I've finally managed to get onto the computer (rarely use it as tend to MN on my phone, but i hate writing long posts on my phone as they tend to be riddled with typos).
Thanks for the welcomes. I've already picked up some tips from this and the previous thread. i've never done a proper party before but do enjoy entertaining and baking and have plenty of time on my hands as am on maternity leave at the mo (hurrah!).
DS will be 4 and i'm planning to invite about 12 or so children. most will be about 4 but there will be a couple of 2.5yo and a couple nearly 6yo. Plan is to have the party at home as long as the weather is ok, as the garden is a decent size and we have a large (and tidy!) garage and a conservatory which could all be used. Not so keen on the thought of so many small children in the house if the weather is crappy, so might try to book the village hall or if possible just see if i can reserve it and decide whether to use it much nearer the time. it only costs £9 ph to hire so not a big problem to book at and then not use it if the weather's nice.
I haven't put too much thought into the activities yet. i think that if we end up indoors we'll want more party games, but if we can be outside they'll be happy to run around the garden and go on bikes and ride-ons etc (based on what i've seen at similar parties).
My thoughts so far (in no particular order!) are:
- a few party games (pass the parcel, musical bumps, maybe one other)
- a craft activity - am thinking of getting some of those shields from baker ross that they can decorate. Does anyone know if crayola washable pens would work on them? would also get some stickers etc for decorating them.
- DS is getting a trampoline for his birthday (a fews days before the party) so that will be in the garden too, plus bikes and ride on tractors etc (not consistent with the knight them, but i don't suppose 4 year olds will care!)
- My sister is trying to persuade me to hire a bouncy castle as she did last year and i know they are a big hit and it would be quite 'knightly', but am a bit worried that if someone gets injured i might get sued (silly i know, i might look into it further)
- after they've had a party tea i plan to give them either foam or inflatable swords (anyone know which would work better?) to use to bash a dragon pinata, and also to do some sort of relay race (blatantly copied from some of the ideas suggested by Stealth on this thread)
Re the cake, i'm planning to make a castle using either a 10 or 12 inch square base. Stealth - you posted a recipe for a chocolate cake back in november and said you could provide quantities for scaling up if needed - please could you let me have this when you have a moment? (also if you have the cooking time for the scaled up recipe if you have it?). Thanks in anticipation.
I was planning to put a candle on each turret as has been suggested and wondered if it's possible to buy flag shaped candles. have googled and only come up with union jack ones, whereas i wanted triangular ones if poss. i don't suppose anyone knows of anywhere that might sell these?
I'm planning to cover the cake in pale chocolate buttercream i think, with windows and other detail made from icing and stuck on. do you think this would ok or a bit crappy? alternative is to cover in fondant icing (i just struggle with making square cakes look neat) or alternatively do something similar to Stealth's brilliant castle cake with stone effect walls.
Anyway, this post is far too long already so i'll stop now but i think i may have more questions once i've given it all some more thought!