![Photo: Joe Callister/Facebook](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/4/1/l/n/image.related.landscape.380x253.h141l8.png/1535064555813.jpg)
Top Resources
![Alice in Wonderland party](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/7/7/d/q/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.2uoy8.gjzsgb.png/1444631406803.jpg)
How to throw an Alice in Wonderland party
From the absurd to the ludicrous, so much from Alice in Wonderland can be incorporated into your child's birthday party.
![index](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/o/u/i/k/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.1osdt.gjzsgb.png/1444100541324.jpg)
Party Preparation
Party games for rainy days!
You can choose the food, the friends, the venue and the decorations - but no matter how much effort you put into planning your child’s birthday party, the one thing that you cannot control is the weather.
![farm_index](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/f/y/0/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.2fv3i.gjzsgb.png/1444100541324.jpg)
![ek-science-pinthe-thumb](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/u/4/o/7/image.related.landscape.120x80.2u3ya.gjzsgb.png/1448843595918.jpg)
![ek-partyfood-index](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/b/w/l/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.3bvqe.gjzsgb.png/1494906637740.jpg)
![Luna Park](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/i/1/f/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.2hzs9.gjzsgb.png/1444100541324.jpg)
Latest
![Photo: Jessica Simpson/Instagram](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/2/4/r/n/image.related.landscape.300x200.h124sm.png/1530520882150.jpg)
Are epic birthday parties setting kids up to expect privilege?
Or should we give parents the benefit of the doubt?
![Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/1/3/6/g/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1136m.png/1529372982320.jpg)
Here's how to throw a greener kids party
Kids parties can generate a lot of rubbish, but it's possible to reduce the waste without reducing the fun.
![Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/0/2/n/p/image.related.landscape.300x200.h102nb.png/1526372817444.jpg)
Why I'm banning gifts from my kids' birthday parties
The gift-giving culture has gotten out of hand.
![Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/z/6/g/c/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0z6gn.png/1524731849435.jpg)
My kids' birthday parties are for family only - not their friends
I'm over Instagram party perfection. I make them as low-key as possible.
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/y/d/2/9/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0yd2d.png/1522916538332.jpg)
How to host the most unforgettable children’s party on a budget
It’s a big day for your little one, but don’t sweat the small stuff – follow this step-by-step guide for a party that’s big on fun, small on spend.
![Pure joy: my son Riley's 10th birthday party, and not a parent in sight.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/c/b/u/u/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0w0ie.png/1519002803746.jpg)
Parents who stay at kids' party need to chill
Go and grab a coffee. Get your nails done. Why make the next two hours awkward?
![Rebecca Judd with her daughter Billie.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/v/3/e/w/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0v250.png/1518012456973.png)
Rebecca Judd throws extravagant birthday 'Pawty' for daughter
The party guests were there on the double.
![Store-bought cakes should be celebrated, not apologised for.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/a/v/6/c/image.related.landscape.300x200.gzapr1.png/1509404848166.jpg)
Stop apologising for store-bought cake
It’s time to lose the shame!
![It's a trade-off: buying a cake saves time, while making one saves money.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/z/8/q/s/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.gz8q26.png/1509595245801.jpg)
What is the cost of a child's birthday party?
It pains me to say I have created a rod for my own back. We have three children, aged 7 through 18 months and we have always, every single year, had a party to celebrate the day of their birth.
![Late party cancellations can be annoying.](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/y/f/h/x/h/image.related.landscape.300x200.gyfhzu.png/1505232611675.jpg)
Should birthday party 'no-shows' be sent an invoice?
One mum thinks so.
![Why are butterflies only for girls?](http://web.archive.org./web/20180906170621im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/x/w/e/4/9/image.related.landscape.300x200.gxwf3x.png/1503454407581.jpg)
How a request for a blue butterfly devastated facepainter
"It starts young," she said.
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