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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

Please help - 15 4yr olds AT HOME starting to PANIC!

8 replies

Zippy1001 · 17/12/2013 14:23

Has anyone out there done something similar & survived...?! I honestly didn't expect everyone to be able to come with it being so close to Christmas but they all can. So now I have 15 x 4 year old children (including my DS) and I think around 10 adults - & only a normal sized house! Next year I will get organised and hire a hall or something but it's too late for that now. Anyway, if anyone else has been mad enough to do this and has any words of wisdom please comment, am looking to calm my nerves as it is in in 2 days time...

Does this sound like it will work as a rough plan for a 90 min party (obviously I won't force them to join in, happy for some kids just to go off and play in play room if they'd prefer). Most of the action will be in the living room & we'll move some furniture into garage so it will be clear

15 MINS - arrival, music on and decorating party hats or crowns (got stick on jewels & loads of other stickers ready)

20 MINS - couple of party games (pass the parcel with little treat in each layer for this age group!), musical statutes etc.

10 MINS - easy treasure hunt all over house, v simple as they are only 4 but they can roam about a bit & everyone will get a small prize

20 MINS - sit down to eat and do birthday cake/singing in kitchen area. Have got kids tables and 15 small chairs for them (can just about squeeze them all in!) & will do food in party boxes so that will all be set up ready in advance

10 MINS - back to main room for dancing and playing with balloons

FINAL 10-15 MINS - surprise visit from Santa who will dish out the party bags (aka Daddy who won't actually be at the party until this end bit - borrowing a a pretty decent outfit so they might not twig it's him...!)

OP posts:
janeyjampot · 17/12/2013 14:38

I made the same mistake once. We were new to the area and we ended up with most of playgroup in the house. No parents stayed and we didn't have a clue who the children were!

Your timetable looks good. I think you might regret letting them roam all over your house though!

I'd ask an adult to look after the other adults too - to make drinks etc. Otherwise you'll find chaos has broken out while you were waiting for the kettle to boil.

Good luck!

isitsnowingyet · 17/12/2013 14:45

Wow - you sound very organised with the timetable. I had 30 (!) 5/6/7 year olds to my DDs party and wasn't as organised to have a timetable but did have lots of party games to play. We did have some activities out in the garden though which helped.

I'm sure it will be fun - enjoy and have a big Wine after!

Smallinthesmoke · 17/12/2013 14:45

My tip is to be organised on the way in. Decide where coats and shoes are going as 25 people trying to find their coats and shoes is a nightmare at the end! Put on a double bed and arrange shoes neatly. Also make the last 15 mins finding your hat/crown (get them to label them with name otherwise it will be bedlam) for a group photo. Personally I suspect your timetable is a bit over ambitious but no harm in having lots of ideas up your sleeves.
And wine. Wine for the adults. Essential.
Hope it goes well!

CaptainSweatPants · 17/12/2013 14:48

Do you really want 15 four year olds rampaging all over your house looking for treasure??
I'd keep upstairs out of bounds otherwise they'll be in your ds' room wreaking havoc with his toys

If you've got a downstairs loo I'd put a stair gate up & have upstairs blocked off

CaptainSweatPants · 17/12/2013 14:50

Oh don't offer wine
It's a kids party!
If you offer wine some people won't leave Grin

Zippy1001 · 17/12/2013 14:52

Thanks janeyjampot. Good point - hadn't thought about the adults but will rope someone into helping. Might keep some of the parents in the kitchen giving me more space in living room (and reducing my embarrassment as I try to be party organiser!).

Stress of it not helped by the fact that I'm in work 3 days this week and we are setting off at 8am the morning after the party for a 6 hr drive to see in-laws with our 2 children...!

OP posts:
Zippy1001 · 17/12/2013 14:56

Thanks so much for the responses guys - really appreciate it as this is my first MN post & you are helping to calm me down from state of panic! Great point about coats & shoes, hadn't thought of that at all.

And must make sure I've got some wine in the fridge ready to drink as soon as it is all over!!!

OP posts:
Topcat74 · 02/01/2014 22:51

How did it go? I just found this post as I have a party next week (only for seven 4 year olds though, but a few younger siblings too who will no doubt join in) and I also am panicking about having a party in the house. The pressure to entertain! Hope your party went well, and any hints/tips would be much appreciated!! Thanks.

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