What makes a good birthday party?

[Clumsykitten]

We are planning a fairly standard whole class type party for our 5yo - church hall, bouncy castle, probably pizza, bit of party music.

But what makes a party like this more fun? For kids and parents? I’m looking for ideas big and small!

At least drink for adults - So much better when there’s some cans of coke or coffee etc. for adults. Two hours parties can feel very long when you aren’t even offered or can’t buy a drink. I’d also provide some nibbles for adults too!

I'm pearl clutching at the alcohol for parents at a 5th birthday party. It's most unmumsnetty. Think of all the phone calls to the local police station of reports of adults even having a sip of beer in the presence of the children!

If you are looking for something particularly standard outish/enjoyable then don't go for a bouncy castle in a hall or soft play package, these constitute the majority of parties now and they are all virtually the same.
The most memorable party my dc7 attended was a mum who hasn't got much money and did a very old school party in her house. There were about 12 DC and the birthday child's grandfather did party games in the garden. They had hidden ornaments with 50p coins attached, played a memory game with a tray with trinkets on it, covered it with a scarf then removed one item and the DC had to remember what the item was. They also played different games like jelly on a plate that my DC had never heard of so there was a real novelty factor. The food was cocktail sausages on sticks, a cheese/pineapple 'hedgehog', pinwheel sandwiches and the best bit was dessert which was an ice cream 'bar' where they chose a flavour of ice cream and jelly, then there were jar of sprinkles, gummy sweets and flakes to add. I don't even think there was a birthday cake, but my DC still talks about that one.