Help me! Absolutely shitting myself at holding 4th b-day party tomorrow - any other ideas?

[EggsOvaryZee]

First time I'm holding a b-day 'party'. I am super excited, but really, more nervous about the whole thing. Having about twelve 4 yr olds at our house. I won't know most of the mums since they are DS pals from nursery. Think have got tea sorted - took hints and tips off here. Oh, except - should I have sweet and savoury on table at the same time....or put out savoury and hope they'll munch that before bringing out the other stuff?

Will cut cake but prob give it when kids go home along with a wrapped pack of crayons -not doing 'bags'.

But the games? How best to organise these? Do I demand they all sit and take part?! Can I just let some of them get on with it if they want to wander off and play? We've got a msall house, though have a freezing conservatory but am hoping to heat that and have it all open...

Was going to do pass the parcel (can't imagine how badly that might go with 12 players! But a small wrapped gift and choc coin for each layer), pin tail on the donkey (5 medals for the 5 closets?!) and musical statues (crappy cute little gift for each partici-ant). Will this fill an hour and a half?!

Any ideas or things I might not have thought of? Got biscuits and mulled iwne for adults - am I really going to be expected to provide anything else?!
I have nothing to base anything on since we've never been to one of his mates form nursery's house party only orgainsed play cafe things...!

It sounds like it will be a fun party.
You won't be able to force them all to join your games, but most of them will probably want to. Be really enthusiastic when you introduce them to make the games sound really fun.
To your musical statues you can also add musical bumps. I also play musical cushions rather than musical chairs. (Let dangerous and takes up less space.) However, I find that such young children enjoy the participation more than the winning and get upset by losing, so it isn't necessary to remove cushions and choose winners. They just like playing.

I also found it the same with pin the tail on the donkey. They seem to like playing and enjoy the funny picture it makes when the get it wrong. I don't choose a winner.

It's a good idea to put out the savoury stuff first, but they will undoubtedly be more enthusiastic about the cake and sweets!

If it's a tea time party don't worry too much about the parents. Biscuits, mulled wine and tea/coffee sounds great.

1 1/2 hours will go quite fast so don't worry. Just follow your instincts!!
Good luck!

Great ideas. Pass the parcel is a great time filler. I'd ask whoever's doing the music to stop it frequently and keep an eye on the children to make sure everyone has a turn, otherwise it can turn into meltdown.

Maybe have an activity they can be doing as they're all arriving, like making paper party hats out of wrapping paper, just so they're not milling around waiting for late comers.

If you need a few more good games to fill time, try musical statues, Simon Says, where's cuddly (hide a cuddly toy in a room and get them to hunt for it.) Also, can be good to end with dead lions before tea to calm them down. They all lie on the ground without moving, eyes closed, and you walk around trying to get them to giggle or wriggle by tickling toes or making a silly noise. Last one left calm wins a small toy. As they get called out they can go and wash hands for tea.

oops, posted too soon. Meant to say good luck. Have a great time. Hope it goes really well.