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AIBU?

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Original poster

Think I’ve made a mistake (DS party)

75 replies

Dobbythesock · 09/10/2022 17:29

I’ve organised a party for my son’s 4th birthday this coming weekend.
My problem is that I think I’ve invited too many children. I didn’t expect them all to accept, but they have! Only two people have cancelled.
So far there are 17 children going (18 including my son). They will all be there with adults/caregiver as they won’t be left due to their age.

The hall I’ve booked isn’t very big, I’ve hired a bouncy castle, which is going to take up most of the space. There will only be a small amount of room for tables and chairs and very little space for running around. I stupidly didn’t think this through at all. They’re all 3 and 4, so they’ll need lots of space to let off energy.
The party is 2 hours and I’m doing some food and the cake too of course, so that’ll take up 20-30 mins I guess.
I’m just really panicking about the space. The reason I booked this venue is because it was one of the cheaper options in the area, although in hindsight I should have gone for somewhere bigger.
I honestly didn’t expect all the parents to accept either 😭

OP posts:
HelloDoggy · 09/10/2022 17:31

Don't worry about it. Parents know just to stand back! In one party I went to, all the mums and dads were just in one long line backs to the wall. It's fine!

You might need to entertain the kids a bit - game of pass the parcel, and a few other games, a bit of a bounce, some food, and your done!

MissBPotter · 09/10/2022 17:32

Is there any outside space you can use? Maybe contact parents - set up WhatsApp group maybe - and say there’s not that much space so could you please only bring one parent and no siblings. This may put some ppl off and hopefully no one will turn up with the whole family like sometimes happens. Otherwise just go with it and hope for the best! I’m sure they’ll enjoy the castle.

HackettGreen · 09/10/2022 17:33

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the user's request.

Leakingroofagain · 09/10/2022 17:34

Nooo don't do pass the parcel it is the WORST game unless you want half of the cry because they don't understand why they can't open it immediately and the other half to die of boredom waiting for the parcel to go round 30 kids.

Do active games they can drop in and out of like musical statues where they become judges when they're out and they all get a participation prize.

1224boom · 09/10/2022 17:36

It will be fine. You are bound to get a few drop outs on the day.

Ponoka7 · 09/10/2022 17:36

I've attended similar size parties in church halls, it'll be fine. Get a load of balloons. In between going on the bouncy castle, at least a third will be playing with the balloons. The game to keep them up in the air doesn't take up much space. Red light/green light type games. The floor is lava, if possible. There'll be a portion sitting out to cool off.

Mumdiva99 · 09/10/2022 17:38

Of course pass the parcel.

Put then in 2 circles and have 2 parcels.
1 sweet in each wrapper. Basic prize in the middle.

Musical bumps

Sleeping lions.

Any space to put the bouncy castle outside?

Ponoka7 · 09/10/2022 17:38

Stickers for children who get sent out of games.

Original poster
Dobbythesock · 09/10/2022 17:45

There is a little outside space but I’m not sure if we are allowed to use it, I have emailed the owners to ask. Not big enough for the bouncy castle, but a bit of extra space to spread people if they’re ok with it.

I’ve got some cardboard crowns and some sticky gems and thought we could do a decorate a crown activity. And maybe musical statues/musical bumps.
We have also got lots of balloons, so hoping that’ll be something.
i’m just more concerned about fitting everyone in.

OP posts:
Chdjdn · 09/10/2022 17:48

I would push the tables to the walls and only pull them out when you’re doing food and same with the chairs to create more space

Treacletoots · 09/10/2022 17:53

You'll be fine. We had 32 come to ours when DC was 5 as a few parents asked for siblings to join. Sounds really similar too OP.

It was a blast, we hired a sound system, face painter and bouncy castle and just left them to it. The parents we catered for too with snacks and drinks. (Alcoholic and not)

We had planned games but in the end they were having such fun we didn't want to stop them and just handed out ice cream do they'd all stop for a break.

