How to host a kids' birthday party at home

Settle the guest count, time and space first

Count the children who will really turn up, including little brothers and sisters who come along, and count the adults who will stay. That number tells you how many chairs and slices of cake you need, and whether there is room for a face painting table.

If some guests are very young, you may want to avoid their usual nap time and ask the other parents before you send invitations. Put both the start time and the end time on the invitation so everyone knows when to collect their child.

If you are borrowing an apartment function room, ask the management directly about booking, the hours you may use, whether tables and chairs are provided, and what applies to outside visitors. Every building has its own rules, so ask the management directly.

A two-hour party, stop by stop

Here is one way to split the time. Adjust it to your group:

• Start of hour one: welcome guests and let the children settle in and play near the door
• Second half of hour one: one group game with a short rule
• Start of hour two: open the face painting table while children waiting their turn play or colour at another table
• Second half of hour two: cake, candles and a group photo
• End of the party: hand out party bags, thank everyone and see each child off

Put the face painting before the cake so the children still have their designs when you take photos with the cake. If you book an artist for 1 hour only, you can fit the painting into hour two.

Laying out the room so children do not bunch up

Split the room into zones: a welcome spot near the door, an open space for games, a table for food or crafts, and the face painting table in a well-lit corner. Keep that table away from the entrance so the queue does not block adults carrying cake or drinks.

Seat the parents along the edge of the room, where they can watch without taking up play space.

The photo gallery has a picture of an artist painting a toddler sitting on a mother's lap, and another of face painters with a boy at an outdoor table. Browse the photo gallery.

Adding a face painting table: what you need

The painting spot needs 1 table and 2 chairs. If you are outdoors, pick a shaded spot. If it rains, we move indoors.

Children can choose their design before you book, so ask yours what they like well before the day. If your child has sensitive skin, tell us when you book, because we cannot promise that every colour suits every child.

As an estimate, each artist paints about 10 to 15 faces per hour, depending on the design. For a big party we can send up to 5 artists, and our article on how many face painters your event needs explains more.

Our public prices are 500,000₫ for 1 hour and 900,000₫ for 2 hours. Anything longer than 2 hours is agreed separately. See the full details on the face painting prices page.

What people forget at the last minute

• Ask the management whether the artist and guests need to register at the gate, then tell the security desk
• Keep tissues, wet wipes and a bin near the cake table
• Have a wet-weather plan if you intend to use a courtyard
• Message the end time to parents again the day before

FAQ: hosting a birthday party at home

What do you need to prepare for the face painter? 1 table and 2 chairs. Outdoors, choose a shaded spot, and if it rains we move indoors.

Should I book the artist for 1 hour or 2? It is 500,000₫ for 1 hour and 900,000₫ for 2 hours. Count the children and compare with the estimate of 10 to 15 faces per artist per hour, or contact us and ask about your date.

What about a child with sensitive skin? Tell us before you book. We cannot promise that every colour suits every child.

See also: Kids' birthday face painting. To ask about a date, message us on Zalo at 0908 980 603.