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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.

Original poster

Sooooooooooo I invited 26 four year olds to dd2's party, fully expecting to have at least 5 cancellations...

42 replies

emkana · 15/09/2007 20:08

... and of course they are now all bl*dy coming! So including the dd's that will be 28 children! What do I do with them? I haven't got an entertainer.

What I have is

a church hall with some trikes, scooters, a roundabout thingy and a big slide in it

some paper crowns to decorate

a rubbish stereo to play music on

What can I do to keep them going? I find musical statues never really works that well, or does it? What else can I play other than pass the parcel?

HELP (It's fancy dress btw)

OP posts:
stitch · 15/09/2007 20:09

musical bumps

Cammelia · 15/09/2007 20:10

Get an entertainer quick

brimfull · 15/09/2007 20:10

Have you tried to get an entertainer?....try again.

How long have you hot them for?

CarGirl · 15/09/2007 20:10

pass a bag of clothes/accessories around when the music stops they put an item on - prize for the silliest looking at the end. Perhaps have 3 bags of stuff with such big numbers

team games with balloons?

brimfull · 15/09/2007 20:11

at 4 organised games are a bit of a mare,too young to listen and pay attention,loads won;t want to do it.

Would really recommend an entertainer.

Original poster
emkana · 15/09/2007 20:12

I can't afford an entertainer.

Party is for 2 hours.

Team games with balloons - good, examples?

OP posts:
Cammelia · 15/09/2007 20:12

Get a magician

wheresthehamster · 15/09/2007 20:14

bouncy castle?

sunshinegirl · 15/09/2007 20:15

If you have any outdoor space you could do a treasure hunt for small presents. Did this at friends dd's party last wk and it worked well whilst taking up some time!

brimfull · 15/09/2007 20:16

some great threads in archives

here

Cammelia · 15/09/2007 20:17

Iresumably the party tea will take up at laest half an hour?

cazzybabs · 15/09/2007 20:19

Parachute games.

Can you set up tables and let them wonder from table to table doing things.

Decorated biscuits/cup cakes

Make a sandwhich

Make a party bag

Make a party crown

Play musical statues but don't get anyone else (that way you don't have to cope with the ones that get out being bored)

Pass the parcel

Water tray???

Oh yes treasure hunt good

I hate bloody parties!

Original poster
emkana · 15/09/2007 20:22

V. good idea about the parachute!

Can't face biscuit/sandwich making, too much mess involved.

OP posts:
BeetrootBevan · 15/09/2007 20:24

drama games?

cazzybabs · 15/09/2007 20:25

Biscuits is a doddle - we put out paper plates for the biscuits to go on and bought some sqeezy icing and some smarties and sprinkles. Hardly any mess on the floor or on eahc child. I can drag out parties for at least 45 minutes with parachute games and they love it!

Original poster
emkana · 15/09/2007 20:29

Ooooooooh please please could you give me ideas what exaclty to do with the parachute?

(Might try the biscuits)

OP posts:
Nbg · 15/09/2007 20:34

Could you do face painting?

Not all of them will want it and you can pick up cheap face paint sets from Tescos.

Anchovy · 15/09/2007 20:38

I can help here. Let me go and find my thread re extraordinarily cheap and v absorbing party activity.

here it is

DD is 4 v soon and with younger children I might draw round a few things so they have a bit to colour in as well as free form drawing.

cazzybabs · 15/09/2007 20:39

OK - I am not an expert bound to be other people on here who know more than me:

(1) get them used to holding it and moving it. Put a ball on - can they stop the ball falling off? Then get 1 side to try and get if off the other side, whilst the 2nd side try and keep it on their side and get it off the other side.

(2) Hide some things under the parachute - choose 4 children to go and get objects. Put them back and then get more children to go and get them.

(3) Everyone holding a red segment change places by going under the parachute or anyone with a younger brother etc

(4) Sit on the floor and holding the parachute sing row row the boat rocking back and forth.

I know others but they are maybe a little small - I do have book. I will go and find it and get back to you.

Original poster
emkana · 15/09/2007 20:44

anchovy - sounds great

cazzybabs - thank you very much

feeling more hopeful now!!!

OP posts:
southeatsastras · 15/09/2007 20:46

get them to do the okey cokey and play duck duck goose alot

cazzybabs · 15/09/2007 20:46

Yes to anchovery - great idea. Also buckets of water and paint brushes to paint outside.

Cammelia · 15/09/2007 20:49

Painting? Are you sure?

WideWebWitch · 15/09/2007 20:50

bouncy castle, sorted.

southeatsastras · 15/09/2007 20:57

at that age you'll have to organise them a bit. lots of games goes down well. then maybe half a hour of making hats. then more games