Kids party

[Pickles79543]

So, it’s my daughters 5th birthday in a few weeks. She’s never had a proper birthday party, and is desperate for one. I’m a bit worried about organising a church hall and kids entertainer type thing as a) will it actually be allowed to go ahead? (It will be after the 19th July, but still…) b)bit spendy.
So, I could have a party in the garden at home- bouncy castle and picnic etc. BUT, no space for the whole class. She’s a bit vague about who her best mates are- everyone most of the time I think! AIBU to just invite the girls from the class? Even if there is a set of boy/girl twins?? Help please!!!

Op, many parties in those early years are whole class affairs, but with CV19, limits on numbers applies, so why not just limit to 30 outdoors, and invite more if restrictions allow? You could do friends/family if you want and invite select group of kids.

I never did whole class parties, but went to them! 😂

Have a look at the local secondary schools and leisure centres. Pre covid so I'm not sure what's happening now but most of our first year at school parties were this kind of sports centre soft play type thing.

The cost of a local hall is usually £10-30 so I think that’s doable?

Set up a craft station table get them making super hero masks, lots of templates online
Have a disco and lots of silly games like duck duck goose, musical bumps, etc
Glitter tattoos
Pass the parcel
1.5 hours
Party buffet
Cake
Party bag and home

Party bag-
Cake
Bag of sunflower seeds
Small treat size sweetie/chocolate
Bubbles

Party food
Trays of sandwiches
Couple of bowls of crisps
Fruit kebabs
Cucumber and carrot sticks

We have had this exact same problem. Limiting to 14 kids and adults and the entertainer - all outside (the risky bit!). All food pre-wrapped snacks, not holding it at lunch or dinner.

We had planned a whole class but it is just not possible, especially as we don’t know many of the kids or parents.

Yeah, that’s the kind of thing I was thinking originally- just worried that it might not be allowed if restrictions aren’t fully lifted on the 19th. I thought that just a few kids in the garden at home might be the ‘safer’ option, but it’s deciding who to invite as she’d never be able to decide herself!

I think it’s fine to just do girls.

Do you know any of the parents at all or could you ask the teachers who she mainly plays with?

My DDs turning 4 in august, never had a party either. We’ve asked the preschool to give us the names of the kids she pays with, they have given us 6 girls names she plays with the most. We are just doing a garden party but she’s so excited to be having a party I don’t think she would care if only 2 turned up.

Just ask some children in the garden. About six children would be about right. I’ve never heard of whole-class parties except on here. They are not a thing where I am.

YANBU

or tell her to pick 5 friends.

I've never ever done a full class thing, I find the very idea overwhelming.
plus I didn't want to spend the next 29 weekends going to class mates' parties ....per child.

Could you hire somewhere with a covered outdoor bit? Then if it's raining you have shelter? Tbh at that age I think as long as there's cake and balloons they think they've raved hard so don't put to much pressure on yourself!

Fwiw it was my sons birthday a couple of days ago and we put a marquee thing in the garden, he had five friends from school and the rest were family/ friends kids and an entertainer. Put music on Alexa when the entertainer left, then sent them home with party bags.

So if less numbers means a garden party I think I'd definitely go down that route. If she's vague on friends I'd be tempted to pick the mums I know (and that have kids my kid plays with) regardless of gender as it would be less awkward for me!

I think it's absolutely fine to just invite the girls (I have g/b twins by the way and it's really no problem if only one gets invited to a party, so don't worry about that).

In Reception the teacher was happy to let us know their main friends. Just have a few in the garden for pass the parcel and musical statues.

DD has been to lots of 5th birthdays the last few weeks and apart from one they have all been at local parks with open class invite. Kids play in the park, party parent set up park bench with cake and a few snacks and drink parent stand around and chat. Voila. Kids love it. Only risk is weather but you’d have that with a garden party as well.

Yes, absolutely fine to invite the girls from her class.

Can get awkward at that age if you pick and chose between friends, all girls from class keeps it straightforward.