Hey there, party planners!
We're getting SO many calls right now from parents who are starting to think about spring birthdays, and honestly? We're here for it! There's something about finally being able to throw outdoor parties again after a long Pittsburgh winter that just hits different.
But here's the thing, spring is also one of the busiest party seasons in the Pittsburgh, Washington, and Canonsburg areas. Between April and June, weekends fill up FAST. And if you're planning a birthday bash for your kiddo, you'll want to get ahead of the game.
After over a decade of making spring parties magical (and helping stressed-out parents avoid last-minute panic), we've put together this super helpful checklist. These are the five things you absolutely need to nail down first!
1. Lock Down Your Date & Venue
This one might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people skip this step and then scramble later!
First things first: pick your date. Check your calendar, talk to your co-parent or partner, and make sure there aren't any conflicts like family reunions, travel plans, or other big events. Once you've got your date, it's time to think about WHERE you're throwing this shindig.
For spring parties in Pittsburgh, you've got tons of options! A backyard party is always a winner if the weather cooperates. There's something so relaxed and fun about letting kids run around in your own space. Plus, you can control the timeline, the guest list, and you don't have to worry about packing everything up by a certain time.
Local parks are another awesome choice! Many parks in our area have pavilions you can reserve, and they usually come with picnic tables, grills, and plenty of room for kids to play. Just make sure you book early, those pavilions go QUICK in spring.
Pro tip: If you're eyeing a specific weekend in May or early June (graduation season!), book your venue like, yesterday. Seriously!
2. Nail Down Your Guest List
Okay, so you've got your date and your venue. Awesome! Now it's time to figure out who's actually coming to this party.
We know, we know, the guest list can be tricky. Do you invite the whole class? Just close friends? Cousins? Neighbors? It's a lot!
But here's why this step is super important: your guest count affects literally everything else. It determines how much food you need, how many goodie bags to prep, how big your cake should be, and, this is the big one, how much entertainment time you'll need.
For example, if you're planning on having face painting and balloon twisting at your party (more on that in a sec!), knowing your guest count helps us plan the perfect amount of time. A party with 10 kids needs different coverage than a party with 30 kids!
Our advice? Start with your "must-invite" list, then go from there. And remember, it's YOUR party, so you get to make the rules!
3. Book Your Professional Entertainment EARLY
Here's where things get real: professional entertainment books up FAST in spring.
We're talking face painters, balloon twisters, magicians, character visits, all of it. And in the Pittsburgh area, weekends in April, May, and June are absolute gold. If you wait until two weeks before your party to reach out, there's a really good chance your first choice won't be available.
At Busy Bee's Arty Party, we've been doing this for over a decade, and we can tell you with 100% certainty that early birds get the best time slots. We typically recommend booking at least 4-6 weeks in advance for spring parties. Some of our regulars book even earlier!
Now, let's talk about what we offer because this is where the magic happens!
Our most popular package combines face painting and balloon twisting, and it's seriously the perfect combo for spring birthday parties. Kids get to pick their favorite design (think butterflies, superheroes, animals, you name it!), and then they walk away with an awesome balloon creation. It keeps the party energy up and gives kids something fun to do while they're waiting for cake time.
Right now, we're offering a special package for $225 that includes both face painting AND balloon twisting! It's honestly such a great deal, and parents love it because it takes a huge chunk of party planning stress off their plate. You can check out all our services and pricing at our website.
The best part? We bring everything. You don't have to worry about supplies, setup, or cleanup. We show up, spread the joy, and make your party stress-free!
4. Choose Your Theme & Order Your Cake
Alright, now for the FUN stuff, your party theme!
Spring gives you SO many adorable theme options. We're seeing tons of requests for garden parties, butterfly themes, rainbow celebrations, and even spring sports themes for the little athletes out there. And if your kiddo's birthday falls close to Easter, bunny-themed parties are always a hit! (Speaking of which, we're booking Easter Bunny home visits right now, check out our latest blog post for all the details!)
Once you've picked your theme, it's time to order that cake. Trust us, bakeries get BUSY during spring party season. Don't wait until the last minute on this one! Most good bakeries need at least 1-2 weeks' notice for custom cakes, and some popular spots need even more time.
Your theme also helps with decorations, invitations, and coordinating everything else. When you book entertainment with us, feel free to let us know your theme! We can often incorporate it into face painting designs or balloon creations to make everything feel super cohesive.
5. Have a Backup Plan (Because... Pennsylvania Weather!)
Okay, real talk: spring weather in Pennsylvania is wildly unpredictable.
One day it's 75 and sunny, the next day it's 50 and pouring rain. We've seen it all! That's why having a backup plan is absolutely essential for spring parties, especially if you're planning an outdoor celebration.
Here are some backup options to consider:
Indoor Space: If you're doing a backyard party, make sure you have indoor space available just in case. Can you fit everyone in your basement, living room, or garage? Think it through ahead of time so you're not scrambling if the weather turns.
Tent Rental: For park parties, consider renting a tent or canopy. Even if it doesn't rain, it provides shade on super sunny days!
Flexible Entertainment: The good news? Face painting and balloon twisting work just as well indoors as they do outdoors! We've done plenty of parties where we started outside and then moved everything inside when the weather changed. No biggie!
Alternative Date: Some families like to have a rain date planned, especially for larger parties. If you go this route, make sure your entertainment is flexible too. Give us a call, and we can usually work with you on rescheduling if Mother Nature doesn't cooperate.
Pittsburgh weather keeps us on our toes, but with a solid backup plan, you'll be ready for anything!
Bonus Tip: Communicate Early & Often
One last piece of advice from our years of party experience: communicate with your guests early!
Send out those invitations with plenty of notice (at least 3-4 weeks before the party). Include all the important details, date, time, location, RSVP deadline, and any special instructions (like "dress for outdoor play" or "we'll have a piñata, so prepare for sugar rushes!").
The sooner you get RSVPs back, the easier your planning becomes. You'll know your final headcount, which helps with food, seating, and timing out the entertainment.
Let's Make This Spring Birthday Unforgettable!
Planning a spring birthday party in Pittsburgh doesn't have to be overwhelming! By tackling these five things first, your date and venue, guest list, professional entertainment, theme and cake, and backup plan, you're setting yourself up for party planning success.
And hey, if you want to take one BIG thing off your plate, let us handle the entertainment! We've spent over a decade making Pittsburgh-area parties magical and stress-free. Our face painting and balloon twisting combo keeps kids happy, parents relaxed, and the party vibes flowing.
Ready to book? Head over to our website or give us a call. Spring weekends are filling up fast, but we'd love to be part of your celebration!
Here's to sunshine, cake, and tons of spring birthday fun! 🐝🎨🎈