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Under 5s: 1.5 hours, mid-morning works best 5–10: 2 hours Tweens: 2–3 hours, or a sleepover
Arrival activity (colouring, bubbles, craft table) 2–3 organised games Food Cake and singing Free play, then lolly bags at pick-up
Pass the parcel Musical statues Treasure hunt Piñata (for older kids — give everyone a turn)
Fairy bread, sausage rolls, cheerios, fruit kebabs Ask about allergies on the invitation and label food clearly Water jugs instead of fizzy drinks
Parks and community halls are cheap or free DIY balloon garland instead of a styling package Lolly bags can be swapped for a small book or craft kit
Kids' Birthday Party Planning Guide NZ
Plan a fun, stress-free kids' birthday party — guest numbers, timings, games, food and budget tips.
Kids' parties don't need to be big or expensive to be memorable. A clear plan and a short run sheet make all the difference.
Guest numbers
A common rule of thumb is the child's age plus one (so 6 guests for a 5th birthday). For whole-class parties, choose a venue or park with room to run.