I've always thoroughly believed in active children's parties, preferably outdoors and catering to the personal preferences of the birthday child. The children must be encouraged to think and be creative, and the party must have a slightly more updated theme than just playing musical chairs. This doesn't necessarily mean that we, as adults, should spend time and energy on something that's bigger and brighter or more expensive than the last party. From the child's point of view a good idea can also be a simple idea.

Children are enormously inquisitive and usually highly motivated to reach an end goal, especially if that should mean finding a treasure chest filled to the brim with their favourite sweets !