5 yr old's birthday party - cheap as possible for a potential 15 guests plus parents WWYD for it?

[Alambil]

an entertainer?

out somewhere? (not kidzone - every other child has done that so far in his class!)

a DIY one?

bouncy castle?

err....running low on ideas due to severe financial restraints - any help much appreciated

do you have to have so many? why not invite half that many and have at your place at home?

cos he hasn't made proper friends at school yet, so I'd find it nigh on impossible to exclude so-n-so; tis easier to do this yr with the whole class (which, incidentally is only half the class - the other half come in January) and then next yr, do a "friends only" party.

Or is that just a bit OTT - it seems everyone else has done the "whole class" idea this yr for the same reasons... will be very rude of me not to aswell I think ... in a quandry

So what's the budget?

we ar eding a small party for dd's 6th birthdya-, ther are just 5 plus dd. you have to draw the line somethere, I hate all these large 'invite the whle class' type of affairs. I tink they are all a bitg ott

I think £100 = hoping my parents will help out!

such hard work, all this planning... I hate it!

lidl have party invites, cups, plates and paper napkins at 79p a pack (8 in a pack i think), disney mostly

Get to the nearest pound shop for party bag presents and prizes.

Boy or girl?

bouncy castle, hot dogs and icecream.

Did that for years! Kids loved it. No party bags!

boy... I'm wondering on doing a "hire the hall and have games" type party but I am hopeless at doing the games bit... would much rather someone else do it!

it's not going to happen is it!! I can just see it now - party disaster or me winding up bankrupt!

If you have a garden I would definitely recommend a bouncy castle. If you have £100 you may be able to afford 15 children at a soft play centre. They will need to bounce around, they will not want to do craft activities or games unless run by a very experienced professional.

cheapest party is games in your house plus food, costs as little as £50.

Next cheapest is as above but in a hall, hall hire probably £30+ depending on where you live. Advantage is that you have more space and no mess in the house.

The more kids you have, the mor party bags/food, so keep numbers low.

If you want games ideas I have plenty. IME 5yo like a party with games - pirate theme dgames went down very well at DS2's party and he was only 4.

E-mail me if you want some cheap (but good) party bag fillers.
fletch54 at tiscali dot co dot uk

DS's friend did a lucky dip instead of party bags.
Cardboard box filled with shredded paper, and various bulky but cheap items wrapped in paper hidden inside (eg 2-for-a-pound plastic trucks wrapped separately). No money spent on bags which are thrown away as soon as you get home, and much less per head on prizes. One dip and a balloon each. Was very popular indeed.

well, I have decided to not have a cheap party

It isn't too expensive, but is at a local forest / woods and is absolutely brilliant - DS will love it!!

Thanks for the ideas though I am just relieved it isn't at softplay like the othe 4 kids so far!

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