help with planning

[jetcat]

would anyone care to help me plan for my DDs 4th birthday in December please? I am rubbish not the best organiser, and previous parties have always resorted to the soft play. This year, as she wants to invite all her nursery class as well as other friends, i fear that would be too expensive anyway.

So, i know i need to hire a hall. I am thinking a bouncy castle - but as it is so close to xmas, it will need to be inside. As for party ware, i would prefer the plastic tableware, so that it can be re-used

And thats about as far as i have got really

Please someone help me, as i am going crazy looking at all the hundreds of pages that google keep throwing at me

Find bouncy castle first - they usually know which halls can accommodate it and then just book. Worry about the rest nearer the time. If there's a bouncy castle, you won't need many games - just one or two. Could have a few other toys out to play with - e.g. train set, dolls house, dressing up. Let them charge about - have a pass the parcel or something, then tea then charge about again. Balloons scattered about too. Could have some craft type thing going on as well for the quieter ones - we cut out a load of paper crowns then had loads of stickers to decorate them. Then give out invites about 3 weeks before. Rope in another mum to help if you can. Plastic tableware - if you're anywhere near Ikea they have great plastic tableware - at least they did the last time I was there. Hope it goes well.

thanks muffint - i didnt think anyone was going to reply

Good idea re bouncy castle knowing which halls can accomodate DD is set on a fancy dress party, although i am not sure how well a cinderalla dress will hold up on the bouncy castle

I did think of doing a craft item instead of a party bag (a tip i picked up from here) - and as its so near xmas, i thought maybe a xmas book mark, gift bag or something. I will look into that.

And many thanks for the ikea tip - any excuse to visit my fave shop

Food wise, i have been browsing the M & S site, and i think i will go with their food ordering, so much simpler. Would it be too naff to have a little table for some adult food? I really like the look of some of the food, but not really for kids

I'd do:

first half hour- people arrive, craft activity out, taking turns on bouncy castle

second half hour - some party games. Finishing with lazy lions. Tell them they can get up when you tap their shoulder and go and sit at food table.

Third half hour - food and cake

fourth half hour - free play / bouncing on castle.

Make sure you have someone on bouncy castle supervision duty!

Have fun :)

Oh and Yellow Moon are good for craft stuff that looks good but isn't too messy or expensive.
I normally put out some colouring in as well

Sounds great, especially bit about adult food table. We usually end up eating the leftovers after so I think that would be lovely. And fancy dress and bouncy castle is fine - we went to one for 4 year olds a few months ago - boys all dressed as superhero/spiderman type things and wrestled for most of party. Hope it goes well.

thanks guys. Will do some ringing around tomorrow, and get the ball started