S2.E20: Party Planning
Learn how to involve your child in party planning to boost their creativity, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Discover tips and download a free child-friendly planning template from Raising Thinkers.
Party Planning with Your Child
As a parent, involving your child in party planning can be a fantastic way to help them develop their thinking skills. Throughout the year, there are countless celebrations, from holidays to birthdays, and engaging your child in the planning process can encourage growth and creativity.
From my own experience, a child’s age plays a significant role in how much they can contribute to planning. My three-year-old daughter, for instance, has very distinct preferences—she loves purple, orange, and sparkles, and alternates between a fascination with fire trucks and horses. While she’s full of ideas, she still needs guidance to create a coherent theme for her birthday party. However, I did let her help with choosing party favors and decorations, and she was thrilled to be a part of the process.
As children grow older and develop a better understanding of planning, they can take on more responsibility. By observing how you plan, whether it’s for a party, a trip, or even just the day’s schedule, they learn how to organize and prepare for events themselves. Once they grasp these concepts, even a little bit, let the planning begin!
This could involve organizing a playdate, planning a holiday celebration, or putting together a birthday party. Going through the planning process encourages children to think critically, work backward step by step, and ensure that all details are covered. Depending on your child’s age, they may need more or less guidance, but each step they take helps them build decision-making and problem-solving skills they’ll use later in life.
I remember when I was young, my mom would let us choose what kind of birthday cake we wanted. One year, she even made a cake with a waterslide using cookies, cake, and blue frosting for a pool party. As we got older, she allowed us to have more input, from deciding on party favors to choosing games and activities. Without realizing it, she was teaching us valuable skills by gradually giving us more ownership of our celebrations.
Of course, all of this was done within certain budgetary constraints, and that’s something to keep in mind as you involve your children in planning. Letting them take ownership is important, but remember, you are the final filter.
Get Started with a Party Planning Template
To help you get started, I’ve created a simple, child-friendly party planning template that you can download from our website, RaisingThinkersPodcast.com. It’s easy to use and a great way to guide your child through the planning process. Just be sure to join our free Raising Thinkers community to access this resource and many more, including a live monthly call where we discuss raising thinkers, particularly with a focus on mathematics.
Whether you’re planning a party, a family vacation, or a simple family night, giving your child the chance to plan teaches them critical thinking, decision-making, and research skills. It’s a small step that prepares them for success in all areas of life.