AIBU to keep my child's Reception party small and simple?

[Satwaiting]

There seems, to me, to be a bit of ‘one up man ship’ at school re kids parties, reception class where everyone gets an invite.
AIBU to invite just 10 and have a small party in my garden- I’ve a mud kitchen, a trampoline, and a slide/swing set. I mentioned this to another parent and was asked if I’m getting a face painter or entertainer and after looking that’s another £200 at least.
I was going to make a graze board with small sandwiches, cheeses, crudites, fruit bits, and make cupcakes (to hand out) instead of a birthday cake, but someone else said get a caterer in- been quoted £250! Whilst I’d appreciate someone else doing it, that seems a lot to me.
I just don’t think kids need all this, or am I being old fashioned? Money isn’t an issue, but will the 5 year olds be bored at a party like this.

Absolutely fine to have a small party at home, and we did it a few times. Have a few games ready - pass the parcel, pin the tail, musical statues etc.

Do old fashioned party games. Musical chairs, musical statues, pass the parcel, etc.

You could set up a tattoo station instead of face paints and they choose which tattoo they want. You can get supermarket party food if you want caterer or just do yourself.

yabu to say that big parties are one up man ship though. I invite everyone as I value inclusion and giving everyone a chance to attend even the shy/sen kids. I don’t host at home as not enough space so I save up to afford to rent a council space.
your party sounds lovely though. I think games like lucky dip, pass the parcel etc would be nice.

They'll just play and have fun. I used to hire the community centre with a bouncy castle and do my own buffet. My house is too small! 🤣

Don't forget games like twister, which are way more fun with friends.

I never had a class party for either of mine- all boys or girls from their only for first few years, then whittled down to close friends. It was financial but I also have never wanted to host for 30 kids.

IME, these are a disaster with really little ones. They don’t fully understand the rules, they all want to win and cry if they don’t and get bored after a maximum of two.

A simple party is fine, as is making your own food.

Balloon keepy uppy (inside or out) is a good one to pass the time. As is popping bubbles in the garden.

Pass the parcel can kill a good chunk of time as they take ages. 🤣 Plus it's easy for them all to understand and doesn't cost a fortune.

The kids will love it.

Glad to read this, someone not over celebrating and setting a lesson for life. Have a plan B as suggested.

Your party sounds lovely and i think it will probably be a welcome change.
If you want something in between doing it all yourself and bringing in a cater sainsbury’s do ready made party sandwiches you can order. It would be more expensive than doing it yourself but cheaper than a cater. Don’t know if it’s any good as i’ve never tried it just seen it on their website.
You’ve probably got all the party ideas you need for this year but I once seen a fb post about a diy build a bear, where the mum got lots of teddy bears from the charity shop. Although come to think of it the last time I suggested that activity on mumsnet it got some angry replies. I can’t remember why.

Made the mistake of a party in the house one year and it was like a tornado has unfolded as the parents all stay at that age. It was stressful and I never did it again.

hired a pub event room for £50 and self catered then after that.

I’d do something special such as hiring a bouncy castle or lots of party games as otherwise it will just seem like a larger play date. Lovely if you have the space at home.

I’ve done big whole class parties for my son in hired halls but I’ve always catered myself

Kids don't need it at all your party idea sounds fab

Sounds great 👍

Just do what you/your child want. I think in reception it's a lot of jostling for position and showing off or trying to be generous to ensure you meet all the parents and make friends- it's not really all done for the kids alone.
We did a mix of things, my younger dd really wanted a big party, so we hired a hall and did a bouncy castle and a friend kindly face painted for free. My ds is quiet, and has just a couple of close friends (always been like that) so even in reception he just had his 3 close friends around for a bit of pass the parcel, garden play and cake/pizza. It depends on your little one, whether they have specific friends yet or play with everyone, whether they like to be the centre of attention or are quieter, and whether you feel comfortable putting on a big party, or would rather focus on just a few friends and not have to rush about hosting a huge number. Don't be led by the rest- do what suits you and (mainly) your child, it's their birthday party.

Following this for inspo!!

I would love to do just a small party however ds starts school in Sept and birthday Nov. I feel like it will be too early to decide who to invite as it will have only been a few weeks so easily to invite all (30 😭😵‍💫). I don’t know!! Giving me anxiety thinking about it and it’s months away!
Anyone got advice as someone who hosted a party early on in Reception term or as the parent of a kid not invited in this example.

Your not unreasonable unless you've been to lots of the whole class parties but are only inviting 10 kids. In which case that's bad form.

I don’t think inviting everyone is one upmanship. Back in the day everyone was invited and parties were low key, everyone celebrating was placed higher on the focus than spending money on decorations or fancy cakes.

I don’t think anyone would call you unreasonable for having a low key party at home.
I would add in birthday games though otherwise it will just feel like a regular play date.

I found you should do what you want, the children will love the garden bits and they hardly care what they eat. Just go for it. All this expensive over organised stuff isn't necessarily more enjoyable for the kids.

They are 5, not 3. In my experience it’s fine.

Yanbu at all - it’s the instagram effect.

The only thing is some people will say it's difficult to choose which ones to invite, and if there are children who are more difficult to look after than your own, you need to think about whether this would be a problem for you.

Try a group treasure hunt. With hand written maps around the garden to different stages. Maybe include some activities, such as a dinosaur dig, or loads of balloons on a trampoline along the way.

Sounds lovely to me. We’ve done parties at our house and it’s always gone well, although keep it short and sweet! After an hour and a half they all go completely nuts. Reception age the parents will all stay. So add that into your calculations. Some will likely have toddlers/babies and may bring them. Personally I’d wait and do a lovely at home party once they’re about 7 and can be dropped off, follow instructions, use the toilet neatly and follow the rules of party games. In reception they just want to charge around.

Totally don’t go overboard! I’ve been tom a ton of reception parties this year. Some super fancy, and some simple and at home. Kids have loved them all.

what worked well for home parties - a game eg pass the parcel, lots of music, dressing up stuff out of you have some. One mum bought some plastic gems and chucked them in the sandpit and the kids loves digging and sifting for diamonds. A craft - there was one with paper crowns and another with colouring in. Fake tattoos. Amateur face painting done by a parent. Crisps and dip for the grownups. Pizza for the kids. Lots of places to sit. And make it clear they can’t go upstairs or it’s chaos!

as for big cake or cupcakes, it’s up to you! I’d do a little round cake for the candles even if you give out cupcakes.