Stuck on 5th birthday party

[Countrylifemama]

Hello,

So my sons birthday is coming up next month and I'm feeling quite pressured into doing a big party with the whole reception year invited, as few other kids have done that so far.

What ideas would be best for ~45 kids? Few things I've seen so far is quite costly for that number.

Or should I invite a small group of friends he enjoys playing with? Very confused, plus so he's said he wants to a small party... Will I be shunned if I don't invite the year?!

Thanks

I wouod have a small party and not give a monkeys about being shun, at the end of the day nobody cares anyway.

A party of 45 kids way too much for a five year old - does he even know them all? Plus 45 bits of plastic junk presents arghhh

Give him what he wants, say about 5 friends and he'll love it

Do not give into the pressure. Have a small party, especially as that's what he actually wants. Every other mother will thank you.

Invite who your DS wants.

Our DS is 5 next month too. He's having a soft play party for insert number depending on who bothers to RSVP. There's no way we'd do a whole class party.

When my DC were in reception, it was only for the first few weeks that people did whole class parties, and then people started breaking away and doing smaller ones. I don’t remember anyone being offended.

45 is too many. i have been to whole class parties but not more than that.

my advice is to let him have a few friends whose company he enjoys. Maybe around 20 kids? We've had success with a hall, a bouncy castle and a couple of simple games ( musical statues, pass the parcel, corners etc.) and it's fairly inexpensive. Also do 1.5 or 2 hours max. My other advice would be to have a lunchtime party, something like 11-12.30. You will be up in the morning anyway with a 5 yr old so rather than spending the day preparing/anticipating to then have an overtired child, just get it over with and you can relax in the afternoon!

...or if you want even smaller just do 8/10 kids at home and a few games, you could set up a treasure hunt and do some party games in your lounge. If at home definitely stick to 1.5 hrs especially in winter when they can't play outside ( I speak from experience!)

thank you for all the replies so far 😊. 45 kids is the total number of kids in the reception year, so far the few parties I'm aware of have invited the whole year.

I've not really done a party for him since his 1st (always small family affair) for a smaller group what ideas would you suggest? X

45 is a lot. We've done quite a few big parties, but I've never gone above 32. For 30ish you can manage with a village hall, bouncy castle, 1 or 2 craft activities and a few games. Costs me about £150 - £24 for the hall, £60 for the bouncy castle, the rest for food, a few prizes and balloons and so on. I think 45 might be too many though for one bouncy castle.

Nothing wrong with inviting a few to a smaller party though.

You could do a joint party with a few others. That's what a lot of us do in my DC's school. It's much cheaper and the parents like it because it means there aren't parties every weekend.

45 - is that two classes? His class would be fine, along with the a couple of people he plays with in the other class. Remember, not everyone will come along.

I'd have a small party with only his friends. I think it's crazy how in England people feel the need to invite the entire class to a party! How would you like to celebrate your birthday with a group of people you might not know well or like much?

We had our ds 5th birthday 2 weeks ago. As brand new to school invited all 40...luckily only 20 said yes. I would say just his class plus any specific children from other class he has mentioned? Lots of soft plays here do packages for 20 children which aren't too bad cost wise.

Listen to him.
Pick 8 friends ( or whatever the minimum no. is) and book local activity.

Soft play.

Traditional party games at yours if you can accommodate the numbers.

My ds has just started reception too and there seems to be a mix of parties. We did a whole class one, 30 kids, hired a hall, put some music on and I did games with them, bit of snack food, sweets when they left. Cost £100 all in and everyone loved it. But there have also been, all boys parties, all girls ones, ones where just a few have been invited. No one has battered an eye lid really.

A small party is fine as long as you're careful. Teach DS early on (as much as you can) not to brag about the party to those not invited. Make sure not to make a big deal out of handing out invitations in class. Ensure that if he has a little group of friends all are included. Make sure you don't invite all but one or two boys in the class. Then have the party DS wants.

Thank you for the responses so far! Yes it is 2 classes; conscious that there was a birthday list sent out to parents in case anyone wanted to do joint etc... So feel bad excluding but then he doesn't even play with most of them a small group... I think I'll go with what he wants. Is much rather he enjoys his day than worry about others X

I had about 45 turn up when I did my dds reception party, I invited 32 but ended up with 13 kids that either weren't invited I.e siblings and some that never RSVP but turned up anyway. Be careful that 45 could turn into 50 odd !!
I wouldn't invite both classes. I would either do his class in a hall with an entertainer or just invite who he wants to a smaller party like bowling, soft play, pizza party etc.

Fuck that for a game of soldiers.

I'm in the number of guests = age of child category

So, at 5 mine would have 5 guests. Simple, cheaper, fun, less stressful and less clearing up!

I'm doing a whole class thing for DDs 5th Birthday.

She can't tell me who her close friends are yet so it just seems easier to do it this way and nobody is excluded.

We have hired a function room upstairs in a (family) pub and have hired a party host company that will basically provide entertainment, music and food for one all inclusive price (which is extremely reasonable - if you're in the NW PM me if you want details).

Total cost for part with 30 kids £200. Local soft play was almost double that for that many!

Ah yes also, only invited her class of 22 (plus family and friends kids), not the whole group which is 45.

I am in the process of doing a party..up to press I have 50 kids...the hall was 40 pounds for 3 hrs ..the disco and entertainment package was 240.00 decided I couldnt be bothered with party bags so I ordered 50 sweet cones instead at 1.00 each..just got the food to do now and ebay was amazing value for bunting decorations and party table ware..Grans buying the cake! be glad when its all over to be honest!!

DD’s 5th birthday party is next month. It’s at a local leisure centre where they set up a big bouncy castle, assault course, games, craft table etc. I just have to provide food and cake. £70 for 2 hours. Only 30 children though, and we haven’t invited the whole class. 20 are friends from ballet/swimming/gymnastics/children of my friends and she’s picked 10 friends from school.

A good tip I was told. Go for a Saturday or Sunday morning as often there are lots of weekend activities in mornings or parents don't want to get up for them. At a recent trampoline one - invited class of 25 for a 10am session and only 13 could make it!

Californiasrcreaming thanks for your reply, yes that's what I'm thinking... Have a late morning start though X