Stop worrying. They're 4. They'll have a great time

PinkPencilCase · 09/10/2022 17:54

I had exactly the same panic 2 years ago. I did the maths and ended up changing the equipment that I'd booked as the original wouldn't have actually fitted! What are the dimensions of the hall (possibly you can Google to find out, or email and ask) and the size of the bouncy castle? Can you swap for a smaller inflatable, or something like a slide into a ball pit?
I also recommend packing up little lunch boxes with half a jam/ham/cheese sandwich, packet of Pom Bears and a biscuit (some carrot sticks if you feel you must but they won't get eaten!) - just hand them out and let the kids find somewhere to sit.
You won't get them all sitting doing an activity at once but a craft table to come and go as they please goes down well for the quieter kids to avoid the chaos for a bit.

mnahmnah · 09/10/2022 17:56

I would definitely pre-empt both parents and siblings attending!

NarNooNarNoo · 09/10/2022 17:58

For my ds party we had a bouncy castle and inflatables in a hall, between 20-25 children attended. Yes there was lots of racing around, but they loved hitting and catching balls and balloons in the air - we played a game where a large ball was not allowed to touch the floor - they loved that challenge (and got the parents involved!). Tables can be pushed back when not in use, and chairs round the edge/stacked.

Whilst they were having their food we set up a sweetie treasure hunt around the hall which got them all to leave the tables again pretty quick after the cake/happy birthday singing!

WonderingWanda · 09/10/2022 18:00

Of you want to avoid having too many tables out get some party picnic boxes and have the kids eat on the floor. Then you can just have one a table for craft and hopefully some outdoor space, maybe get a bubble machine for out there.

Original poster
Dobbythesock · 09/10/2022 18:06

The floor space of the hall is 6.5m x 8.3m and ceiling height is 1.2m, so 10ft high.

The bouncy castle is 9.6ft high and 11ft by 12ft.

I'm rubbish at maths and size estimations so I can’t work it out in my head.

OP posts:
HouseInChaos · 09/10/2022 18:11

I think you need another hall or to cancel the bouncy castle! Or, could you have the castle up for the first half hour then deflate it and take it out of the room?

Needmorelego · 09/10/2022 18:12

Could you cancel the bouncy castle? I always found them a really annoying thing to have indoors as they have to have that loud motor keeping them inflated and that noise was always over powering.
Plus half the kids end up getting hurt.... which leads to crying etc etc.
Just play party games.

HouseInChaos · 09/10/2022 18:13

Oh, and you really need a clear metre in front of the castle which should have soft mats in case kids fall off...

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 09/10/2022 18:15

It will be fine. My dd had a bouncy castle for her 3rd birthday and none of the kids wanted to do anything other that go on it.

Overthebow · 09/10/2022 18:15

Dobbythesock · 09/10/2022 18:06

The floor space of the hall is 6.5m x 8.3m and ceiling height is 1.2m, so 10ft high.

The bouncy castle is 9.6ft high and 11ft by 12ft.

I'm rubbish at maths and size estimations so I can’t work it out in my head.

That hall really is small op, I don’t think you can have 18 kids plus parents in there, even without a bouncy castle.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 09/10/2022 18:17

Needmorelego · 09/10/2022 18:12

Could you cancel the bouncy castle? I always found them a really annoying thing to have indoors as they have to have that loud motor keeping them inflated and that noise was always over powering.
Plus half the kids end up getting hurt.... which leads to crying etc etc.
Just play party games.

You can't cancel it if the kids have been told there would be one!!

lanthanum · 09/10/2022 18:20

What's the maximum number advised on the bouncy castle? I would expect the hirer to provide that information. You might need to police that.

Parachute games are another possibility with that age-group, if you can buy/borrow a decent size one. Google for games. You can also use it to be a tent and tell a story with actions - quite a good way of calming them down before eating. (The other good option for calming is playing sleeping lions.)

SpicePearl · 09/10/2022 18:26

I had exactly the same with DS 4th birthday recently. It was soft play though so easier (just £££).

The crown activity sounds v good. Biscuit decorating good too and then it’s something for the party bag! Also disco games - statues and bumps but also superhero/dinosaur poses when the music stops and yes, stickers for everyone.

HollyJollyXmas57 · 09/10/2022 18:26

That hall is tiny… I don’t think you can fit 18 kids + all parents and some may turn up with mum and dad and a bouncy castle.

Id either cancel the bouncy castle or see if I could hire another hall last minute and change the location.