Entertainer for 12 year old party?

[Nivealove]

Hello all,

I'm at loss what to do for DS's birthday. He has decided he wants to invite 5-8 friends to go Go-Karting. Most places are very expensive and booked up. So we've find a reasonable priced to karting venue but it's only for an hour. Therefore, the children will come back to the house to for cake and food.

But I don't know what to do to entertain 11-12 year olds. I find organising activities boring and would prefer to hire an entertainer of some sort. But is this childish? For DS 5th birthday, we did have an animal person come but obviously DS is passed that stage!

I was thinking of doing a disco theme in the house? Or is this too much? Or hire a bubble machine/smoke machine to liven up the place a bit.

Please let me know if any activity ideas or recommendations for an entertainer.

• out

Oh yes you MUST keep out of the way, except to silently provide food, then leave again and earwig!

Crikey, 12 year old boys do not want smoke machines, glitter balls, karaoke or any other childish party vibe.

They want to chill in front of the tv with junk food being treated like 'grown ups'

Be proud and don't compare.

Go karting and a movie plus pizza and popcorn is a very cool party.

Your lad is clearly nice, popular and has lots of friends to invite. Be proud! Go karting is great fun and they'll all have a great time.

So what if the other parents have bigger houses. You have the house you have and you're having a cool party. Be proud.

@Nivealove don't buy any big cushions, liege you say they won't be any use to you after. A few different options:

• borrow from friends, outdoor seating cushions would be good and loads of people will have them in sheds or storage boxes this time of year.
• use pillows from your beds
• fold up duvets

Op he's 12.
Pizzas, film, sweets, whatever they want to do they will entertain themselves.

Be proud of the home you've created.

They will have a great time.

@Bumpsadaisie

Be proud and don't compare.

Go karting and a movie plus pizza and popcorn is a very cool party.

Your lad is clearly nice, popular and has lots of friends to invite. Be proud! Go karting is great fun and they'll all have a great time.

So what if the other parents have bigger houses. You have the house you have and you're having a cool party. Be proud.

And great too that your boy is keen to invite his friends home. HE isn't embarrassed or worried about it and nor should you be.

Yes other people have bigger houses and flashier cars. That's life.

There are many people in the world who look at your flat/home and feel embarrassed about theirs in comparison.

Envy is the thief of joy. This party sounds like it will bring a lot of joy to your boy, dont spoil it.

[quote HalfShrunkMoreToGo]@Nivealove don't buy any big cushions, liege you say they won't be any use to you after. A few different options:

• borrow from friends, outdoor seating cushions would be good and loads of people will have them in sheds or storage boxes this time of year.
• use pillows from your beds
• fold up duvets [/quote]

I will just buy two cushions. Just something to liven the place up. It will make me feel better. Ha!

@Bumpsadaisie

Be proud and don't compare.

Go karting and a movie plus pizza and popcorn is a very cool party.

Your lad is clearly nice, popular and has lots of friends to invite. Be proud! Go karting is great fun and they'll all have a great time.

So what if the other parents have bigger houses. You have the house you have and you're having a cool party. Be proud.

Thank you

How are you going to get the kids back from go-karting?

TBH I'd be happy to send a child off to party for an hour with pizza/snacks arriving after the activity (this was the standard party format for a pre-teen).

Microwave popcorn and a movie always seems to be a winner for home hosting.

@Madcats

How are you going to get the kids back from go-karting?

TBH I'd be happy to send a child off to party for an hour with pizza/snacks arriving after the activity (this was the standard party format for a pre-teen).

Microwave popcorn and a movie always seems to be a winner for home hosting.

The go karting place is literally a 20 minute walk from mine. We will walk or take Uber if need me.

I am feeling excited now. The ice team ant sounds perfectly. Honestly, I would love to be an events manager.

Have a look on Facebook market place for bean bag chairs, then after party sell them on again!

Does your local leisure centre do sports parties? Ours does swimming parties, football parties etc

@Nivealove

Thanks everyone, I am embarrassed of my home and due to this, don't invite many DC's friends back to the house. DC's begged me to do a party in the home so this year I thought I shouldn't let my embarrassment ruin DS's childhood. It's difficult as his friends parents have beautiful homes and gardens, honestly. I just feel a bit out of place.

DS Is clearly not embarrassed by his home or his mum, otherwise he wouldn't want to have a party at home. He's excited about the idea of having the lads around.....don't forget that and be proud! Makes me so sad when people compare themselves. Wealth/possessions mean nothing in the end.....

We set up a photo booth with loads of jungle themed props. I honestly thought it would be a bit babyish but they absolutely loved it.

Our neighbours had one of these

gamingpartybus.co.uk

it seemed pretty popular?

Photo booth might be fun.

How about some LED strips rather than disco lights? They'll add some fun atmosphere without being OTT.

I get where you're coming from. I loved planning my DDs parties and in comparison to her mates our house (which is perfectly fine) is probably the least impressive.

But do you know what? She's 17 now and they come round here more than anywhere because I'm welcoming, there are no annoying little siblings and I let them have their space and get on with it.

As your lad gets older those will be the things that matter!

@MintyCedric perfect idea! But I'm worried about the led lights messing up the walls/ceilings. What about a projector?

You could always hang them using tiny self adhesive Command hooks which are easy to remove without causing damage.

Smoke machines are awful for anyone with asthma or other breathing issues, I wouldn't bother with it. More trouble than they are worth.

Give them pizza, lemonade and a pile of dvd's or whatever. And leave them to it.

Projector sounds awesome OP 👌what about a donut wall? Or those coloured light bulbs in blue/green. Just swap them with your normal light bulbs. Very cheap to do but cool.

smoke machine- no just incase one of his friends has asthma.
And please don't be embarrassed. Your son is obviously proud of you and proud of your home.

OP, ask your son what he wants and do that, even if what he wants is no fuss. The fact you even considered an entertainer and a bubble machine for a 12 year old boy shows that you're not quite ready to be an events planner just yet. Maybe take a course.

I think you are getting far too carried away with the whole "liven the place up a bit". Have you asked your ds what he wants? Ot won't be a random smoke machine, or disco lights.