Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to host a children’s party at home?

37 replies

iambouddica · 10/07/2019 18:37

AIBU to host a party for 20+ 5 and 6 year old at home?

Average sized semi with garden. I don’t have room in the garden to hire a bouncy castle. Lots of DCs friends have had softplay/hired hall parties.

Would the kids be dissapointed with crafting, cake decorating, taking turns on the trampoline, toys and party games? Its a summer party and we would just be using an open plan kitchen diner, the garden and a covered outside area.

I can offer a good party tea and balloon modelling... we’ve always had parties at home before and its been fine but there are far more kids this time around. Should I just shell out for a soft play party?

OP posts:
IkeaIsForWinners · 10/07/2019 18:40

I wouldn't have that many in my house! Around here, parents still stay at that age so I'd count in an extra 20 adults too! No way!

Ragwort · 10/07/2019 18:42

I’ve always hosted my DS’s parties at home but never more than 10 children (& make it clear that you do not want arenas to stay Grin).

TheTrollFairy · 10/07/2019 18:43

I wouldn’t do it.
You would be better off arranging it for somewhere in a park and do a picnic if you are wanting to save a bit of money

Sceptre86 · 10/07/2019 18:43

What about a village hall or community centre type thing? They are normally more economical and some have kitchen facilities too. I agree with pp and would factor in that some adults might want to stay. I wouldn't have them all at the house, I think it could quite easily end up being chaotic.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 10/07/2019 18:43

At that age a lot of parents would stay.

Do you really want that many people in your house?

Fridaycantsleepdoh1 · 10/07/2019 18:45

And then 20+ adults as well, would you have the space OP for the adults as well?

sourcherriesonmytree · 10/07/2019 18:45

We went to pretty much this for a 4yo a few weeks ago. They had a biiiiig tarpaulin down in the back garden and they did the party games on that; hired a bouncy castle for the front garden, and had craft, glitter tattoos, and home made party food in the open plan front room. Older siblings and cousins seemed to have been recruited to do the tattoos and that worked well.

It was brilliant, and DD asked if she could have the same for her own birthday (as in, would Bethan's Mummy please host it?)

Worth saying that Bethan's mum is incredibly organised, super chill and a very relaxed and fun host, and that her husband and mother in law were busy all afternoon buzzing around with teas and coffees for the adults.

Raaaaaah · 10/07/2019 18:46

I think it sounds great fun. We have had 30+. Admittedly sounds like we have a slightly larger garden. Mostly kids that age just want to to run around, be together and have cake. Our most successful parties have been chaotic, home affairs. Saves lugging a load of stuff to a village hall too.

Raaaaaah · 10/07/2019 18:52

If you can put a sprinkler/paddling pool out they will be in heaven.

gotmychocolateimgood · 10/07/2019 18:55

I would only do it if you have lots of adult help.

  1. Manning the trampoline with 5 min wristbands, 4 kids at a time
  2. Making drinks for adults
  3. Doing face painting or similar
  4. Helping tidy up at the end.

Only do it if you don't mind mess! Age 5-6 is a grey area re: drop offs. Some parents will hang around, others will run in the direction of the nearest coffee shop for 2 hours' peace.

Have a plan for activities. They might be OK doing their own thing for 20 mins but then you need party games, and a confident adult to lead them. Otherwise you might find them running around the house causing chaos.

I'm a primary teacher and my limit for my own house (4 bed detached) would be 10 children with a pizza delivery. But you can pull this off if you plan it carefully. Good luck!

Original poster
iambouddica · 10/07/2019 18:59

Thanks, it’s good to hear from people who have enjoyed this kind of party - thats my main worry... that it won’t be ‘exciting enough’.

I’ve really enjoyed DCs smaller parties at home. I used to be a primary teacher so I’m fairly confident in wrangling groups of kids. I will suggest on the invites that parents don’t need to stay unless they really feel the need and hopefully that will reduce the number of sibling too!

OP posts:
sandyfoot · 10/07/2019 19:25

I think you're a braver woman than me but go for it. When your kids are older like mine you will be nostalgic for days like that. Hope you all enjoy

SuzieQ10 · 10/07/2019 19:31

Most parents would stay. Some come with mum AND dad. So you could end up with 20 kids running all over the house and more than 20 adults to provide teas and coffees for.
Sounds like a lot of hassle when you could hire a small hall for about 50quid. And you wouldn't have to risk your house being trashed.

gotmychocolateimgood · 10/07/2019 19:32

Fingers crossed for good weather. You could have a quiet room indoors with a film on for any kids who fall over or find it a bit much. My kids always enjoy parties at people's houses, it doesn't have to cost a lot.

bridgetreilly · 10/07/2019 19:33

The party is fine and in my experience children REALLY like a proper party with games and crafts and things. But 20 is quite a lot. What if it rains?

SummerHouse · 10/07/2019 19:37

Do it! They will love it! In my experience, kids love a party. There is cake and they see their friends. Job done.

superking · 10/07/2019 19:39

I did this last month for 13 5/6 year olds. It went fine, was full on but not too stressful. They were all happy with party games/ pizza/ ice cream.

BUT I was very lucky that it didn't rain! I could just about have managed things inside, and had cleared out the playroom as a contingency, but it would have been very squashed. If I did similar in the future I would limit it to 10 children purely because of space.

And as an aside, no parents stayed except for one who wasn't local and had brought her younger child too (at my invitation).

GreenTulips · 10/07/2019 19:54

We used to do painting parties with a roll of wallpaper - cheap in secondhand shops

Big pool of water with washing up liquid in and a quiet area for shyer kids

sandyfoot · 10/07/2019 20:06

Don't encourage parents to stay... why would they unless extra issues. DCs in school anyway and used to being away. I'd def have been grateful for the 2 hours peace. Any stragglers ask them to bring the beers and they can sit in a quiet corner

Frankola · 10/07/2019 20:12

I think once you actually start working out how much this will all cost it may be better to book a town hall or soft play party.

Paddington68 · 10/07/2019 20:13

Pour yourself a gin
Drink gin
Smack yourself across the face.
Now book a hall or wacky warehouse type place.

Louiselouie0890 · 10/07/2019 20:15

Have you known them a while my son has been invited to a party at a house and I don't know the mum so I'm not comfortable to go to a stranger's hours I've never met.

Ihatesundays · 10/07/2019 20:26

I liked doing parties at home (not as many kids) but the issue is parents not pissing off and getting under your feet/involved. I’ve had parents complaining their kids haven’t won pass the parcel etc
Glad I’m past it.

TipseyTorvey · 10/07/2019 20:32

No chance. So many people come with both parents and then some babies as well. You'll have 50 people in your house and then be trying to coordinate party games, food, adults tea and coffee etc with one loo. I'm still scarred from DS1 party in a hall where I tried to be the entertainment. Mega stressful but then I am a bit of a stress head, you might be one of those lovely chilled people that takes it all in their stride 😂

Hellywelly10 · 10/07/2019 20:56

I used to do parties at home. Kids loved them and it can be done on a shoestring. However in hindsight i should have limited numbers to 6-10.