Birthday parties do not have to be the same old dull and boring routines every year. As your child gets older it is important for them to have the kind of great birthday party that is talked about for weeks because it was so much fun. There are many birthday ideas and they don't all have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are a few ideas.

· If the children are old enough to be good swimmers, consider having a beach or pool party. While you may need a few extra supervisors the activities will almost take care of themselves. If you want, you can organise swim races or diving competitions. For good swimmers you could hold a mini swimming Olympics theme party.

· A backyard sleepover. Most kids go through the sleepover stage so incorporating one into a party is a good idea. Tents and sleeping bags in the backyard along with a supervised campfire, storytelling and roasting marshmallows will all make a great party experience for your child and all the others.

· Having a clown come to the birthday party and do special tricks will delight many children, especially if some of the activities can be interactive.

· A simple party in the park gets everyone outdoors and you can depend on the swings and slides to provide the games. You can invite the parents to stay and help keep an eye on the kids. This is more suited to the younger children who do not yet want anything more sophisticated.

· Older children will enjoy an evening at the cinema as their party treat. They can have supper of birthday cake afterwards.

· Visiting a local tourist facility is often a hit for a birthday party. Many offer group discounts. You may want to limit the numbers for such a treat as a crowd of children may be harder to keep track of.

· Ice-skating rinks, bowling alleys and similar activities all make great birthday party venues. The idea is that the supervisors don't actually have to invent and instigate games because the children participate in those provided.

· Older children or teens may love to take a few of their best friends out for a formal dinner at a restaurant. This could be combined with the movies, a show or another entertainment, but is often enough just on its own. Most venues allow you to bring the birthday cake along. Sparklers are a nice change from birthday candles on the cake for those who think they are too old to blow out candles.

· A craft birthday party is often fun as children can each choose and take home their own piece of craft. This can be painting, ceramics, scrapbooking or balloon sculpture or anything else that is offered in your district.

· Pony riding picnic. If there is a riding facility nearby you could organise pony rides and a picnic to finish it off with.

When choosing a different kind of birthday party make sure you take into consideration the child's age, likes and dislikes. For instance, if they dislike animals, you wouldn't want to inflict a pony riding party on them.

Enhance your next childs birthday with a clown, Bananas has been in the Perth Clowning business for a long time and brings laughs to children of all ages.

By Rich McPharlin