What if it rains???? Arghhh

[peachespaige]

Advice needed. On Monday 9th I have 25 three year olds plus mothers coming to my house for ds1 thrid birthday. I have booked a bouncy castle as I assumed being that its summer that it wouldnt rain!!
Im not sure what an earth to do if it does poor down and I have to cancel the castle. Let them all loose in the small playroom or bite the bullet and cover the kitchen floor with glue, paper, pens etc?
Only thing is that they will have just come from playgroup where they will have been painting etc all morning? Ideas??

[Aefondkiss]

I have the same potential problem for my dd, though not as many children coming but my house is tiny and I will have a mix of 6 yr olds and younger kids to entertain...

I am going to have a look on baker ross for craft ideas ... there will be party games... I keep thinking I will ask everyone to bring wet weather clothes for puddle jumping/ other outdoor activities...

with that many children(and parents) I might think about renting a local community centre/church hall and have the bouncy castle indoors - if I was you.

[LizP]

Does the bouncy castle have a roof (or can you change it to one that does)? Then you need to borrow a gazebo to link the back door to the bounce castle and then wave them out the door. Have lots of towels to dry the castle and the children and then bring them in for hot chocolate and a warm up.

[peachespaige]

Such a hassle! We are finding out now if it has a cover.
Ive looked into booking a hall which is a possibility, have to decide soon so I can inform people of change of venue. Bloody rain!

[Aefondkiss]

I would look at the orecast?

I have to say I would still be tempted to book somewhere, if it was just 6 children and no parents, havig it at home would be fine, but with so many, I think it would be much less stressful in a hall somewhere

[Botbot]

I'm in the same boat (I hope not literally). Am about to have a barbecue for dd's first birthday. Our flat is tiny so I've no idea what I'll do if it gets rained off - just cancel on the morning I suppose. Still, I live in hope. Am getting a gazebo today and might look into community centre idea though.

I thought we'd be pretty safe with a July birthday - how wrong I was!

[Clary]

I'd deffo book a hall anyway for that many children plus parents. Do you live in a castle? No seriously, 50 people in one house? It'd be standing room only my way.

We went to a party in a house recently for a 4yo, most mums stayed but there were only about 12 or so kids and even so the big house and garden were very busy. And it was a sunny day, thank goodness.

Yes book a hall (unless you really do live in a castle lol)

[peachespaige]

Castle I wish lol.
Well the bouncy castle has a cover and we are buying a gazebo with the side panels. Im praying for very light showers as lets be honest its going to rain!
Someone mentioned getting a load of bin bags and cutting holes in them and letting the kids design there own macks! Ill put out some glue and bits and pieces, should be fine.
Did I mention that I get back from a hen weekend on the Sunday night???
25 kids 3 and under plus mothers in the rain in my house with a hangover.....WHY?

[Aefondkiss]

I think you will be saying the words

never again quite a bit


good luck!

I love the bin bag mac idea!

[peachespaige]

Im already thinking it. Yes the mac idea is great. Of course Ive ordered 24 pairs of funky sun glasses for party bags, should have got umberellas instead!

[Aefondkiss]

if nothing else it should be quite memorable... in a what was i thinking sort of way... I hope you have lots of willing helpers?

[Botbot]

I'm going to pretend our barbecue is Glastonbury and issue everyone with wellies and class-A drugs to get them through the day. I've booked the Killers to play the 'shed' stage, as well.

[Aefondkiss]

how many have you invited to your dd's party botbot?... has your gazebo arrived? how many will it keep dry?

[Hulababy]

Recent party DD was going to was hastley relocated, as was supposed to be outside. Family rang round and mamnagaed to find a hall big enough for the children and activities.

The hall we hired for DD's party - big sport's hall, was £32 for a 3 hour block.

Could be an idea.

[Botbot]

Oh, only about 20 couples plus kids...

eeek.

Was supposed to be a big event in lieu of christening (not religious).

Have tried ringing round halls but no one has got back to me yet. Though actually the BBC weather forecast for Sunday predicts no rain, so I think I'm just going to risk it.

Have borrowed 2 gazebos (without sides) already and apprarently they're selling ones with sides in Aldi for cheap, so I'm going to get one of those too. People are just going to have to get mucky (see Glastonbury note earlier)!

[Aefondkiss]

botbot, get the bin bags out!

[Botbot]

Just an update...

Barbecue went wonderfully, the sun shone and all was fine. Phew. Oh, apart from my dozy father failing to operate the video camera during the blowing-out-the-candles session.

How did the bouncy castle party go, or has it not happened yet?