I expect this has been done to death but does this sound Ok for a 5th birthday party?

[eastwest]

Mild panic (have only one child and no close friends/relatives with kids, so everything is new).
Planning to invite 15 - 20 reception age children to a birthday tea at a local cafe that is in a park which is very child-friendly, with two playgrounds and plenty of space for scooters, football etc. Have not organised any entertainment, aside from the tea itself (which will include cake, happy birthday etc.), but the idea is that kids bring whatever 'park toys' they want (we bring some too to share) and after the tea we all play in the park, before heading to our various homes.
It might be raining, of course, in which case... what? Organise some party games like pass the parcel and musical bumps? Pin the tail on the donkey? We have the room for two hours and playing music is allowed.
Does this sound okay?? I worry the kids will be bored, but I am just not really keen on spending a huge amount of money on party entertainment for a 5 year old, when I know he would be just as happy scooting around the park or kicking a football around.

[MrsJamesMathews]

It sounds lovely.

If it looks like it's going to rain tell everyone to bring their wellies and waterproofs!

Personally every 5 yo I know hates pass the parcel. Unless you're going to give all of them a 'prize' (yes, that is how it's done nowadays).

Musical bumps good.

[GoldStars3]

Sounds absolutely lovely . The best party dd (6) went to this year was like this - classic party games and lots of running around outside. They all had a ball and I realised what a novelty it was for them, all the old fashioned games were new to them and they loved it.

[Xmasbaby11]

I've never been to a party like this. It might be a bit open for my 5 yo - she would be distracted in a park and probably want to go to the playground rather than play games. She's not too mature for 5 though!

[GoldStars3]

If you want to go to the trouble, a treasure hunt can be brilliant fun. An initial clue (picture of a slide, or bushes, or whatever around) leading to more clues leading eventually to hidden 'treasure chest' (shoebox) filled with sweets or party favours... So funny to see the big screaming excited swarm of treasure hunters running from clue to clue 😊

[BackforGood]

Have you got enough help to look after that number of dc in an open space like that (plus getting the playthings + cake etc out from the cars, etc) ?
I think you have to be ready for a wet weather alternative, if you are in the UK.... Pass the parcel and some music isn't going to last an hour and a half, even if you make the food last 30mins.

[eastwest]

every 5 yo I know hates pass the parcel.

• yes, I have actually noticed this too! They get upset. So maybe a different game.
  

Have you got enough help to look after that number of dc in an open space like that
I am expecting the parents to stay with them. So far, parents have stayed at all the parties we have been to, so that seems to be how people do it in our neck of the woods. There will be two of us (me and my partner) and I could probably rope my mum in, but so far I've never seen anyone leave their children at a party.

probably want to go to the playground rather than play games. I think that would be fine, though - if it is a sunny day, I would just end the 'formal' party after the birthday cake & singing happy birthday, and then invite people to head down to the playground (but no problem if they want to leave or go elsewhere). But I could definitely structure it a bit more. I don't know, what I've noticed at previous parties is that the kids (they will be 4 -5) tend to want to run off and do non-structured things, and keeping them focused on party games is quite difficult. So a few short party games, and then out to the park?

f you want to go to the trouble, a treasure hunt can be brilliant fun.
This is a great idea - love the picture cards idea, nice and simple for this age range! That could be a structured way to get them going around the park. And the party bags could be the prize, I guess. I've been vaguely thinking of a space theme... wonder if I could create a crashed spaceship out of cardboard boxes and get my husband into an alien costume to hand out the 'alien treasure' :D :D Not sure what the park keepers will think about it!

[eastwest]

The other wet weather alternative I thought of was just to have them back to our house and watch a children's film on the projector. It will be a squeeze, but we could fit 15 kids on the living room floor on bean bags etc... and of course they could play with toys instead if they preferred.

[eastwest]

But yes, wet weather worries me... I don't think they will want to spend the whole 2 hours in that room anyway, whether it's fine or wet. It is going to be mostly quite active little boys...

[MrsJamesMathews]

Don't let wet weather worry you, not unless it's torrential.

Few games, cake, outside. Sounds like fun.

[Xmasbaby11]

I guess the parents will all stay? That's a lot of children to keep track of in a park.

[Xmasbaby11]

I'd say games first then food. That way there will be some structure and everyone will come together for the food / cake. That'll be a good hour so It doesn't matter if people drift off after that.

I'd avoid going back to your house as I imagine it'd be chaotic with 15 kids plus parents, and it would likely overrun if you put on a film.

[halcyondays]

I used to do pass the parcel and had no complaints, but it's not going to fill the whole time if it rains when we had parties in a hall, we used to hire a bouncy castle, do party games and put out colouring sheets.

At 5 many of the parents may drop and run. That's the age when it starts.

Treasure hunt is a great idea.

If it rains I would certainly rather do games in the room than take them back to your house to watch a film. 15 overexcited 5 year olds probably aren't going to want to sit still that long and it could be a nightmare.