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Original poster

2 questions about brithday parties....

16 replies

LadyP · 27/07/2003 10:13

Not sure where I could post this thread, but...

DS will be having a small brithday party in less than two weeks and I have not planned it very well this year!

I thought that as he will be 2 and that the other three small children coming are toddlers, they could just run around in the garden happily chasing each other.

However, I have forgotten to think about my nieces who are 10 and 8 and my friend's two elder sons (no babysitter) who are 10 and 6.

So my first question is: How do I entertain ALL the children for 3 hours (cheapily as well!).

My second question is: What if it rains? I have a load of videos but that's no good at a birthday party. Any suggestions of cross-age games or activities would be gratfully received.

Tx

OP posts:
codswallop · 27/07/2003 10:14

3 hours?!! far too long 1 .5 max

codswallop · 27/07/2003 10:16

ps do you have to have the others? I reckon if they coame to a 2nd birthday party and are bored then they shoudlnt come! Its not your job to entertain them. They should entertain the littleies and I am sure they wont be able to avoid doing that!

codswallop · 27/07/2003 10:22

ps i have one scehduled for the 8th - lets hope for sun!

whymummy · 27/07/2003 10:24

hi ladyp i always do the parties at home and don`t even bother with games,the kids just play with all the toys,i do get a few pullinas from partypieces.com and they love it, also if you or a friend are artistic you could buy face paints,music and lots of balloons on the floor and everyone will have a great time!

codswallop · 27/07/2003 10:25

games for when they start scool tho..

ps why hows the warthog?

bubbly · 27/07/2003 10:26

Most traditional party games are pretty ageless
Pass the parcel
Musical statues
Musical bumps
Musical chairs
They wont stick to the rules but it doesnt seem to matter It's just cute watching them dance.
We do Simon Says and Treasure Hunts (hiding small treats under cushions and carpets and on window sills. Maybe you could get the older children to play hide and seek wiht the little ones or be the Wolf in What's the time MR Wolf.
And when you want them to calm doen do Sleeping Lions.
Any action songs like Heads and shoulders knees and toes.THe Hokey Cokey. If you're happy and you know it, etc etc

A 10 and 8 year old girl at a toddlers party sounds like a gift from the angels to me. The toddlers will probably just follow them around all afternoon.
I'm not good at older boys as have no experience of them but he might like to be the one setting up the treasure hunt maybe or in charge of the music??
Hope some of that helps
IME if you put a bunch of 2 year olds in a room and call it a party they just seem miraculously to have a lovely time without too much organisation.Noisy though!!
Are the parents of the toddlers staying too?

Have a lovely time.

bubbly · 27/07/2003 10:28

oh yeah and I agree wiht codswallop the time should be much much shorter. 45 mins play and 45 mins to do a messy tea.
Love the face painting idea but might still need to occupy the others while they are waiting their turn

Original poster
LadyP · 27/07/2003 10:31

Thanks for the suggestions.

I always have them at home (well, all two) and last year's party was too large, so thought I'd try and limit the amount of people this time.

My sis agreed with you, codswallop. She said that the older ones should entertain the little ones.

Is 3 hours really too long? I did 3 hours last year and most came at the beginning and left at the end. Or maybe their parents made them stay .

I know what you mean about inviting the older kids, but two are family (my brother's kids) and two are my friend's sons and she said she couldn't get a babysitter so she has to bring them along.

Hmm, maybe I should chuck everyone out by 4.00!
Have fun on the 8th. Ds' party is on the 9th.

Whymummy, like the idea about paints, etc. Will get some.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyP · 27/07/2003 10:35

Thanks for your messages too, bubbly. It was tkaing me so long to type my reply that I didn't realise that I would have received more responses.

Think I will speak to the parents and tell them that the time has been shortened. Start at 3pm, end at 4.30pm.

Thanks again!

OP posts:
whymummy · 27/07/2003 10:51

ooooh coddy,the warthog loves our parties too

codswallop · 27/07/2003 10:54

a god decision p, our timing exactly - and have the grub bang in the middle.

doormat · 27/07/2003 11:29

do you know anyone who could lend you a bouncy castle?? or even hire one
keeps the kids amused for hours

batey · 27/07/2003 12:40

Treasure Hunts are fun and can be adapted to most ages, for the young ones, hide things(we use fridge magnet letters) around garden/house if wet, give them a bowl and ask them to find as many as they can. For 4-7 ask them to find the letters of their name. For 7 up write clues like "this is wher you sleep/eat" etc, make them harder etc for older ones. And when they've completed their task they get a small prize/pack of sweets or something. Can be done in or out and the oldies can help the young ones too.

Janstar · 27/07/2003 13:50

I've found that if you get in lots of wine for the parents the kids seem to take care of themselves. (I can't face kids parties otherwise.)

Please don't call childline!

codswallop · 09/08/2003 20:59

what happened Lady P?

Original poster
LadyP · 10/08/2003 18:36

Thanks for asking codswallop.

It was great. Weather was fantastic, paddling pool, ball pit and sprinkler were out and all the liltle'uns had a great time. The older tow boys decided not to come along in the end.

Erm...the party was so great in fact that it went on a little bit longer than the alloted 1.5hrs...the last guest actually left at 9.30pm!!!! But it was family!

Hope yours went equally as well.

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