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Hot dogs. Cook them ahead of time, place in rolls, and keep them warm in the oven, covered with foil.

Potato chips. Put some on each plate ahead of time.

Juice.

Put candles in the birthday child's cupcake.

Ice Cream Cupcakes.

DECORATIONS AND SERVING PROCEDURES

If the table isn't large enough, put a big paper tablecloth on the floor and have the children sit around it.

As soon as the children sit down, they can start on their chips and juice. Then serve the hot dogs. To entertain the children while they eat, read to them, play a CD, ask quiz-game questions, such as "What movie is Sleepy in?" or take turns telling jokes and riddles.

FAVORS, PRIZES, ITEMS FOR TREAT BAGS

Packs of gum, apples, balloons, crayons, pencils, pencil sharpeners.

INSIDE GAMES, NONCOMPETITIVE

1. Seven-Up

2. Simon Says

3. Sneaky Pete

4. How Long Is a Minute?

5. Hunt for the Ticking Clock. Hide a clock or a cooking timer. Everyone listens and tries to find it. The person who finds it first gets to hide it again.

INSIDE GAMES, COMPETITIVE

1. Camouflage

2. Candy Hunt

3. Hot Potato

4. Bull's-Eye Toss

5. How Long Is a Minute?

OUTSIDE GAMES, NONCOMPETITIVE

1. Everyone's It

2. The Blob

3. Duck, Duck, Goose

4. Freeze Tag

OUTSIDE GAMES, COMPETITIVE

1. Dodge Ball, Baseball, Soccer

2. Stone

3. Red Rover

4. Relay Races

I have never had a party for a whole class, but my friend Katie Taylor has them four times a year for her four children. Her advice is: "Have the party on a Saturday so your spouse or friends can help. Invite the kids for lunch. That may sound like more work, but it isn't because the children spend extra time eating, and while they're eating, they're quiet. Ahead of time, set the table and put lots of balloons in the party room or yard so that the kids can play with them as soon as they arrive. Open presents while the kids are playing. Serve lunch. Then play games, show cartoons on a movie projector, and if it's feasible, go outside for games. The last game should be a Treat Bag Game or Candy Hunt (have extra candies to drop near the kids who aren't finding any). Time the hunt to end as parents arrive. For kids ten and up, send them on a Scavenger Hunt. Hope for good weather. Maximum length for the party, an hour and a half."