How do you manage children's parties?

[DumbledoresGirl]

Specifically, how do you seat children for the meal? I have a dining room table that at a pinch seats 8 children. Also a kitchen table but not really the space for both tables to go together.

DD wants to invite 10 ish people to party (actually, it was 10, then 11 , now realised she has missed 2 people off so maybe 13 - Actually maybe none as I am so mad at her for constantly changing her mind I told her this morning the party was off ) But assuming I calm down and she invites these people, and they all accept, or even most of them accept, how do I seat them all? Bear in mind that I also have 4 children of my own who will be part of the party.

You can't all use church halls for your parties and you can't all have baronial halls and tables to seat 30, so what do you do?

Please don't tell me to let them have a buffet or sit on the floor. I need to have them in some sort of order. They will be 5/6 BTW.

I have spoken to dd and she is limiting her numbers to 8 , of whom, hopefully only 6 will accept. With dd and ds3, that would make 8 and I have worked out if I make my dining room table really small, I can fit the kitchen table in the room (just) and can probably fit 10 around.

I hope dd doesn't want a party next year and then I will only have ds3 to do parties for. I really hate them!

I have used a wallpaper table in the past & covered it with a party tablecloth. They all knelt around it to eat, so didn't need chairs.

Thinking about it, it isn't really the table space I am lacking, but the room to put all the table in together.

I've always been told, invite the same number of children as the age of the child. Never stick to it, but it's an interesting thought! We've had picnics in the garden, or just crammed them all round the kitchen table - we can fit 10 at a real push (and it IS a real push!), but at least they're all sat down.

Hope the party goes well!

Oh, DG... that experience sounds horrible (your ds1's party, I mean) and I understand why you want to impose order. Sorry... wasn't meaning at all that you should let the little sods just run riot. I suppose I was just thinking of myself... I do have control freakish tendencies, but I try to keep them in check on party day and let things go as far as possible, in the interests of an easier life. But it sounds as if I've been lucky so far (also have good friends who always stay and help keep things on an even keel). Good luck with the party, anyway.

I hire the community hall accross the road £20/£30 definatly worth it.

It is amazing how many you can squeeze around a table little bottoms will sit 2 on a chair. Cheap stools can be had at Ikea.

Buffet is not to bad an idea, all the chairs around the edge of the room and you help kids fill boxes with what they like or pre-fill them, cartons excellent idea as cups and bottles always get knocked over. You can get food holders that will hold the juice too. like \link{http://www.partybox.co.uk/details.asp?product=977\this}.

I would take control right from the start and don't be scared to tell them a few basic house rules, many kids are used to running riot in a soft play centre and aren't as used to tea parties as we once were. Be very clear about where the toilet is which rooms are in use and what is not allowed. Try and make sure you have a least 1 other adult helper, if you are busy getting food out or comforting a child it can get out of hand.

Have a few calmer sit down games in mind if its all getting out of hand gather them together and play something quieter.

what's wrong with sitting on the floor? I have done this for dd1's 3rd and 4th birthday, about 10 for each one. Big picnic rug underneath, drink boxes for all and food in middle - one year had paper boxes with food inside.
hope yoiur party goes well!