What to do with six 6yo girls for 2.5 hours?

[ThatsNotMyHouseItIsTooClean]

DD has been on several play dates this term and I am returning them all by having all of her friends over at once on Saturday. What am I going to do with them? They're here for 2.5 hours. I was thinking craft, musical statues, musical bumps, pin the nose on rudolph & obviously lunch. They can spend all of the time playing if they want but I think I need some back up ideas in case they all fall out within minutes of getting here! Any suggestions? Nothing too elaborate as I'll be the only adult here.

A film kept in reserve in case it all gets a bit much

(I have done this. You will survive)

treasure hunt? printout a set of 10 pictures in advance and put them in visible but not obvious spots around the house. printout a page for each child with the 10 pictures in miniature. Children have to search the house & tick each picture as they find it. add in a theme to the pictures if you want. It is great because (a) it can take them 20 mins to complete and (b) different kids can work at their own pace so less fights.

also follow-my-leader, grandmothers footsteps and chinese whispers are good games.

Baking or failing that, buy some gingerbread men and some icing pens etc and let them ice their own?

Make it easy

First 20- 30 mins playing whilst everyone arrives

Make gingerbread dough in advance. Then let them loose with the cutters and rolling pins. 30 mins

30mins easy xmas card making, whilst gingerbread cooks and you clear up

30 mins they can decorate gingerbread with icing

Eat

Play whilst parents collect

I survived five 6 year olds last weekend for the morning - it can be done!
We decorated plain bought fairy cakes
Had a beauty session of painted nails and glitter tattoos
Had a picnic lunch on the floor in the sitting room
Coloured in Christmas pictures (from computer)
Watched a short film with popcorn
Left some free time for them just to play