5 year old party panic

[Mamabearinthewoods]

In a moment of madness I decided to invite my daughter’s class to her party. She already had 12 friends coming and we are now up to 37 children, with potentially 14 still to respond!
We are having an entertainer and it’s going to be in a hall but I’m just having a moment of absolute panic that it’s going to be beyond chaos!!
I’m also assuming (and want!) parents to stay which doubles this number and maybe even more if both parents come.
Looking for reassurance, advice…. Or just tales of other chaotic stories so I have an idea of what I’ve let myself into!! Arghh!

If having a cake I just have a show cake (which we eat later) and have a traybake all sliced and ready in the party bags. Consider having lunchboxes so you can pop one in front of each child, saves a little mess. Split the present opening into a few different sessions rather than in one go. Ask some of the parents to take photos in case you are too busy, especially if two of them have turned up. Have a few games/ crafts planned in case the entertainer doesn't fill the time and for if some stop eating before others.

Classes don’t have 51 children in UK

Parents staying don't always help and it is tricky telling Tarquin not to pull Suzie's hair when his dad is standing right beside you ignoring him or encouraging him on. A five though realistically many will stay. For future parties don't ask as many and just get a few trusted friends to help.

@Shakeyourface some people have friends outside of school

@Shakeyourface

Classes don’t have 51 children in UK

Could be siblings or one of those free-flowing reception classes with nominally 26 in each but in reality they all just mingle.

@PinkSkiesAtNight sure. But I’m not sure many children have 51 good friends.

It will be loud and chaotic so it's good to have a strict time limit/schedule. Something to do on arrival, entertainer, food, a little bit more entertainer. Cake and then start handing out the (already prepared) cake/party bags to everyone!

Have your good friends briefed, when the cake/party bags go out, it's time to leave ASAP. 2 hours top. Good luck.

If in doubt, a really long game of sleeping lions.

Set up a couple of simple activities on a few tables (colouring, fruit Kabab making, sticking sparky things on something, basically whatever you can get cheap and don't mind being destroyed), if you have an out door area throw out a couple of footballs. Every twenty minutes or so play a game (I'm thinking a treasure hunt thing as there's so many- eg the first person to find the fluffy bunny and do ten star jumps gets a chocolate coin, or pass the parcel but maybe two circles, musical statues, Simon says).

Have a bell or horn or something loud. The first five people to stand on one leg get a chocolate coin (use this for when things seem like they might turn too wild)

Basically Chuck as many chocolate coins out as prizes as you can.

Rope as many adults in as you can. Don't get fixated on behaviour as long as no one is hurt or crying roll with it.

God you're brave though!

😂🤣🤣😂 Oh dear Op, what the hell inspired you to do this ?
You need to know that :
1). some parents will just drop the child and disappear .
2). Quite a few parents will turn up and bring their childs siblings/half siblings/step siblings.
3). You will need a least a few adults that you can rely on to help organise.
4).I do like the idea of maybe sandwich boxes (99p for about 10. ) This way not only do you avoid tons of mess (if you are lucky) but also the kids won't be touching stuff and putting it back ready for the next little darling. Hopefully you will then be able to organise the seating.
5). I would not open all the presents because you may find that with that many gifts some may 'get lost' before reaching your house or some may get broken, small children do not really want to share. Following on from this get your adult helper to put the presents in a bag and make sure that you have a load of thankyou cards so you can send them out afterwards.
6). Depending upon your entertainer and how long they are working for they may expect you to provide some food for them. Also somewhere for them to eat it that won't have a constant stream of small children wanting to talk to them. You may also be asked if there is somewhere for them to change if this is something that they do.
7). This will probably sound like a daft thing but if the venue is something like a village hall then make sure that there are enough toilets as 40 children and maybe 10 adults could mean long queues.
8). If you haven't already done so then make sure that parents know when the party starts and finishes. If they are not helping to clear up you do not want them standing about while you run round trying to sort everything out.

1. Poundland or similar is your friend, you can usually pick up packs of about 15 bubbles, polystyrene planes/faries crayons, colouring books which you can remove pages from so you don't have to buy one each. Sometimes the pound shops do packs of 5 notebook type colouring pads.

10). Don't spend a fortune on a cake as a pp said (unless to have at home) get a traybake or two from Asda. Can't think of anything else at present, except make sure you have something at home for your tea or get a take out. You will also want chocolate , decent cake, maybe ice cream (comfort food) . For Gods sake don't forget the wine or whatever your preferred tipple is. You will need it and you will throughly deserve it. Good luck. Have fun. 💐

Get some plain boxes from local bakers....the kind they put cream cakes in. Buy enough for one each plus extra for surprise guests. Put a carton of juice, sandwich, packet of crisps, biscuit and a cake in each. Spread cotton or paper tablecloths on the floor (not plastic - too slippery!)Put the boxes around the edges for children to sit and eat in a circle. Don’t worry if anybody eats or does not eat everything! Have bin bags handy and throw all rubbish away after eating.
Make sure that you have some music that is loud enough to play musical statues/bumps etc. (Not too loud!) Get some stickers and put one on each child who is ‘out’ and say well done.
A colouring table is a good idea - 3 or 4 different pictures with sharpened pencil crayons or felt tips that work.
Party bags are not my thing but do help to signify the end. Put a bun, stickers and maybe a bag of sweets in and wish them goodbye. If poss, arrange for some help to tidy up, but let the birthday girl go home to chill with another adult.
Entertainer sounds a great idea and will help things go smoothly.
Primary teacher here who has run lots of class parties for 30 children without help.😬 Entertainer will do their thing, so keep your part quietish, positive, happy and fun.
Get EVERYTHING ready beforehand and double check that you have all you need. They will get restless if they have to wait too long for things.
GOOD LUCK. XX

Just to clarify by not opening presents all in one go, I mean at home after the party. Definitely don't open any at the party but with 50 odd presents it will be too much for your 5yr old in one go. Spread them out over the weekend.

Make sure any games are more of the What's the time Mr Wolf so they are all up and active. Avoid pass the parcel with a group that size. I have seen it done it with about 30, but that was with slightly older dc and having 2/3 different circles with a parcel in each, even so it took ages and a lot of overwrapping to make sure everyone had a turn.