First ever children's party this weekend (DD is 3) - please give me your tips

[aliceinlalaland]

Panicking a bit, I've possibly over-invited, there will be at least 15 kids and at least 25 adults, possibly more.

Have ordered some themed decorations to brighten up the church hall, enlisted some adults to help me blow up lots of balloons beforehand. Am going to order a cake today (I know, should have made one but I have just got too much on at the moment). Just putting in a massive tesco order including adult snacks etc

What else do I need to do and do you have any tips to help it run smoothly? What have you done in the past that has/hasn't worked? And in particular:

• party bags, do I have to do them for everyone babies included? how many things do people generally put in each one? what make good additions?
• food - do you have it out from the start and just let kids graze or have a specific time to eat?
• cake - end of party? And do they eat it then and there or take it home in their party bags?
• music - any ideas? we've got a few nursery rhyme CDs but they'll drive the adults mad if they're on for 2 whole hours

Thank you ladies.

I let the children play for a bit beofre I put party food out. Cake is usually done at the end and then cut up put in party bags - I think the reason is that it will be eaten properly at home and not wasted (hopefully). Balloons are always popular if you can face blowing them up. I usually try to blow up one per child and then just have them floating about in the hall.
Party bags are a bit of a nightmare - they cost so much and it is depressing to put in things that will go in the bin after five minutes. Tesco have quite a good selection of party bag fillers - or check out monster parties on the web - cheaper as you can order the exact numbers you need of each thing. They deliver within a day or two. I think things like mini notebooks and pencils are nice, chocolate coins, small bouncy balls, blowouts.

Oh - and don't forget to take a minute to stand back and look at the lovely party you've done for your DD - you'll feel really proud and it makes all the hard work worth it.

Good luck!

thanks that's really helpful - just browsing tesco's party selection now. Love the idea of ordering exact numbers but quite a few people haven't RSVP'd. Invited 5 kids from DDs nursery for example and have only heard from a couple.

By the way, I should add not all the kids are DDs 'friends' - the 15 (or more) includes siblings who are coming along as well...

For party bags I was thinking:

• bubbles
• slice of cake
• chocolate buttons (or raisins for the really young ones)
• blowout
• one other thing (have a few colour-in frames for the older kids but will try and find maybe wooden dice or something for the younger ones)

That's enough, right?

Sounds perfect - had forgotten about bubbles - always a favourite!