Tell me what you have done for your kids birthdays (attempting to save some doe!)

[northerner]

Quite willing to hire a hall and do food myself. It's the entertainment that bothers me. Did bouncy castle when he was 3, last year for 4th we had it at home (never again ).

Looked into magician and it is too expensive.

He'll be 5 and the guests will be mostle 4/5 year old boys, about 25 of them.......

Thanks

If you want to pinch pennys can you do it at home?

Had shrek themed party when DS was 5 so - hired hall, everyone came dressed as a character from shrek - lots to choose from so pretty easy, knights fairies etc. I did printouts from DVD to colour in as a warm up activity, pin the tail on donkey, using pic of donkey from Shrek, face painting, making Shrek/donkey ears - also a print off from the DVD - all this going on at the same time so no waiting around for a turn (And a few fab mates to supervise the various activities). then trad party games, pass the parcel, musical bumps/statues/islands (pieces of paper w Shrek printed on) Various team games - jigsaws hidden round the room - each team find their pieces and complete jigsaw (yes Shrek ones again from the DVD) , over and under legs with balloon, passing orange down the line with the chin etc.

I always end a party with singing - hokey cokey and suchlike - no equipment needed so DH/friends can be clearing up while you do it.

one tip - make stickers with children's names on, so all adults can address child by their name - much easier for DH/other adults.

Any use?

Some good ideas there panda. Thanks.

What about organising team games/relay races - climbing through hoops/under chairs/doing things with balls that kind of thing - then you only have 1 from each team running like a maniac at any time (hopefully!)

Could you do an indoor soccer match. You could put your DH in charge.

We did an olympics party once, which might work for that age group. We had various sporting "contests" including air hockey, ping pong, running races, all sorts going on (had a few friends to help) then ended with a game of football and one of cricket. Medals for everybody and a Sportsmans tea of sarnies, drinks in sports bottles (water or juice), football shaped crisps, strawberries, cake. They kept the sports bottles instead of doing party bags and all got a flag.

We are doing axactly same format for DD's 5th birthday as we did last year for her 4th, and at same venue,

Hired large sports hall, with sperate room and kitchen
Bouncy castle in one corner of hall
Disco in another corner
Play parachute thing and balloons opposite craft table
Craft table with glueing/sticking stuff further down.
Football nets and soft balls are far end
Food done in food boxes (for sandwich and drink choices in advnace with RSVPs)
Ate food on picnic blankets midway through party
No party games - might do pass the parcel this year
Food and drinks for grown ups in 2nd room
Books for party bags - having printed cups this year I think as I can get them done cheaply at the prison

One activity I may have this year will be rigth at the start as they arrive. Going to get them to sit down and draw a self porttrait and write their name on a small piece of paper. Will then take a photo of each child. Will use these to make a guest book for DD to keep.

Just a suggestion which may be total pants but maybe have a look on the Scouts/Cubs/Beavers web site.
I personally have not looked at it as I'm involved in running a Rainbows pack (mini-brownies 5-7 years), and the Girl Guiding web site is full of ideas of games/fun stuff to do on the cheap in a hall. I imagine the scouting movements web site would be much the same.
I can easily fill up an hour with running around games, silly songs and them giving them pizza, coke and a chocolate roll at the end (the food is only on special occasions of course, Guiding Leaders certainly aren't that indulgent all the time!!!).
If the boys aren't involved in Beavers yet I'm sure they would still love the challenge of learning some new games.
Hope that helps.