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Original poster

Anyone ever held a just put toys out kids party?

30 replies

Readysetcake · 28/09/2019 06:19

How did it go?
DD 4th birthday party today. Hired village hall and just putting out toys and putting on music. Will be mini bouncy castle, ball pit, big sheets of drawing paper, play doh, balls, cars etc.

Plan is let them play for an hour, play a couple of simple games (e.g musical statues) and then sing happy birthday and food and bye.

This is the First time throwing a party and all the others we’ve been to have been at soft play or had an entertainer which we couldn’t afford/ wasn’t organised enough. Plus the party bags and food have cost enough!

Any one done a party like this and did it go well?? I’ve had three hours sleep due to 1 year old and anxiety is high!

OP posts:

hungrywalrus · 28/09/2019 06:24

Yup did this for my boy who was admittedly younger and it was fun. Don’t stress. Kids don’t need so much entertaining. The best parties are the classic ones!

Halo1234 · 28/09/2019 06:26

Sounds like a great party. Enjoy

8by8 · 28/09/2019 06:27

Children of that age will probably love that. All the entertainers, soft play etc can actually be overwhelming for them.

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1 year olds Events & celebrations

HeronLanyon · 28/09/2019 06:27

Sounds fun. Oh to be four again !
Hope it goes well op.

northender · 28/09/2019 06:28

It sounds great. Mine are well past that age now (18 & 14) but they went to all sorts of different parties & enjoyed them. Try not to worry if there is sniffiness from some parents about it, that's their problem, not yours. You don't say whether you've enlisted any help, but I would have people assigned to each activity, just to make sure that you don't end up with playdoh in the ball pit etc!
Hope you all enjoy.

Sunshineonleith12 · 28/09/2019 06:32

Sounds great to me, they'll love it! Your DD will have a fab party. I've had parties in halls with no entertainer before and they loved just running round with balloons - simple things! If they get a bit 'rowdy' maybe add on a few extra games if they need some direction (I found this more with my DS parties than my DD). Musical bumps/best dance moves etc with a sweetie/choc buttons as a prize will be fine. Good luck!

Original poster

Readysetcake · 28/09/2019 06:33

Thanks all. I guess my main concern is parents turning their noses up at the simplicity of it all. But like you say northender that’s their problem. We do live in a v middle class area so no doubt there will be some of this. One party I went to had canapés for the adults 🤨

I was hoping to rope a few closer friends to man things like the bouncy castle to avoid over crowding. And DH and mum will be on hand.

OP posts:

Sunshineonleith12 · 28/09/2019 06:45

I would hope the other parents would admire your approach and you might find others follow suit. I think things are going full circle now and returning to simpler times is far better for young children imo.

Otter46 · 28/09/2019 06:48

My son’s third was like this, just a bouncy castle and a few other bits dotted about the hall. We didn’t even have the craft stuff! Sounds a normal party for where I am (east London). My son’s 4th was at home, obv no bouncy castle or entertaining. We did a craft activity, games and tea. Went fine!

EleanorReally · 28/09/2019 06:49

good luck

SerafinaPekkalasbroomstick · 28/09/2019 06:57

My daughter's 4th was village hall, bouncy castle, ball pit. We also put out a few baby toys as there were many young siblings. Everyone in her nursery class had the exact same party at 4! They all loved it! Spent all the time racing around and on the bouncy castle.

AssangesCat · 28/09/2019 07:08

It took until DS turned 10 for me to accept that what makes the children happiest is just crashing around the house like a giant play date. They decamped (two floors down) to the garden on a wet December day fpr a while while we got the food out. There were a couple of loosely arranged activities.

Most successful and stress free party we've ever thrown.

Original poster

Readysetcake · 28/09/2019 07:11

Thanks for all the comments! All very reassuring 😊 stress free is definitely the vibe I’m going for!

DD has woken up in a grump though so hopefully that’s not a bad omen 😬

OP posts:

Michellebops · 28/09/2019 07:21

I'd love a party like this.

If it starts to need livened up (not trying to be rude) get frozen, moana or similar songs played and a bit of baby shark and that will help.
Also sleeping bunnies and flipping floppy scarecrow. Sometimes they just want to join in.

Have a fab day!

Michellebops · 28/09/2019 07:21

Flippy *

Original poster

Readysetcake · 28/09/2019 07:34

Thank you! Think I might need to spread games through the hour incase they are shy or a bit slow to get going. Any game suggestions? Trying to avoid ones where they have to wait to take turns.

OP posts:

Michaelbaubles · 28/09/2019 07:35

They’re great parties but I would break it up with easy games like sleeping lions and musical statues.

NotQuiteUsual · 28/09/2019 07:41

Sounds perfect. I run kids parties and this sounds the same as our most popular package. Just way cheaper.

Just remember at this age they may not have the focus for party games particularly well. Half of them will wander off half way through etc. it can be off putting though when you're trying your best

NotQuiteUsual · 28/09/2019 07:46

Oh and here's the timings of how I do stuff, I've found this works super well.
First half hour: free play
Quarter of an hour: games, ending with a non competitive game if possible(just means you don't end on the inevitable tears from not winning)
Last quarter hour: free play
Half an hour for food, then let them run freely with a couple balloons or whatever once they finish eating. Then hand out party bags which is everyone's hint to fuck off.

This is the winning formula with the 3-6s.

OhioOhioOhio · 28/09/2019 08:01

Yes. It was great. Hard work but great.

InvisibleToEveryone · 28/09/2019 08:12

One of my DC parties they spent a good hour just playing with the balloons, we had different sizes and shapes, some 4ft long ones and big punch ball type size.

You gotta have balloons!!

rosedream · 28/09/2019 08:14

They love party games. I my experience they prefer them to ball pits or entertainers.
I always used to do party games up until they were 9 as they got older it was harder for me as some of the games like a treasure hunt had to be really planned and made. Enjoy they will love it.

rosy71 · 28/09/2019 08:18

Ds1 once went to a party in a village hall where there were just loads of cars with mats/ hot wheels type tracks out to play with. I think there was also a craft table. It worked really well & they all seemed to enjoy it.

BenWillbondsPants · 28/09/2019 08:30

All my DCs parties were like this and most of their friends were too. What else do people normally do at that age in a village hall? Mine are 15 and 13 now so I'm a bit out of the loop! Are parties not usually like this any more? It will be fantastic OP and the kids will absolutely love it.

BenWillbondsPants · 28/09/2019 08:32

You gotta have balloons!!

Ah now, I did make a mistake with balloons once. Had loads of them out and half the kids were scared of them so we had to hide them in the village hall kitchen. 😂

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