Party Like It's 2009

And not just any party. After all, your child only turns 8 (or 9, or 10 ...) once. This party should be memorable. Fortunately, there are infinite ways to make the party an exciting and fun time for both you and your child, whether you choose to party down at home, a restaurant or a party venue. Here are a few ideas to help get you started.

The big o-n-e
Your child's not going to remember his first birthday, or even understand why everyone is gathered around staring at him and taking pictures while he rubs icing in his hair. But that's no reason not to go all out for his first birthday party. Ben Mendoza, father of Alice, 5, and Shauna, 8, says first birthdays are a big cause for celebration in Hawaii.

"In Hawaii, the first birthday is a huge luau," he says. The family typically gets a whole pig, digs a pit for roasting it, and gathers crabs for the feast. "The first birthday is the biggest."

A luau might not be your thing, but there are other ways to celebrate. Emily Hollenbeck, assistant manager at the party supply store Party City, says there are a few themes that are "super popular" for the first birthday. The biggest, she says, are Winnie the Pooh and Elmo.

Another tip, suggested by members of a local moms' group, is to pick a venue that adults will like, too. As previously mentioned, 1-year-olds don't even know what a birthday party is, so they are unlikely to care where the party is. One mom held a party at Wings-Pizza-N-Things, so the dads could watch games on television while the moms socialized.

School-age kids: Keep ‘em busy
One common theme ran through our interviews with parents and party experts regarding kids' parties: Keep the kids entertained. The last thing any parent wants to contend with is a house full of bored children.

If you're holding a party at home, make sure you have plenty of activities planned to pass the time and keep the laughter flowing. Hollenbeck has a few ideas on that front.

"The most popular thing ever, for any party of any age group is a piñata," she says.

If you're concerned about the bloodshed that could ensue when you hand a stick to a blindfolded child, worry not. Pull-string piñatas are also available to keep catastrophes to a minimum.

Party City also sells music and supplies for classic games like musical chairs, pin the tail on the donkey, ring toss and limbo. Air-blown games - such as one in which children toss inflatable items at a giant, inflatable head - are popular these days, too.

You may choose to move the party out of the house and into a party venue instead. Again, the key is to keep the party moving along.

Mendoza's wife, Peggy, says their daughters recently attended a birthday party at Build-A-Bear workshop, where each child got to make their own teddy bear.

"It was fun and interesting," Peggy Mendoza says. "They kissed a heart for her (the birthday girl) and stuck it in a bear."

Jon Allendorf, owner of Pump It Up, says moving the party out of the house can be a big relief for the parents, too.

"We take care of everything," he says. "They just have to take pictures. They don't have to clean up, either."