Forget escape rooms, Forest Adventure, and Kidzania—create a memorable birthday party for your child right in the comfort of home.

The thought of entertaining a group of primary schoolers in a home (especially a small home) may fill any parent with fear, but home parties are also a chance to get those creative brain cells buzzing and work together as a family. Here are some tips and tricks from Singapore mothers for making any home birthday celebration a success.

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Successful parties can be simple or elaborate—just have fun with the process. Two of the most popular themes for kids’ parties now are Star Wars and Harry Potter, and local mum Rachel has attempted both themes with stellar results. Impressively, her simple Star Wars party was planned in less than 12 hours, while her Harry Potter celebration consisted of the full works—Hogwarts invitations, themed food, a Quidditch cake, broom party bags, and wand souvenirs.

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If time permits, make rather than buy. It’s common to hear local parents lamenting that they are not “crafty” enough to attempt party DIYs, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Start your party planning as early as you can (even two or more months in advance), and you will have enough time to research DIY projects, buy materials, and try making decorations, props, invitations, and goody bag souvenirs with your kids. Alternatively, use what you have at home: another popular gender-neutral party theme is anything LEGO-related, and local mum Evelyn made her own LEGO cake stand after spying a picture online. After she shared her cake stand on her social media network, her friend’s son was inspired to make DUPLO cupcake stands for his upcoming LEGO party.

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Find new uses for everyday objects. Creative mother Jasmine has made illustrated Ziploc snack bags, washi tape pick-up sticks, and party bunting using balloons. She has also created dessert toppers (from craft paper and toothpicks) that mark her child’s milestones, and party crackers from disposable wet umbrella bags.

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Think out of the box for party themes, and consider the message you would like to send. Avid traveller Steph wanted to share her passion for discovering the world with her daughters and their friends, so she picked an “Around The World” theme for their joint party several years ago. Each child received a passport, and they had to “visit” several countries and complete activities to collect stamps. As she recounted on her blog: “Our main goal was to give the kids a fun experience that will whet their appetites to explore, and to develop an awareness that there is a big, big world out there.”

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There’s nothing like home-prepared party goodness. On her site Goshedly, local mum and party enthusiast Ann shares simple yet satisfying recipes adapted from her daily experimentations in the kitchen. Even kitchen newbies can learn to make Easy No-Bake Coconut Cream Pie or Caramel Popcorn for the party dessert table.