party just about anywhere. The restaurant itself, of course, is probably the easiest way to do it. Before making those plans, however, you might want to let the restaurant know. If you're going to a buffet-style establishment, they will know to be prepared for the onslaught. If you're ordering food for the table, they'll be able to get some of it ready before you get there, ensuring your kids don't have to wait around to eat. Nothing can ruin a party faster than kids who are both bored and hungry. Even adults don't like to wait a long time to be served, so you can see where it is even worse for a kid.

Invitations

Don't just have your child send out invitations at school. This is fine when you're talking about high school students, but kids of a younger age are likely to toss an invitation in their backpack, never to think about it again. If possible, mail invitations out so that the parents will see them and know how to make the proper arrangements. If you do have your child send out invitations at school, you may want to check with the school's rules. Some schools have rules against only inviting some students, as this can alienate the ones who failed to be considered.

Menu

Well, pizza will obviously be the order of the day, but you need to be cognizant of the fact that not every child attending will have the same tastes. You can't have every possible version of the venerable pie available, but if you ask ahead of time, you can be prepared with a good assortment. Pepperoni will undoubtedly be the most popular, though, so make sure you stock up (if ordering for another venue). You may also want to talk to parents to make sure there aren't any food allergies you should be aware of. Food allergies are a serious concern, so don't feel as though it isn't worth considering.