Party at the Park

[baby0684]

My son had his party at the park last year, and it was fabulous. But the whole time I was petrified that it would rain.

I dont want to be stressing as much this year, so trying to prepare early. Can hire the hall that is next to park, but its £50, and if we dont use it its a waste of money.

I can hire a different hall for cheaper, and maybe hire a bouncy castle (would probably have to hire 2, 1 for small children, and one for older children).

I prefer to do parties myself (in more control).

What else could I do? There will be approx 30 children, ranging from birth to 10 years, most of them will be around 3/4 years.

Sounds like you're after a "traditional" party?
Castles as the children arrive

Deflate the castles when you want to play party games (less noise and less distraction)
Musical statues
Pass the parcel
Musical bumps

There is NOTHING wrong with having the castles up for an hour. It is NOT lazy, it is allowing the children to play Supply a LOT of water, play music and let the children loose.

Then turn the castles off, play musical statues and each time a child is "out" send them to eat (stops food table getting swamped too quickly)

DONT reinflate castles until after food and you are ready for them to get back on. Perhaps have a quieter game for the fast eaters like points of contact (posted about this in an earlier thread)

Then sleeping lions

Pass the parcel

Then castles again.

Relax!!!