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Really need party help, please!

19 replies

Aimsmum · 05/10/2006 14:06

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anniediv · 05/10/2006 14:08

Hire a bouncy castle. Get a bubble machine. Where in the country are you?

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saadia · 05/10/2006 14:15

41 children . Maybe you could get an entertainer at short notice. You might find someone on netmums.

If that fails, the bouncy castle is a good idea. Have you got any friends/relatives who could help out? If not then TBH I would be tempted to cancel, but then obviously your dd will be terribly disappointed.

But possible games - pass the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey, some craft-type activities, musical chairs, dancing around, dressing up.

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Aimsmum · 05/10/2006 14:19

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foxinsocks · 05/10/2006 14:21

at 41 children

You need a whistle for starters

Divide into teams (make sure rowdy boys are separated) - hopefully you'll find some other adults to help you out and each one of you can be in charge of a team.

Lots of sleeping lions type games for calming down.

I would get the yellow pages and plead and beg for an entertainer!

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Gobbledispook · 05/10/2006 14:23

Could you make it into a disco? Get some lights, loads of balloons that you could drop down from a net, bubble machine.

Tied in to the disco you could do prizes for best dancer, do musical statues and musical chairs, musical bumps. The rest of the time you could just let them dance to the music.

You can take up half an hour with the food part.

Have a table set up in the corner with loads of crayons and paper (maybe pictures to colour in) so that anyone fancying a sit down can just do this for a while?

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Aimsmum · 05/10/2006 14:23

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anniediv · 05/10/2006 14:23

Aimsmum, I am aware that this will make me sound awful, but here goes. You have paid someone to do a job for you. If they can't fulfil their part of the bargain, and you have had to spend out extra, you need to be compensated for that. While I'm sure you have every sympathy for her, you also have 40+ kids to be entertained! Does she know any other entertainers who can help out? I think you need to get her to say for definite if she'll be there or not, and make other plans accordingly.

BTW you can get bouncy castles that fit v small halls. Also, got any friends who are good at face painting?

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Gobbledispook · 05/10/2006 14:24

Ds1 went to a party where it was bouncy castle in a hall and there was a table with stuff to colour in - honestly, the girls especially spent ages colouring in! Simple things often work best!

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foxinsocks · 05/10/2006 14:26

at one of the bigger parties we went to, the mum and dad set up an obstacle course - 10 in each team. They had to complete a circuit (just things like jumping in hoops, run round a chair, do a roly poly, run to the end of the hall, collect a balloon and then give it to the next person etc.). Team who finished first got a little prize (and consolation prize for the others).

It took up about half an hour - (including a bit of time at the beginning sorting out teams and explaining how to do it!).

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Aimsmum · 05/10/2006 14:27

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Gobbledispook · 05/10/2006 14:28

If you've got a microphone - have a karaoke competition!

Obstacle course sounds good, and simple.

Play that chocolate game where you roll a dice and have to put on hats, gloves etc and cut it with a knife a fork. Great game that one!

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Aimsmum · 05/10/2006 14:32

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anniediv · 05/10/2006 14:34

Aimsmum, I know you feel sad for her, but not half so sad as you'll feel trying to entertain all those kids if you don't get sorted today!! Has anyone mentioned decorating cakes and biscuits? Get loads of icing pens and leave on a side table for them to do their worst!

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Aimsmum · 05/10/2006 14:41

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Clary · 05/10/2006 14:55

ooooh crikey

OK, OK
How about a craft activity to start with - make a cardboard crown and decorate (with stickers/colours for less mess) or decorate party bags (blank ones available in Wilko's).

Games: musical chairs works well, also msuical statues, also pass the parcel is always good.

You need big games with stuff to do rather than fiddly ones.

A treasure hunt worked well at DD's party - I hid pictures all over the hall and the first one to find all 4 got a prize.

Have you got lots of help?

Bouncy castle or a short-notice entertatiner may be a better idea actually. Also gdg is right on the money with colouring, that kept a few at DD's do amused for the whoel 2 hrs! I gave prizes for the best. Whistle is a very good idea.

Also mummy wrapping game - two or more teams, roll of loo paper, each wraps up an adult (like an egyptian mummy), you judge the winner. Hilarious!

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LizP · 05/10/2006 20:36

bouncy castle with 41 kids would need really close policing - only small groups at any time and that sort of thing - think that would be more hassle than nothing.
Disco / craft and team games. Also there seems to be a real crazy from 'whats the time mr wolf' and grandmothers footsteps at my boys school at the moment. so old fashion games and a long skipping rope might also amuse for a time.

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anniediv · 07/10/2006 22:17

How did the party go Aimsmum??

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anniediv · 09/10/2006 00:32

bump

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Aimsmum · 10/10/2006 14:40

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