How many is too many for a 4th birthday party?

[wyemummy]

I’m planning DS’s 4th birthday party, which will be his first thanks to Covid. I’ve booked bouncy castle/soft play at the leisure centre with no restriction on numbers. DS is at two preschools plus other friends so if we invite everyone it’s going to be about 20-25 children.
Is it assumed siblings aren’t invited? And should I just invite all class members from both preschools? And should I put a note on the invitations to ask parents to stay as I will be 8 months pregnant and really don’t want to be supervising other people’s children
And the dreaded party bags…
Thanks all for advice, my social skills are feeling a bit rusty post-Covid and we’re only just beginning to be invited to parties again so I don’t have much of a benchmark

You'll have to be VERY clear that there are no siblings invited.

Otherwise you'll end up with half a dozen extra kids of the wrong age there... Like some boisterous 7yo, or a wee little 18m!!

Age 4 parents will stay IME.
Expect a few people to ask if they can bring siblings, especially younger ones.

With this in mind, plan your numbers on the basis for every child there will be an adult & maybe 5 extras?

Party bags - bit of cake, haribo and one thing, don't go nuts. At today's party they did fairy cakes instead of a big cake which worked well - they were pre-boxed so no faffing.