5yo birthday party - too much?

[Sussana30]

My DD is one of the oldest in the school year, so I am trying to be organised and get her bday party booked / planned ahead of the summer holidays so we can hand out invitations as soon as school starts in Sept.

She'll be starting reception & as it's too soon for friendship groups I'll invite the whole class. Plus a few of her friends from nursery and cousins who live close by. Would estimate about 35 kids plus parents.

I'm planning to hire out a large church hall, get a bouncy castle and some soft play bits. Will also do a crafts table, glitter tattoos and do musical statues. I think there will be too many kids for the other classic games. Will probably do a very simple party lunch.

Does this sound like it's going to be a disaster, having so many kids? Will they be occupied for a couple of hours or should I try and reduce the scale of this? Or add things for them to do. Any advice appreciated.
She's my only child so I'm completely new to school age bday parties.

If they haven’t had a chance to make school friends yet why bother with the stress and cost? Just do a family party this year and save the big class size one for next year?

Don’t bother. Class parties are a bloody nightmare and cost a fortune. Do one next year or year after when she’s more likely to remember it.

I will personally be holding off as long as possible.
Weekends spent filled with childrens parties is the next worst thing to soft play

At that age there will still be parents who won’t leave their child so you will also have a lid of adults there who may want food and drink.

I’d leave it until the next year and just have friends and family this year.

When my DD was in reception there were lots of class parties including DDs and it was good for all the kids to get a chance to play together outside of school

Sounds great - whole-class parties are a big thing in Reception, and my DD has been to lots of church hall ones with soft play/bouncy castle. The kids absolutely love it, and generally spend the whole time bouncing, but a quieter craft corner’s also a good idea if it gets a bit overwhelming for some.

I think without structured play or someone running the party it will be really stressful - especially if you have those helpful parents (usually of the naughty kids) that drop off and go. Dont do it.

I think it sounds a bit miserable not to have a party! It's a good opportunity for the kids to get to know each other and make friends. I wouldn't do a bouncy castle though - too many kids, it will get too hectic and someone is bound to get hurt.

What killjoy replies! My DS is in reception and they love a party! Plus a good way to meet other parents. They seem a bit less inclined to just run around this year so we opted for an entertainer instead of bouncy castle. I reckon you could do a couple of very easy games (eg musical statues) even with a group that size. Enjoy!

If your budget could stretch, I would drop the bouncy castle and get an entertainer instead. And limit it to 2 hours.

Split them into groups and revolve round bouncy castle, craft table and games. Rope in trustworthy adults to take charge of the groups. Invest in a whistle. Buy wine for later. Have fun!

as PP said, split them into groups and rotate around the equipment. give them fun names (names of animals?) and you will get the kids on board. i would also state on the invitation that due to the nature of the party (soft play and inflatables), unfortunately the parent will need to stay with their child. provide refreshments for them and it will be fine. and have a couple of jugs of squash out for the kids so they can drink before tea x

My DS is September born and for his 5th birthday I did a party for his nursery friends. I didn't think there was any point inciting children he didn't know.

I did exactly that and it was hugely stressful.

Every other parent who did one had an entertainer and looked a lot more relaxed than me!

I wouldn't trust 35 kids, 20 or so of whom you don't know running potentially riot. Or I wouldn't after I saw my riot!!

I think that's a great idea and will hopefully also be a good way for all the class and parents to get to know each other. Can I suggest you add " pass the parcel" to your list? They will still be young enough to be excited by it, and it means they'll all sit down and be (relatively) quiet.

... with multiple parcels to keep them interested!

Definitely spend on an entertainer. The children won't know each other well yet, you won't know who to keep an eye on, and likely a lot of parents (hopefully including you) might be taking the opportunity to meet so might not be keeping a close eye either.

Other than that, go for it! My DCs have summer birthdays, and I was always a bit envious of the parents of the older ones who got to do the first few class parties before they take up every other weekend and the shine comes off...

op were doing the same thing for our dd. I've booked the local leisure center with bouncy castles and other stuff included, we've also booked a face painter, disco and photo booth 😂

It sounds pretty good to me

With that many kids I'd go with soft play. That's far too many to organise! And with basically all parents staying, the numbers would just be too high for me. Just chaos.

I think it sounds lovely!!

Make it 90 minutes max. You'll thank me afterwards.

15 mins random free play
30 mins games (music statues/bumps, corners, pass the parcel, giant parachute if you can source one, sleeping lions)
30 mins food & cake cutting & sing happy birthday
10 mins random free play while you package cake
5 mins party bags
home

All good advice. Thank you very much.
I will certainly have a look for entertainers!

I'm also going to specify on invites that kids should be accompanied.

Sadly the soft play near me is terrible, really filthy (and expensive) so I think the hall would probably be better.

Sounds fun for your dd, and a nice way for parents and kids to get to know each other!

It's unlikely you'll have 35 children anyway, as odds are some wont be able to come.
Put an "rsvp by" on the invites.

In my experience almost all parents stay at that age, so have some chairs out and maybe adult snacks/refreshments (nothing too ott or extravagant obviously).

I did a party like that for my DD. Was fun but i went way ott with the food, will keep it simple next time.

If you do pass the parcel, do more than one parcel either going round the group in opposite directions, or split the kids into groups and have a parcel per group.

A bouncy castle is really good for entertaining them, BUT they will not all be able to go on at the same time, so have a plan to safely rotate/ take turns. If fewer kids were coming, the castle would keep them entertained all party from my experience!

"Corners" is a good game for large groups, so one they could all do together. Can be easily themed too.

It sounds a bit on the large scale to me.I personally wouldn't be looking forward to this. What if all the parents stay too? What if they don't? You won't know most of the children and their families and you won't know who is who and what parent to call if they have indeed dropped and ran and if there is an accident etc. There is bound to be fallings- out and tears from over zealous, excited children. Food suitability for certain children will also likely be an issue as will keeping them entertained and contained in the hall where you can keep an eye on proceedings.Not to mention the judgemental parents on the sidelines.
I'd encourage a smaller party with cousins and friends from nursery.

I think it sounds lovely and the kids will love it!