March 03, 2004

By: Connor Wallen
Website: http://www.1st-in-kids.com

KIDS Will Enjoy Millennium With Some Planning And Party 411.Com

With the millennium New Year fast approaching, people are frequently talking about their plans and intentions for that evening.

Among the topics debated is what to do with children on this traditionally festive, yet rambunctious evening. Party411.com, the Internet's most creative, comprehensive and easily navigated event planning website, is finding that, overall, people want to be with their families this new year's eve.

Loren Frieder, a suburban Cleveland, Ohio mom and Party411.com employee, plans to ring in the New Year with her husband, children and other families at her home. My husband and I absolutely wanted our family to be together this year, she says.

When asked how she plans to keep the kids, aged four to twelve, amused and entertained, she says they will have the run of the basement with structured activities available. Her daughter, Jillian, has taken the lead in organizing a variety of carnival games with prizes.

Caitlin Morgan, a Party411.com visitor, adds in Europe, people are much more inclusive and don't segregate kids as much. Some of my fondest New Year's memories from Scotland, are of being toted from house to house, where there was always a place for kids. It's just built into the culture there. New Year's Eve is a time of new beginnings, commitments, and renewal, and that ties into my family for those reasons.

Regardless of whether you prefer to spend New Year's eve with children, or without, there is still plenty of time to make arrangements for a home gathering. If you plan to have children around, here are a few tips for entertaining and amusing kids:

* Keep things simple or kids may get overwhelmed and frustrated - in general, kids just want to have fun and go at their own pace.

* Let things flow naturally - it is all right for kids to make their own decisions about participating in structured activities, so long as they are acting appropriately.

* Set the mood for children by giving them freedom and choices with boundaries, make them feel welcome, introduce kids to each other who are not previously acquainted and encourage them to include everyone in their activities.

* Have an initial activity for kids upon their arrival and they will be more tame later, for example, cover a table with white paper and let them decorate it with their own markers, crayons, stickers and other art supplies.

About The Author:

Connor Wallen is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kids.com.  Helping parents find kid-approved clothes, toys, games, books, activities and more.