Hall Party review and advice

[Hallmother]

NC
right daughters 5th bday this weekend, I have 30kids coming (what was I thinking), please tell me this sounds ok:

hall hired
(opted against games and a sit down food time due to the numbers)

2.30-5pm
bouncy castle
face painter
biscuit decorating- icing pens not messy icing
lots of balloons and music

buffet style food of pizza, cucumber & carrot sticks, packets of crisps, cupcakes, jugs of squash

for adults- processco or teas/coffees or just squash?

That's a long party with no formal sit-down meal and no formal entertainment like games or a clown. Can you call ppl and tell them it's going to be starting at 3.30 instead?

That is a very long time for a 5 year old's party!

An hour and a half party? The facepainter wouldn’t even get through half the kids- I thought 2 hours was normal- tbh the cake will blow out 30mins before the end, and then I’m cutting and people can trickle out in that last 30mins

Trouble is some people may drop and go (I did at that age) so won't be able to help the trickle at 4.30.

If it will take the face painter three hours to do 30 kids then you need a better face painter tbh. Trouble is, a 4yo won't bounce for two hours and that's what you're asking them to do. That's why I would make it shorter. Not all kids will want face paint anyway

Two hours is usual but ime 90 mins is a better bet, esp for 4-5yos

This sounds absolutely brilliant but only needs to be 90 mins tbh. (2hrs max).

If you can't change the times then it honestly will be fine and everyone will have fun....prosecco might be welcome if you can afford it but people won't expect it.
I think a few formal games or a sit down meal might help break it up a bit if you can face it but if not, everyone will chat and the kids will enjoy going wild for an afternoon!

what games could I do with 30kids?

I'd really try to give it all a bit of a focus otherwise it will drag and be very chaotic.

Can you do a couple of pass the parcels?

So everyone gathers at 4 to play pass the parcel for 15 minutes, then straight into food for 30 Minutes then cake, singing, party bags and home.

There's loads of ideas for games online.

Line up in 3/4 teams and pass a balloon without using hands
Duck duck goose
Musical statues
Musical bumps
What's the time Mr Wolf

Are parents staying? What time have you booked until? Not every child will want to do face-painting or biscuit decorating. Have games like sleeping lions, musical bumps for before cake.

Can you get a microphone or something? Much easier to get the attention of the kids for games if your voice is amplified. We have a Bluetooth karaoke speaker that is perfect for this. It'll be fine, but agree with PPs - a couple of structured moments will help energy levels! Good luck. Don't worry too much - kids birthday parties aren't meant to be fun for adults! 😂

Easy games for a big group like that are things like musical bumps/statues, corners, pass the parcel (in 2 groups of 15), some action songs are good too for getting everyone involved. Pin the tail on the donkey or whatever in a corner as an ongoing game rather than organising everyone to do it at once.

You can't just have them bouncing and then running riot fir two and a half hours. It will be chaos. Especially the buffet part.

There needs to be structure.

I’d ask some friends or some teenagers (were lucky to have lots at church) to help with games - pass the parcel, musical statues, sleeping lions etc - any standard kids games I thjnk!

I’d also do something crafty like making a crown so that was available for half the time and biscuit décorating for the other half.

Also, is there an outdoor space? It’s going to be hot here so you might need to think about ventilation!

Sounds fabulous well done for organising! We had one at age 5 very similar and I’m having one for an 8yo this weekend.(Safari Stu is coming).

5 y o is a great age I would have music on from the start let them all go mad on the bouncy castle whilst they have their faces painted. Then I would have a few games ( musical statues, pass the parcel - they still love that ! Or the chocolate game, or a piñata. Then the quieting down biscuit decorating and food and parents collect. Xxxxx
Good luck and plenty of squash as it’s gonna be hot! ☀️👍🏼

Ok I’m realising more structure- if I allow the first hour of free play, bring out the food (not a sit down but might encourage a food break) then 30mins of games ending in cake and go?

You should also plan for all the parents doing drop and go. Can you do everything if there isn't another adult there?

Yes that’s fine, I do think near on all parents will stay but if not it will be fine- I have a couple of non parent friends and family helping, I will station them at the entrance and exit to make sure no escapes and all ok

Will the kids be allowed on the bouncy castle after having their face paint? I've seen that rule before...

Have someone taking a list of names for face paint rather than queuing.

Yes, most hire companies will have this as a rule - no face painted kids allowed on.