5 year old Birthday party ideas. Is this a terrible one?

[Sushicake]

My lb 5th birthday is 6 days before Christmas. I want to keep his party quite small and at home (my house is very small)
So I asked him what he wants, and he insists on a movie with his friends.
I'm thinking 5 school friends. Snacks. A movie, pass the parcel and done.

But... 6, 4-5year olds.... sitting for a film.... parents
Awkwardly mingling in the adjacent room for 90mins. hahahah I can't see it working. Any ideas for me?

Christmas birthdays are a pain!

Do the parents need to stay? I would be worried that at that age they won't do much sitting down to watch a film

Could get them to put toppings on pizza bases to eat while watching a film?

No parents don't need to stay, I was assuming they would lol.
I did think maybe cupcake decorating. Or a playdoh party.
I'm just new to this. I don't want it so seem crappy. But my home is very small and budget is too! :(

Anything arts and crafts is a great idea. One of my daughters birthdays I had collected a lot of small boxes in different sizes and collected some cardboard kitchen rolls and toilet rolls. They all made tin foil robots. Also got the parents to supply the kids with an odd sock and they made sock puppets too. The kids were really happy!

I think at that age most DC will be more interested in exploring your ds's bedroom and playing with his toys. I think the movie will be a background thing rather than their main event.
Rather than a 'party' I'd make it a few friends over to play and party food with a movie for those who may want to watch.

My DD's birthday is 20th December so I feel your pain!
Everyone is always so busy so I would get no-shows or last minute 'sorry, we forgot we had blah blah planned ' so bear that in mind - although that happens outside of Christmas too!
A little party at home sounds nice - no need for parents to stay. Maybe a little disco with musical statues etc, a little treat for the winner then more treats for the losers otherwise there will be tears and war!
One year I asked DD to choose 2 friends and we went to a pantomime.
I'm sure whatever you decide they'll have fun.

Thank you!! I'm loving the suggestions. I'm thinking making it more of a play date now. Chuck a few pizzas on and watch my house burrrrrrnnn. 😂

Panto is a lovely idea!!! I'm keeping that in mind for next year!!!! X

Parents probably won’t stay if that’s the norm at your school. No one but the really nervous hovering parents stayed at parties here starting in reception.

But I think it’s asking a lot to expect them to sit through a movie. Also the snacks, the cake, games, everyone actually showing up, takes quite a lot of time. Then to show up film that’s 1.5-2 hours might make it a surprisingly long afternoon. I would go for a few friends over, food, games, let them run around, etc and skip the movie.

But I think the main issue might be the timing. Just before Christmas is really busy for people and probably most will have plans, be traveling to family, etc. Could you do it after school starts back in January?

My older one hasn’t had her birthday party until about 4-6 weeks after her actual birthday (we did a small family party on the day) the past two years. The first time I was about to go into labour and second time we were moving house. She was pretty excited that she got two parties and it stretched into birthday month!

My son recently turned 6, he had 4 friends over for a birthday tea. Sent out a message asking them over and drop off and pick up times so parents knew they didn't need to stay. I just left them to it, they played and ran riot and had a great time!