party for 7yos...help please, I am a novice and scared!

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I've finally summoned up the courage to have a party for ds, who is nearly 7.

We have made invitations and asked about 8 of his little friends, sadly didn't want to do the entire class, as I am already nervous enough!

Hoping at least 5 or 6 will be able to come. All boys btw,

we have a large garden, with climbing frame, slide, swings...I've got him a tent which we hope to put up on the day, for them to play with...I'm trying to figure out how to do a decent treasure hunt as well. Obviously I will get a cake and some food in (it is a sunday morning - what do they need?)

I have done party bags already, it is my only forte!

Does anyone think we need more games. i am rubbish at doing games. I am hoping they will just amuse themselves tbh.

Also we have a section of the garden which houses the trampoline (12ft) and the chickens. It is fenced off, I don't know whether to allow trampoline use or not - is it too risky?

and what are we going to do if it rains - surely a DVD won't really cut it.

Please can anyone advise on these issues, I am terrified - pretty antisocial, and am worried enough about the parents judging us on our messy house. It'll take me 2 weeks to tidy up.

Thankyou

musical chairs, musical bumbs pass the parcel?

let them have have 30 mins running round shouting. that is pretty much what 7yr-old boys like best, IME
Then do drink and something quieter like pen/paper - design a monster, prize for scariest one (everyone gets a sweet or something)

Then do Happy Birthday singing and cake cutting, seriously, as soon as you get them to sit down for party food. That way they don't mess about and run off as soon as they have finished eating and you get a nice pic. You can then be cutting up cake while they eat.
then do treasure hunt. Then hopefully parents come....

I would deffo say NO to trampoline. it will end in tears!

if it rains, do popcorn and a dvd.

Thankyou for the ideas...they are great.

Ellie do you reckon we'd get away with a DVD? I'd feel like I was cheating! Still, we could do pass the parcel indoors, and musical chairs...that is fairly easy isn't it.
I have a feeling they will be more interested in ds's lego than anything else, anyway.

I love the design a monster idea!

will the parents want to stay - do I need wine? I don't drink, myself. I have tea here

Thankyou, that also sounds great - and thanks for the link.

It is sounding much easier already

I think I might take the trampoline down, for the time being. That will clear up any doubts! Also I really, really don't want someone getting injured, despite being next door to A&E

I think you're meant to do one at a time on the trampoline and this won't be easy for a party of boys...not much point, if they have to take turns! Although it is tempting in a lazy parenting kind of way...mine both adore it.

we went to a party with 6 year old boys recently and they had an egg and spoon assault course in the garden for one of the games.

run past the flower pot, through the tesco value single duvet cover that had the end cut off, over the swing touch the gate and back.

they were each timed with a prize for the winner they loved it.

ooh also if your son has cars buying a length of drainpipe from B&Q for £5.50 makes a fabulous ramp.

some parents may stay but IME, parents don't over the age of 5 unless they are friends of yours. Parents love a couple of hours to themselves
Put big red signs on trampoline saying NO!
have you got anyone to help with crowd control stuff on the day?

Ah, you mentioned lego!
That's a good idea if they all get too rowdy...spread big rug on floor, give them lego boxes and say ''10 minutes to build the best invention'' (offer bribe small prize for best)

Greyskull I love both those ideas! Especially the timed race thing...I'm sure we could sort out an assault course.

Ellie - lego is my fallback!

my parents have foolishly agreed to be here, but I imagine they will be doing random washing up and toddler minding.

We have one candidate who can't make it, but potentially 7 more who can! Will see...I am quite excited now.

You're right - it is only two hours. The worst that can happen is that someone gets injured in our slightly building-sitey garden, and the parents hate me and never speak to me again.

You can't beat Beaver Games here
Try and find some quiet ones.

Thankyou so much, everyone - got quite absorbed in the Beavers site

i'm not sure about food - probably some bowls of crisps, maybe a few sarnies for appearances' sake and definitely a cake.

Being Sunday morning they won't need a huge amount I suppose.

now the tidying of the house needs to start! I mowed the lawn yesterday, anyway. Got to start somewhere.!

sounds like you have got it all under control. I am having DD3 3rd birthday party at home next friday.... hopefully in the garden .I will do a sun dance for you if you do one for me! Have Fun and take lots of photos.

Ok will do! Hope it goes really well.

I had forgotten about photos. That will be lovely.

My friend always does outdoor parties for her DS and she gets a pinata every year. You have to supervise carefully (whacking box with big stick ) but the kids love it! And of course, the sweeties inside are an added bonus!

She also does a treasure hunt but you'd be amazed how happy they are just running around.

Have you thought about a scavenger hunt? - a list with normal outdoor things on it to find (a pebble, a feather, a particular colour of flower) and the first team back with the full collection wins the prize!