Making kids party bearable for the adults

[GinCoffeeRepeat]

Having been to many a children’s party I find them stressful. Loads of kids running round etc, and usually starving because they always seem to happen over lunch time.

Can anyone recommend any ideas to make the party a bit more bearable for the grown ups.
The party is for a 3 year old in a village hall, hired play equipment etc so they will have plenty to do, be enclosed and safe.

Thanks in advance!

Wine

Er, wine. Or drop and go.

Alcohol, snacks, seats. Earplugs.

You can’t. It’s just not fun for anyone who isn’t 3.

They are not really supposed to be fun for adults. If they were there would be lots of gin and such. I know that's not helpful but trying to make a kids party fun for adults seems like an unnecessary task to me. Give them a coffee and be friendly, they will survive.

Dominos pizza! Or other snacks. Drinks.

I think they just have to be endured really. Making them an hour and a half rather than two hours is the best way.

Alcohol - Aldi’s prosecco & platter of meats, cheese & baguettes.

Wine and food it is!

There isn’t a Domino’s near me or that would have been a great shout.
Crisps, dip, cheese, bread and sliced meats (on a separate table away from snotty fingers) would that be ok?

I know it’s supposed to be about the three year olds, but who enjoys a kids party? I just want it to be a bit more tolerable and relaxed. Ive been to parties before and just felt like I’ve hovered around waiting for it to end!

absolutely nothing ypu can do.
you will have some parents who will drop kids, some who hang about on tje guidelines and thise who watch and shadow their every childs move.
give them a miss till 5 when parents can all drop amd run!

yeah we had the food at the opposite end & the kids were distracted by the entertainer. Seats?

@fancynancyclancy There’s a few sofas and chairs in the hall, I’m thinking of rearranging them so that the adults can all sit together whilst being able to watch over the kids.

Yeah we had chairs down one end. Don’t stress too much but I always appreciate a bit of food & drink to numb the pain!

I wouldn't do alcohol. There's always someone who drinks too much and parents will need to drive their kids home afterwards.

Food; drinks (including alcohol); I would have though all parents would stay with a child of that age so siblings coming along too will be inevitable for some at least so a friendly smile at the older ones and the offer of a piece of cake and/or leftover party food and offering the mums of babies a drink whilst they feed is always welcome; basic introductions if they might not know anyone else.

Agree with PPs. Preferably keep it to 1.5 hours, not over a mealtime, if Sunday than no earlier than 11.00. Serve tea and biscuits/cake. Write kids' names on their cups, maybe do those cardboard lunch boxes.

We did adult bbq outside

I always have booze at my kids' parties!

Snacks, drinks, table, chairs and newspapers! Allow those who don’t want to chat the whole time a legitimate thing to do with the papers being there (I may be projecting...).

The only way to make it bearable (for them) is to let them know the pick-up time.

Food and alcohol.

If it's lunchtime decent coffee would suit me, and food that's not beige

Have included siblings on the invite.
Its a small village where most people will be within walking distance to home. Obviously I’m not encouraging a piss up, just a glass with some ‘nibbles’.
This cardboard lunchboxes are a good idea. What would you put in them? Sandwich, fruit, carrot/cucumber batons and cake?

This is the first birthday party I have hosted (other than a family bbq).

Last weekend we did a bbq and tables / chairs outside with naice coffee, tea, Pimms and bottles of water. Plenty of extra cakes and crisps on the tables outside.

Prosecco.