Party facts for kids

Hip, Hip, Hurrah! (1888) by Peder Severin Krøyer, showing an artists' party in 19th-century Denmark

A September 1945 street party in Selborne Road, Margate, celebrating victory in the Second World War

A party is a gathering where people are invited by a host. They come together to socialize, talk, have fun, or celebrate a special event. Parties often include food and drinks. There might also be music, dancing, or other entertainment.

Some parties celebrate a specific person, day, or event. Examples are a birthday party or a St. Patrick's Day party. These are often called celebrations. Parties can be private or public. Public parties might be in restaurants or nightclubs. Sometimes, people pay a fee to attend. Large parties in public streets can celebrate big events. An example is Mardi Gras or the end of a long war.

Different Kinds of Parties

Birthday Celebrations

A birthday cake with lit novelty candles

Children at a birthday party

A birthday party celebrates the day someone was born. This tradition became popular for many people in the 19th and 20th centuries. Now, birthday parties are common in many cultures.

In many places, birthday parties have common traditions. Guests often bring a gift for the person being honored. Party places are decorated with colorful items like balloons. A birthday cake is usually served with lit candles. The person celebrating makes a wish and blows out the candles. They get the first piece of cake. Guests often sing "Happy Birthday to You" as the cake arrives.

At parties for children, gifts are often opened during the party. It is also common for the host to give small "goodie bags" to guests. Children sometimes wear colorful cone-shaped party hats.

Some birthday parties are bigger for "milestone" ages. These mark important transitions, like becoming a teenager or an adult. Examples include the North American sweet sixteen party. Another is the Latin American quinceañera.

A Children's Party painted by William Hogarth in 1730

Children have dressed up for birthday parties since medieval times. There is evidence of "kinderfeste" (children's festivals) in Germany. A children's party is a gathering for kids. It could be a birthday or a tea party.

Surprise Parties

A surprise party is a party that the honored person does not know about beforehand. Birthday surprise parties are the most common type. Guests usually arrive before the person being surprised. A friend might lead the person to the party location without giving it away.

Guests might hide and then shout "Surprise!" when the person enters. Streamers and balloons can add to the surprise. Decorations are often hidden from outside the party place. This helps keep the secret.

Dinner Parties

A formal dinner party sketched in 1920 by Marguerite Martyn

A dinner party is a social gathering where people eat dinner together. This usually happens at the host's home. Formal dinner parties serve dinner at a dining table. Guests might have cocktails before dinner. Wine is often served with the meal.

Less formal dinner parties might have a buffet. Guests choose food and eat while standing and talking. Sometimes, guests are asked to bring food or drinks. This is called a potluck dinner. Potlucks are common in churches and community centers.

Garden Parties

A garden party is held in a park or garden. These events are usually more formal than other outdoor gatherings. They are often called parties, picnics, or barbecues. A garden party can be a very special event. For example, invitations to garden parties at Buckingham Palace are a great honor.

Cocktail Parties

A cocktail party is a party where cocktails are served. It is also called a "cocktail reception." Women might wear a cocktail dress. A cocktail hat can be a stylish accessory.

Tea Parties

An outdoor tea party in Australia (between 1900 and 1910)

In Anglo-American culture, a tea party is a formal gathering for afternoon tea. These parties were traditionally for women. Now, men might also be invited. Tea parties often use fancy tableware. This includes bone china and silver. The table is set beautifully with cloth napkins.

Besides tea, larger parties might serve punch or hot chocolate. The tea comes with easy-to-eat foods. Thin sandwiches, cake slices, buns, and cookies are common choices.

Soirées

In the 18th century, wealthy ladies in France and England hosted soirées. They invited accomplished guests to their homes in the evening. Guests enjoyed refreshments and cultural conversation. Soirées often included refined musical entertainment. The term still describes a sophisticated evening party.

Dances and Balls

Folk dance at an Assyrian party, Chicago, Illinois

A dance is a social gathering where guests dance. It can be casual or a structured event. Examples include a school dance or a charity ball. Dances usually happen in the evening. An afternoon dance is called a tea dance. Some dances focus on specific styles, like square dancing.

A ball is a large, formal party with ballroom dancing. Women wear ball gowns. Men wear evening dress.

Block Parties

A block party is a public party for people living on a specific city block or neighborhood. These parties are often held on a city street. The street is closed to traffic for the party. At some block parties, people can move freely from house to house.

