Avoid the commercialism of TV characters and throw a low-key but fun pizza party

For primary school kids, birthday parties are a big deal. Friends are very important and any activity or theme that brings them together is bound to be a big hit. Planning for entertainment is a breeze, as most common party games, from pin the tail on the donkey to charades, were designed for this age group. Still young enough to think that their parents are cool but old enough to help out with most details, your child will show you that it's a party to plan!

Theme
If you ask a child to pick a theme for his or her birthday party, you'll likely end up with a current box-office winner. And it isn't easy to throw a festive Titanic party.

Your best bet is to avoid all commercialism. Instead, celebrate your youngster's birthday with the Ultimate Pizza Party. Invite friends, provide ingredients, and then sit back and observe your guests preparing the party food (although it might not be edible).

There's no limit to creativity. You can even prepare a pizza-party cake using some icing and orange food colouring.

Invitations

• Throwing a pizza party can be very easy. Start by creating a clever, mouth-watering, pizza-shaped invitation. State the details - not only where and when, but also what ingredients will be provided - and encourage all guests to come bearing imaginative toppings. (Remember to keep the party small because you will need enough space in your kitchen for all the chefs.)
• Request that all attendees RSVP so you can determine how much food will be needed.
• Print out the invitations, and then recruit the kids to trace circles onto the backs, using a small mixing bowl. Cut out the circles and then paste on other 'ingredients' created from craft paper.
• Make sure you post the invitations at least two weeks before the party, so your guests have time to prepare.

Activities
Have some fabulous contests. Ideas might include:

• The Most Creative Pizza and the Best Tasting Pizza
• Pin the Pepperoni on the Pizza (you can use vegetarian alternatives such as slices of courgette). Yes, just like the donkey! Hang a ready-made pizza base (covered with sauce) on a wall outside. The winner is the blindfolded child who lands a pepperoni nearest to the centre of the pizza.
• Write MUSHROOM PIZZA on a large piece of paper, set the timer, and see who can come up with the most words of three or more letters using the letters in 'mushroom pizza'.

Food and party bags
Primary school children love party gifts such as pizza-shaped fridge magnets and inexpensive chef's hats make a humorous prize for contests.

The theme of the party provides the food, so here are some tips and ideas to help with the initial planning:

• For simplicity, use pre-made pizza bases (available at most supermarkets). Buy the smallest size so that each child can create his or her own masterpiece.
• Offer numerous toppings, from pepperoni to pineapple, to encourage creative pizza making, but provide one standard tomato sauce that everyone must use.
• Eat outside and use disposable plates. Your house may end up very messy if you aren't careful.
• Leftovers go home with the guests. Trust me, you won't want them.

Gifts
Primary school children enjoy building and creating. Activities that incorporate strength or newfound skills are particularly intriguing for this age group. Here are some great ideas for your birthday child:

• Fort/house: as children develop social skills, friends become very important. Build a fort/house and your child can have both his or her privacy and a safe place to interact with friends.
• Hobbies and collections: older children often become interested in hobbies. From stamps to butterflies, collecting is a wonderful pastime. Also, gifts that encourage a child's interest in building, such as doll's house or model ship kits, are great ideas.
• Books on secret codes: children of this age often love making up secret codes or learning languages that aren't understood by most adults. Buy a book on code making, or give a sign language dictionary.