What a dilemma it can be to plan a party for a tween, (that's a child aged between 9-14 years to you and me). Gone are the pirate and princess parties, no more pink sparkle or monster trucks, they are after a more grown up party. Yet adult parties are just, well, too adult.

So what can you do? One way to make their party have a more grown up feel, is to have the party in the evening. Starting the party at say 7pm has a totally different vibe, it's after dinner, it's late, it's a serious party that is just too late for younger children, only tweens allowed. Instantly the party is at that next level, the birthday child feels like they are entering a new party phase and sharing the timings for their party, creates a real buzz amongst their friends. What time you choose to have the party finish, is very much up to you!

Decorations require a bit of thought, a couple of balloons and a themed cake just wont be enough. Think more on how you can style the party, a colour palette that extends to the tableware and the party accessories or props. Balloon decorations are great when used as a backdrop or garland and furniture can create a focus for the party and make a statement too. Selfie stations with dress up props and a backdrop are great fun and of course a giant number balloon works well as a prop too.

Food for these late night parties also needs a rethink. The party staples of sandwiches, jelly and ice cream etc, are just not on the menu. Tweens are reaching the age where they become very aware of brands, the power of advertising is really having a big effect on them. They are looking for pizza from any of the big names, Pizza Hut, Dominos, burgers brought in from Five Guys, or chicken from Nando's. They know them all. What about dessert I hear you say, well Krispy Kreme of course, those guys have really done a good job on tweens. Although, donuts make for a fab party display, but more about that later.

Drinks need to be more sophisticated too, not only what you serve, but what you serve them in. Non alcoholic cocktail style drinks served in tall glasses trimmed with fancy straws, stirrers and umbrellas are a big hit. A drinks station where party guests can help themselves and pimp their own drink is very popular and more of a grown up style.

Party games, yes they still like a game or two. Truth or dare is a classic, the donut and the smarties game are good fun too. Tweens can be quite competitive, so games where you have "a minute to win it" are sure to get them excited and splitting the guests into teams really gets them fired up.

So what theme? Let's start with girls parties, there are some great themes out there at the moment, including pastel parties, think along the lines of baby shower style, flamingo parties where you can focus on neon pink lights and non alcoholic cocktails. Metallic themed parties give that luxury feel and metallic pineapples and palm leaves are still very on trend and fun.

So to the boys then. Camouflage style military parties involving maybe a nerf gun black ops mission are a big hit, boys seem to have so much energy when they are together. Metallic green and black tableware looks great for this theme. Bear Grylls has had an impact on tween boys and den building activities and survival challenges have been popular too, a rustic feel to tableware and decorations enhance this style of party. Black and white tableware keep things masculine and compliments most boy themes if you really struggle to decide which theme to go for.

After thinking about all the above, there's still the music and party bags to consider. Tweens are probably best left to sort a playlist out, they know more about what's hot and what's not after all. Party bags, think more party favors, less items but more luxurious, but I think we might need to leave ideas for those for another post.

Happy planning, I hope this has helped?

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