01 January 26 - Planning a Children’s Birthday Party in 2026: A Month-by-Month Booking Guide

The start of a new year is when many parents quietly think,
“This year, I’m going to be more organised.”

If your child has a birthday coming up in 2026, planning ahead can save you stress, give you better choices, and make the whole experience far more enjoyable. This month-by-month guide explains what to think about, what to book first, and when to do it, based on real experience helping families plan parties across Warwickshire.

You don’t need to book everything at once — you just need to book the right things at the right time.


January & February Birthdays

Indoor Parties Are Your Best Friend

Winter birthdays are some of the easiest to plan if you think indoors.

What to book first:

  • Village hall or indoor venue

  • Soft play, bouncy castle, or inflatable games suited for indoor use

Indoor venues book surprisingly early for winter weekends, especially popular local halls. Once the venue is confirmed, you can confidently book equipment that fits the space.

Recommended booking window:

  • Venue: 6–10 weeks ahead

  • Equipment: 4–6 weeks ahead

Winter parties work brilliantly with:

  • Soft play packages

  • Disco castles

  • Smaller bouncy castles designed for halls


March & April Birthdays

The “Should We Risk the Garden?” Months

Spring birthdays can be tricky — sometimes sunny, sometimes very much not.

Smart planning tip:
Book with a backup plan in mind.

Many parents choose:

  • A village hall for peace of mind

  • Or a garden party with indoor contingency

What to book first:

  • Venue (even if you hope to be outdoors)

  • Entertainment that works both indoors and outdoors

Recommended booking window:

  • Venue: 8–10 weeks ahead

  • Equipment: 6–8 weeks ahead

Spring weekends start to fill quickly as families emerge from winter, so earlier is always better.


May & June Birthdays

Popular, Busy, and Worth Booking Early

Late spring is when party season really kicks off.

School calendars fill with:

  • Sports days

  • School fairs

  • Bank holidays

This means availability tightens quickly, especially for Saturdays.

What to book first:

  • Venue or garden date

  • Popular themes (dinosaurs, disco, fun runs)

Recommended booking window:

  • Venue: 10–12 weeks ahead

  • Equipment: 8–10 weeks ahead

If your child wants a specific theme, this is the time of year where booking early really matters.


July & August Birthdays

Summer Parties = Highest Demand

Summer birthdays are fantastic… and extremely popular.

Between school holidays, good weather, and longer days, this is peak season for party hire.

What to book first (as early as possible):

  • Entertainment

  • Then venue or garden logistics

Some families book months in advance for summer dates — especially for:

  • Large bouncy castles

  • Fun runs

  • Multi-item packages

Recommended booking window:

  • Equipment: 10–14 weeks ahead

  • Venue: As soon as dates are released

Flexibility helps, but early booking gives you far more choice.


September Birthdays

A Great Time for Availability (If You’re Organised)

September is a lovely sweet spot:

  • Kids are back at school

  • Weekends calm down slightly

  • Weather is often still pleasant

Parents who plan ahead often get excellent availability.

What to book first:

  • Venue

  • Then entertainment

Recommended booking window:

  • Venue: 6–8 weeks ahead

  • Equipment: 4–6 weeks ahead

This is a great month for:

  • Hall parties

  • Outdoor fun with less competition


October Birthdays

Think Indoor, Think Early

As the weather cools, indoor venues become popular again.

October is also half-term season, which increases demand.

What to book first:

  • Indoor venue

  • Equipment suited to hall size

Recommended booking window:

  • Venue: 8–10 weeks ahead

  • Equipment: 6–8 weeks ahead

October is ideal for:

  • Soft play

  • Disco castles

  • Themed setups


November & December Birthdays

Festive, Busy, and Often Overlooked

November and December birthdays compete with:

  • Christmas parties

  • School events

  • End-of-year celebrations

This means venues can disappear quickly.

What to book first:

  • Venue

  • Entertainment that fits comfortably indoors

Recommended booking window:

  • Venue: 10–12 weeks ahead

  • Equipment: 8–10 weeks ahead

Booking early here avoids clashing with Christmas events and keeps everything relaxed.


The Golden Rule for Any Month

No matter when your child’s birthday falls:

  1. Book the venue first

  2. Then book the entertainment

  3. Everything else can wait

Once those two are secured, the rest of the party planning becomes far easier.


A Note on Space & Measurements

When booking inflatables, always check the required space, not just the item size. Required space includes:

  • Safety clearance

  • Ceiling height

  • Setup access

Customers are responsible for ensuring equipment fits their venue, but help is always available. For extra reassurance, a measuring service can be booked at the time of booking.


Start 2026 Calm, Not Rushed

Planning ahead doesn’t mean over-planning. It just means giving yourself options.

If you know your child’s birthday month, January is the perfect time to:

  • Check venue availability

  • Browse entertainment options

  • Make a calm, confident booking

📞 07761 907 472
📧 luke@bestpartyhire.com
🌐 www.bestpartyhire.com
👍 www.facebook.com/bestpartyhire

A well-planned party isn’t about spending more — it’s about booking smart, early, and stress-free.

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