Tick off every detail before the big day
Planning a kids birthday party has a lot of moving parts. The venue, the entertainment, the food, the cake, the invites: you need to coordinate all of it while still going to work and keeping the birthday child from spoiling their own surprise. This checklist breaks everything down into manageable stages so nothing slips through the cracks.
The golden rule: start earlier than you think you need to. Popular entertainers and venues in London book up fast, especially on Saturdays. Give yourself 8 to 12 weeks for a party that feels effortless on the day.
For most London parties, 8 to 12 weeks gives you a comfortable runway. Venues and entertainers (especially on Saturdays) often book 3 months ahead. If your party falls in peak season, start earlier.
Venue first, then entertainment. These two constrain everything else. Once you have a date, time, and location, the food, decorations, and invites all become straightforward.
Festaday's free RSVP page lets you send a link via WhatsApp or email and track replies in one place. Set a clear deadline at least 2 weeks before the party, and share final numbers with your caterer and entertainer as soon as the deadline passes.
No. The services worth hiring are the ones that are hardest to replicate: entertainment, specialist catering, and balloon decorations. Food you can do yourself for smaller parties. Use your energy where it makes the biggest difference.