Ideas to entertain kids at Christening party?

[LeiaOrganaBananaHamock]

My son’s christening is coming up at the end of the summer and we’ve just realised how many children are coming. We are the last of our friends to have children so there’s roughly 60 adults and 40 kids coming, aged between 1 and 10. We’ve hired the village hall (with a bar!) but I’m now thinking we’ll need to keep the kids entertained somehow.
I thought a soft play/bouncy castle hire but have been told by family that’s far too extra and I’m making too much of a fuss as it’s only a christening - am I overthinking this and it’ll be fine, kids can entertain themselves, or do I need to put something on? It does feel slightly mad to spend money on something my son won’t really be able to use. I’m slightly concerned I’m just in PFB moment and I’ll look back and cringe!

40 kids!! Good god. I love it though - it will be chaos, but great fun!!

I think I'd be inclined to hire something - probably not a bouncy castle though. A little soft play thing might be good?

Having said that, growing up we had loads of big family parties and they were always great fun as a kid - but there was never any entertainment, we just amused ourselves. Is there any outside space at the village hall?

I think I’d hire an entertainer and put them in a separate room if you can. On the other hand, I think children will look after themselves and organise their own games.

I'd get a load of outside games that they can play with but not do anything specifically structured. I remember these sort of events fondly from my childhood and we used to just crack on and entertain ourselves whilst the parents talked etc.

If you've got loads of space I'd be tempted to get some games like twister or giant noughts and crosses.

How old are the 40 children?

A bouncy castle needs lots of supervision especially with that range of ages. I think you do need to have something for the children to do but I guess what depends on how hands on you think the parents will be.