Everyone knows the basic ingredients of a traditional birthday party: a cake with candles, presents, and games. However, successfully pulling it all together for a roomful of toddlers or young children takes thoughtful preparation. Jean Marzollo's ultimate party planner provides every detail parents need, including lists of age-appropriate foods and activities, ideas for kid-made party invitations and placemats, suggested read-aloud books for quiet time, advice on handling crises such as hurt feelings or sudden chaos, indoor and outdoor party tips, and directions for making wonderful parties on a budget. Discover how to create exciting theme parties such as a zoo, circus, Valentine's Day, Halloween, baseball, cartoon, or country fair party, and how to organize a child's first deep-over party. Packed with helpful illustrations, easy-to-follow instructions for dozens of games, and special recipes, this is the perfect guide to birthday party planning for anxious parents and their children.