DS wants a class Birthday party in July

[IFionlyhadbrains]

So this should be allowed, and would be his class so shouldn't be an issue as mixing already. The thing is there haven't been any parties this year, he's in reception,so I have no idea what to do ? Bouncy castle, music for dancing, a few games like statues and then lunch ? Is that enough ? Would they need something else to do?

And how do you approach gifts as obviously he won't be reciprocating as his bday is the end of the school year. Do I say something on invite, like no gifts or is that mean to him, say nothing?

I'm tempted to do soft play but it's very expensive per head with the food, although looking at bouncy castles quite a lot and only fit 6 kids so might need 2. Plus hall hire and food eekkkk ?

Btw he is desperate to have a party and didn't last year as was unsure.

I've emailed some local halls not sure if they are booking yet?

How many in the class? 12, 30, 60? If you can hire a church hall or similar, make food into bags so 1 Sandwich, little snack, little fruit, drink and treat you'll save a lot of faff.

Entertainer like a clown perhaps of you don't fancy queues of 50 at the bouncy castle?

I'd be a bit eek about virtually no other kids being allowed parties and then yours getting a big one and inviting everyone so everyone knows he got one AND he got presents etc. Not saying that's what you're doing but kids might find it quite upsetting.

I think most people would just be pleased their kids got to go to a party.
That said I haven’t seen any indication that a group of 30 children plus a similar number of adults would be allowed to cram into a village hall. Our local hall hasn’t even said when they will open as the committee are all older people who are being super careful.

I normally spend more per invited child than they spend per gift so I wouldn’t worry about that. If you want to be generous make the party bags a bit better than normal but you don’t need to.

@SleepingStandingUp yes that's my thinking, although I think kids have really missed out on parties. It's the present that make me feel awkward. But then I'd be paying out for the party, but could do a little like about gifts not spending more than a book or pens ?

And not everyone would necessarily host parties, my eyes are bulging from the cost . When he was 3 I did it at home, but there is 28 in his class. I imagine not all would come but then you might get the odd uninvited sibling turning up. So maybe 25 kids. I think I'd need two bouncy castles. Great idea on the pack ups.

Why would ds not be reciprocating? He'll be invited to parties that will run all year round

I think it would be fine but, if you are worried, could you advertise it as a birthday party/celebration for all of them- your son and everyone who has missed out. You could say no obligation to bring a present for that reason. Some will anyway (I would, esp if the party is costing you!) But that will be those individuals' choice.

@Spied

Why would ds not be reciprocating? He'll be invited to parties that will run all year round

Yes op this is the other point. If he's staying on in his school, he'll be going to everyone's birthday September onwards as they turn 6

I wouldn’t worry about the present thing, you would be paying for the party and party bags etc, and as a reception parent I wouldn’t give a thought to it being unfair if mine got invited to one, there will be plenty more parties over the years!

If you can afford it, then some kind of entertainer is good to give a bit of structure and minimise tears over bouncy castle bumps!

If he's in reception how did he get the idea of a whole class party?

You'd be better erring on the side of caution and keeping it smaller as he might be disappointed.

Don't worry about the present thing though, you're overthinking that a lot!

They re- mix the classes for year one in our school. You can request for them to stay with key friends, but the school decides. We are a massive school with 5 reception classes. I imagine that whole class parties generally only happen when the kids are young. I could be wrong, no experience @SleepingStandingUp @Spied

I had the idea of the whole class, he seems to change friends daily ,but does have a best friend. I did ask him if Boris allows a party who he would like to come and he said "his class."

Don’t overthink the present giving. You hold a party, children attending usually bring a present as a thank you for inviting them to the party. Other parties are irrelevant.

Although soft play seems expensive, I’ve found it usually works out a lot cheaper (and so much easier) than having to buy everything separately - village hall hire, party food, cake, entertainment etc really adds up. Out of all the parties I did for mine, the soft play was the easiest and the children absolutely loved it.

The other option which is quite popular at our school is to share a party with another child. The stress and the cost is halved.

Whole class parties were popular in reception and Y1 in our school and by Year 2 there were a few people who invited the class and others who had smaller parties.

You don't need 2 bouncy castles either, they won't all be on it all of the time. Just get a kids party entertainer and let them do the graft

I expect if the Covid 19 relaxations allow for up to 30 or any other number to meet indoors after 21st June, you may still find it difficult to find a venue, as the few available will still want to space things out to allow for cleaning etc.

Please also do not educate your child to consider the Prime Minister as somehow akin to a friendly uncle or neighbour by calling him 'Boris', OP. Even if he was a decent human being and acknowledged all his children, I am not sure that referring to the Prime Minister as such is a good example.

We’re hoping to hold a party in July as well. It’s joint with another pal with 20 invites from the same class.

We’re going for a bouncy castle and arts and craft table - mask decorating sort of thing as an alternative and maybe some party games as a back up.

We’re doing packed lunches too in case people are worried about sharing a buffet.

Fingers crossed it can go ahead 🤞

Honestly book a soft play party, loads less stress then a village hall/bouncy castle type of party.

My DS went to an outdoor forest type party before lockdown ( he was in reception) they did bear hunts, building dens, finding bugs and toasting marshmallows that sort of stuff he absolutely loved it could you look for something similar outdoors = less transmission if that's concerning you

If you struggle to find an indoor venue you could hire a sports coach to run an organised outdoor activity at a local park. We’ve had several parties like this recently in our class - because it’s an organised group it’s been a way of having 20 kids at a ‘party’ during covid restrictions.
If you have a Playball franchise near you, they do good parties for this age group.

It’s my daughters 5th in July and she’s desperate for a party! I’m going to be booking soft place ASAP snd keeping out fingers crossed it will go ahead 😩

We did a park party
Picnic blankets, party food, took some scooters, balls and the like

Was a great party!

Kids just want to play they spend all day ins chop being organized.

*in school

I'm another recommending outdoors if you can.

And loads of games.
Pass the parcel, musical statues etc etc etc

Soft play will be easiest. I'd imagine they will book you up now given the terrible year they've had. I wouldnt think twice about the present thing, I always see giving a gift as my payment for the party.

Warning: When I did party for my 5yo only about half the parents RSVPed. They all showed up though. It was a stressful aspect of it as I had no idea if anyone would show up.

Im not sure about softplay as if any restrictions it's parents and kids.
I wouldnt leave 4-5yo alone in a soft play with parents distracted if they need the toilet etc.
My kids are jun/jul and dont think we will have a party this year. Eldest is y4 and doesnt have a big group anyway. Reception child hasnt had a party invite this year.
Weve enjoyed hosting parties before but figure its really not that important.
I wouldnt want to be dealing with disappointed kids if it cant go ahead. And also even for party child the chance of them or family getting a covid symptom and having to isolate