Determine the Type of Party

A month or two before her birthday, ask your child what kind of party she wants. Or, if your child is too young to voice an opinion, think of what she's drawn to, like elephants or boats. For older kids, consider more interactive themes such as science or art.

Plan the Fun Stuff

Deciding on a theme will help determine the activities. Choose three or four (both crafty and active) and try them out with your kid first to see if she likes them. If all else fails, think back to your own birthday parties: musical chairs, dropping clothespins into a jar, and an egg-on-a-spoon race are always great time fillers—and loads of fun. Be sure to make a shopping list of the materials you need for each activity and consider the space they require.

Clock It

Create a schedule for your activities based on the time they took in your trial run. Decide on a starting time and add the lengths of each activity plus 30 minutes for cake and presents. Then add an extra 15 minutes each for arrival and pickup. The total time should be 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Send Out the Invitations

Now that you know the length and the theme, the real fun begins. Have your child help with the invites. Consider copying one of his drawings on a postcard. Or order personalized cards from an online stationer like Tiny Prints or Letterspace Paper (which also has great banners). Or, if you want to write them yourself, try Mudpuppy for great boxed card sets. Be sure to include a reply-by date, a pickup time, and any special instructions for guests (wear paint clothes, etc.). If a meal will be served, let the other parents know.

Set the Scene

The props set the mood, and picking a theme—even if it's just a color—makes decorating easy. Red balloons, red M&Ms, red plates. You could either purchase an entire decorating kit (check out Birthday in a Box or Celebrate Express or just be resourceful and use items from around the house. (For example, if you're hosting a pajama party, bring out the sleeping bags and stuffed animals.) For the traditional decorations, we like Party Partners and Plum Party.

Create the Menu

If your party falls during lunch- or dinnertime, a light meal is appropriate, but otherwise, you can get away with cake and beverages. Pizza is an easy standby, but try to think outside the box without getting too elaborate. Choose foods you can prepare ahead of time. Great options include chicken skewers, fruit, layered sandwiches, noodles, or quesadillas (preassemble and heat in the oven). Always have something on hand for parents if they decide to stay (cheese, crackers, sparkling water).

And, of course, every birthday bash needs a cake. But remember, they come in all shapes and sizes. Consider a muffin tower or creatively frosted cupcakes. There are also many creative ways to bake a cake made from a mix, and Wilton sells several different cake-pan shapes to fit your theme.

Choose Favors

They don't need not be pricey, but they should be somewhat useful. If you host a garden party, send home bulbs that the children can plant. Buy copies of a paperback that fits the party theme that the children can add to their libraries. Oriental Trading has a great selection of affordable options.