help! what sort of party for 5 yr old on new year's eve!

[fungusmungus]

I'm completely stumped for party ideas this year. we are going to the theatre as a treat in the morning of new year's eve, but my daughter is desperate for a party and cake etc.... our house isnt massive, so room for about 6-8 kids, plus we thought we could offer early party tipple to parents to celebrate (lets face it, most of us with kids prob have new year at home anyway!)
What would you do? games/acitivities that keep kids fairly happy indoors as its bound to be freezing... - any and all suggestions gratefully received!

I like the 'early to bed' party for children on new years eve. They will be so grumpy at midnight and won't remember it so what's the point?

yes - good plan, we could set the clock for midnight and all pretend to celebrate new year at 5pm!!! like it!

Yes!! Honestly though, by 10pm they will be crying and miserable. I'd do a little sleep over party upstairs for them though with a DVD, plenty of hot chocolate and some sleeping bags. This way they can fall asleep if they are tired and they are all in one place so you won't lose any of them.

Is it her birthday?

And how many children does she want to invite? The early evening fixture sounds like a good plan. Could you turn a room into a "cinema" with lots of popcorn and show a nice film newly out on DVD ("How to Train Your Dragon"? - some fight scenes, but not scary and good uplifting ending). Have traditional party games up your sleeve if they need something more active.

yes - it's her birthday that day. We were thinking of having a tea party/early evening drinks and then waving everyone off as we dont have the room for lots of sleepovers(plus we have a 4month old!)- but I've never doen a party at home and so not sure what games to think about that'll keep them busy for a couple of hours!! I like the cinema idea... thanks for al your good ideas! :)

You could have some simple craft for them to do - a colour-in calendar may be?

And pass the parcel of course - with your recycled Christmas paper!

How about a few party music favourites - conga, birdy song, Superman, Okey Cokey?