Costume Parties

At a masquerade ball, guests wear masks to hide their faces. Guests at a costume party wear costumes. These parties are sometimes linked to holidays. Examples are Halloween and Mardi Gras.

Christmas Caroling Parties

During the Christmas season, it is traditional to have a Christmas caroling party. People go door-to-door in a neighborhood. They sing Christmas carols. Popular carols include "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Jingle Bells".

In Spain, this is called El Aguinaldo. Children sing carols and are sometimes given tips. Spanish Christmas songs are called villancicos.

Parties for Teens and Young Adults

A dance party with a live band (SO36, Berlin)

Dance parties are gatherings in clubs or community centers. Guests dance to different types of music. A disc jockey usually plays the music.

A house party is a party where many people gather at a private home. These parties are popular in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Outdoor parties include bush parties and beach parties. Bush parties are held in a secluded forest area. Friends gather to talk, often around a bonfire. Beach parties are on a sandy shoreline. They also often feature a bonfire.

School-related parties for teens include proms. Graduation parties celebrate someone finishing school or university.

Pool Parties

Pool party at Ibiza Rocks hotel

A pool party is a party where guests swim in a swimming pool.

Singles Dance Parties

A singles dance party is for people who are not married. They can meet new friends or someone to date. Often, a "mixer game" is played to help people meet. For example, guests might get a card with a quote. They find someone with the same quote.

Fundraising Parties

A fundraising party collects money for a person or organization. This could be a school, charity, or political campaign. These parties are usually formal. They often include dinner and speeches. There is usually an admission fee. This fee can be high, especially for political campaigns.

Graduation Parties

A group of graduate students at a graduation party

Parties to celebrate graduation from school or university are popular. A graduation party can be on campus or elsewhere.

Marriage-Related Parties

Wedding Feast in front of a Farm by Pieter Brueghel the Younger c. 1620

• Bridal shower
• Bachelor party (also called stag night)
• Bachelorette party (also called hen night)
• Wedding reception
• Divorce party

Showers

A shower is a party mainly for giving gifts to the guest of honor. A bridal shower is for an engaged woman. Guests "shower" her with gifts for her future married life. Guests bring small gifts related to the event. Themed games are common. A baby shower is for a pregnant woman. A new type is the gender reveal party.

Housewarming Parties

A housewarming party is held when someone moves into a new home. It is a chance for hosts to show their new place to friends. These parties are usually informal. They often include a tour of the new home. Guests might bring gifts for the new house.

Welcome Parties

A welcome party celebrates a newcomer. This could be a new club member, employee, or a family's new baby.

Farewell Parties

Many cultures have farewell parties for someone moving away or going on a long trip. These are called "going away parties" or bon voyage parties. Retirement parties for co-workers are also in this group.

Cast Parties

A cast party celebrates the final performance of a play or musical. It can also be held after filming a movie (a "wrap party"). Or after the last episode of a TV series. Cast parties are common for theater performances.

Guests are usually performers, crew members, and sponsors.

Pre-Parties

A pre-party happens right before a school dance, wedding, or birthday party. These parties are usually short. Guests might get ready for the main event. People often leave together for the main event.

After-Parties

An after-party is held after a play, wedding, or school dance.

Parties on Special Days

Parties for Religious Events

Famous Parties

• Burning Man
• Full Moon Party
• Lollapalooza
• Woodstock Festival

Other Types of Parties

People posing at an outdoor party in Canada

• Game party: A social gathering where guests play party games or board games.
• LAN party: A party for playing multi-player computer games using a local area network.
• Party plan: A way to sell products where a party is used (like a Tupperware party).
• Political houseparty: A party at a private home to support a candidate or share election information.
• Quiet Party: A nightclub event where people socialize by writing notes instead of talking. The main rule is "no talking."
• Sleepover party (pajama party or slumber party): A party where guests stay overnight at the host's home. These are usually for teenagers or young children.
• Toga party: A party where guests wear togas.

Images for kids

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  Party on the beach late at night, Goa

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  Costume party at Kazantip Festival, Crimea

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  Music party in the club, Kazantip Festival, Crimea

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  Dance party on the beach, Thailand

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  Children at a birthday party

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  A house party in Denver

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  Beach party - Haifa, Israel (2011)

See also

In Spanish: Fiesta para niños