to feel like a cr*p mum! Help! Party arranged and don't know what to do!

[newmummytobe79]

I'm very good at organising adult parties - lots of booze and food and music etc :)

I've commited to a party for our DC and now I'm panicking!

We've lots of family and friends and I really didn't think everyone would bother coming to a kids party stupidly thought they all hated them like I do! but most have accepted.

If we do food and have a bit of booze in that will entertain the adults ... but what do we do for the kids! All aged between a few weeks and 13.

We've been to parties for 1 or 2 year olds before and it's been a bit of a get together for the adults - no games, just food and drink etc and then everyone goes home after a couple of hours.

Do I need to entertain the kids? Obviously babies will be ok, and 13 year old will be stuck to his phone, but what about the 3/4/5 year olds?

Do I need to sort out pass the parcel etc?

I have party bags and that's about it

Any pro-mums out there? Help me please!

I will have wine chilling in the fridge for me and DH

What time of year will it be? If still warm and you have a garden then sand pits and buckets of water will keep them amused for ages. If there are a lot of girls (some boys would like this too) how about getting some gold card crowns, glue, glitter and sequins and getting them to decorate? (your house will be glittering for a few weeks after but hey ho!). Get a job lot of gingerbread men and some icing pens? A couple of toy archery sets and targets set up on the windows (this has been excellent for us since seeing Brave and the fact that the sun has been 99% absent these hols). Ummmm........

What do your DCs want to do? Are they happy to run around playing with their friends or would they prefer something organised.

You could have a semi-organised party. Leave them to play with a couple of interludes to do pass the parcel and pin the tail on the donkey. Maybe set up a little craft table with a very simple craft, maybe decorating party bags with stickers and pencils.

Where and when is the party? If it is outdoors, it will be much easier for the children to entertain themselves?

If you have space and money, how about hiring a bouncy castle?

Oh, and balloons, they keep small children entertained for ages.

hire a bouncy castle, about £65 and kids love

then all u need to is food and maybe a pass the parcel!!!!

Kids LOVE pin the tail on the donkey and give the job to the 13 year olds. Also 'duck duck duck goose' and traditional party games like that. Passing the balloon down the line without using hands?

The adults will love seeing eachother and chatting, and if you get the older kids to run the games with just a little help from you, you will find them dropping their 'cool' and getting in touch with their inner child and playing just as much.

Food: finger foods from sandwiches, chipolatas to little brownies and cupcakes. Paper plates and black bin bags for clearing up.

You will have a wonderful day! Nobody notices the glitches and hiccups, they just like being together. Always remember that.

Outside - obstacle course. A sheet to crawl under, a bat and ball, football and something to be a goal, ball to throw into a bucket, hoola hoop, something to jump over. Time everyone and give out gold medals (choc coins).
Inside do simon says, musical statues etc. I love watching kids do musical statues they all make it hard for themselves to stay still by purposely freezing on one leg!

How many children?? We often have parties with families. Range of DC ages and they just play together, bomb about on trampoline, trash play in bedrooms. Pinata's are always fun, pin the tail on something, pass parcel (13 yo could do the music if not joining in). If weather is good enough for outside, yy to bouncy castle. If inside, games as above. Personally I think parties are about all getting together so if it's all families there's no need for much fuss, DC can just play. Entertainment is more important if it's a DC only party.

I second a bouncy castle if you can, easiest party I ever did!

For the most part, my tips for parties are ply the adults with wine, and the children with sugar and the rest takes care of itself! And apparently Aunty Oreo does the best parties .

Disclaimer I am a responsible adult most of thge time.