OK, 20 kids aged from 3 to 10...

[Gillian76]

Ceramic cafe?

Or will they be bored after 10 mins?

Other choice is hiring a hall and a clown, but can't do this til the weekend after her birthday.

Tis DDs 5th party btw.

Opinions please as I am going mad with all the possibilities and need to book this weekend.

[southeastastra]

i would go for the hall and clown it's quite a large age gap and the smaller ones might get bored

[WideWebWitch]

3 yos in a ceramic cafe? It'll be a nightmare imo. Bouncy castle in a hall?

[zaphod]

Speaking as a clown....I think the clown idea is a better option for so many kids of different ages. As it's her birthday, what would your dd prefer?

[tigermoth]

Pcnic in park near playground that caters for a range of ages, including enclosed space for toddlers?

Cinema trip to something funny but U rated.

Not ceramic cafe - I wouldn't even trust my nearly 7 year old to behave well in one of them. IME some children like quiet crafty stuff and some children don't.

Hall and clown if that's the only other option. Ask the children to come in fancy dress as well - suits all ages.

[Gillian76]

DD is taken with both ideas. Am moving more to the clown.

Can't guarantee the Scottish weather for anything outside!

Was wondering about fancy dress. What do you think? Come as a clown or anything you fancy?

[tigermoth]

pirates? easy to make fancy dress outfits for this for boys or girls, and also easy as a general party theme - and quite summery.

Pirates of the Caribbean has made pirates popular this summer, for the bigger kids especially. See if the clown act can include a pirate theme too.

[B8]

Clowns can be a bit scary for some reason.. we recently had a pirates theme for kids and parents which was really good. Go to birthdaypartyideas.com- loads of suggestions on pirates themes as well as lots of others.

[Gillian76]

Not too sure DD would be keen on pirates. She's quite a girly girl.

Was thinking about dressing as clowns and doing a clown theme with invites, tableware etc. Juggling balls instead of party bags...?

Never thought about wee ones being scared really.

[Gillian76]

Or just come in fancy dress and let them decide. Naff?

[B8]

How about making it more general- could celebrate late summer with beach party with flower garlands for girly girls and some kind of "surfy" thing for boys? Beachballs instead of party bags? Decorate big hall with silly blow up things and do lots of games? Equally, not sure whereabouts you are in Scotland, but there is apprently a few people who do princess parties in Glasgow area.If none of this useful, then you shold go with clown!

[Clary]

I think deffo the hall and clown.

But agree that clowns scary for little ones. In fact if there are 3yo she/he may just dress up as "magic lady" to avoid this.

We did "dress up if you want to" for DD's 5th party this summer but it was on a princess and knight theme (I was advised by DSs knights better than princes) so fairly easy. Some didn't do it which was fine.

I like the idea of pirates but if yr DD doesn't that's not so good. I think a theme is good then parents don't have to go mad thinking of sthg clever - princess just needs Disney frock, clown can do a funny face and a pointy had, pirate just needs a cutlass and an eye patch etc.