do's and don't for parents who want to plan great parties for thier kids?

Pick a theme. For my daughter she wanted Dora and strawberry shortcake so we did Dora goes to Strawberry shortcake land. I find if you move kids from room to room and have different activities and decorations in each room, then kids don't get bored so fast and the party seems to fly by. I always let kids make their goody bags as the party goes by, so at each game they get a ttreat for their bags. This always works really well and the kids are always excited. Also I find with young children, they do not like to give away their presents that they bring for the birthday child because they all feel left out. So what I've done is make a coloring book and added crayons and wrapped this and given it to each child when the gift opening starts. That way everyone has a gift to open and everyone is happy.

Most important have fun with the party and let your imagination fly.

Do have an outline to follow for the event, and a little structure to the event, but

Don't be a time-nazi--let the kids play and have fun at their own pace.

Do have EVERYTHING ready to go before the party starts

Do have some helpful people around you to aid the kids, keep things safe, and just be helpful.

Don't expect the kids to do what you want them to do, when you want them to do it, the way you want them to. Just go with the flow and take lots of pictures.

Do have some food and drinks for the parents if you are expecting them to stay--most will at that age.

Keep it simple! Invite as many guests as the year of the child (like 2 guests for a 2 year old, etc.) I'm not a big fan of opening gifts in front of everyone either. Keep it short, 1 1/2-2 hours is plenty and have games where everyone is a winner.

It depends on the age of the kids that your planing a party for. First off if there small kids, don't let their parents leave them there make sure that they stay to help watch

Don't spend a bunch of money trying to make it something out of a magazine. First, kids like a couple of games - lots of cake and ice cream and time to run around. Maybe, something themed, like a character that your child likes. Big structured parties only impress the parents, then they have to come up with something bigger and better for their kid's party.

we don't have parties anymore...too much stress and money and not enough attention for the birthday kid. we have 5 children, so we prefer family celebrations when they are younger. We have cake and ice cream, presents and we're done. As they get older, we do sleepovers, have pizza and rent movies/play games.

for a preschooler, i wouldnt even throw a party. it's really not worth it