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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

dd is having a party soon - help

37 replies

TheGoatofBitterness · 08/01/2008 19:52

hi, am inviting 11 kids and assuming half of them won't turn up. can i keep them amused with decorate your own hat/crown/pirate hat type thing and pass the parcel, random dancing to music and then food and cake? also what is the standard length for a 4 year old birthday party? thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
TheGoatofBitterness · 08/01/2008 20:31

pleeease!

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JackieNo · 08/01/2008 20:33

Keep it short - hour and a half is plenty. Are yo having it at home (don't if you can help it).

funnypeculiar · 08/01/2008 20:36

weelllll, have only been to a couple yet as ds' lot are just hitting 4.
First, I would warn you through that I invited 28 last year and 24 turned up
I reckon 2-2.5 hours is pretty normal.
Couple of games is probably enough (ie decorate hat plus pass the parcel. You could have 'musical bumps' as a back-up in case you think they need something else to do

Slouchy · 08/01/2008 20:36

You gonna be at home?

Couple of hours is usual IME.Think you will need to have more to do.

Hat decorating - allow 15 mins max - some will be bored after 5.Pass parcel - maybe 8 mins for 10 kids. Dancing -/musical bumps etc 10 mins max. Half an hour for food. That leaves a lot of time to fill.

Will think of some other things and post again.

Original poster
TheGoatofBitterness · 08/01/2008 20:36

thanks - we are having it at home [gulp]

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JackieNo · 08/01/2008 20:37

Two to two and a half hours may be normal, but if you're hosting it, believe me, an hour and a half is plenty! Hour for activities, half an hour for tea. And yes - assume they'll all come.

ChippyMinton · 08/01/2008 20:37

Don't assume half won't turn up, IME it can go either way, you may end up with extra siblings, parents may want to stay too.
Or and a half is plenty. Time it around a mealtime - 11.30-1.00 is a good slot, they won't be tired & crabby.

Original poster
TheGoatofBitterness · 08/01/2008 20:37

omg! slouchy. can't they just amuse themselves? i am really shite at this!

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foxythesnowman · 08/01/2008 20:38

Musical statues/musical bumps/pin the tail on the something
Keep food basic
Peronally I don't encourage parents to stay.
I think you need 3 adults, one to do games, one to do food/drinks and one to do toilet runs
If you are doing party bags, bubbles, sweets, ballon and a piece of cake.

How's that?

Original poster
TheGoatofBitterness · 08/01/2008 20:38

dh wants 2 hours tell him he is mad!

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JackieNo · 08/01/2008 20:39

Yes - was just about to add what ChippyMinton's said, unless you're happy to send all parents etc away, you'll have at least one, maybe 2 parents per child, plus possible extra siblings, making it (and I know what I'm talking about here) almost impossible to move in your house.

ChippyMinton · 08/01/2008 20:39

Girls will sit and do crafts, boys prefer to run around.

Original poster
TheGoatofBitterness · 08/01/2008 20:39

v. professional snowman. i am soooonot doing party bags. will i be cast out from society?

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foxythesnowman · 08/01/2008 20:39

Oh, plenty of balloons - they will come in and play with them straight away.

Original poster
TheGoatofBitterness · 08/01/2008 20:40

she is only inviting 2 boys one of which is off the dressing up in princess outfits school of boyhood and the other hopefully won't come.

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Original poster
TheGoatofBitterness · 08/01/2008 20:41

balloons - check

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foxythesnowman · 08/01/2008 20:41

I always say I'm not doing party bags, but give in. Last time (6 yo) I gave everyone an inflatable guitar (as found on here). Kids loved them.

Original poster
TheGoatofBitterness · 08/01/2008 20:42

thanks everyone - god i am more nervous than if it was my own party, i suppose i can rely on my own guests to be polite and not wee on the furniture.

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Slouchy · 08/01/2008 20:43

PIn the tail is good.
A treasure hunt - you can set this up well beforehand.
S;leeping lions ace for when your head can't take any more noise.
Another good 'quiet'activity is to put on a 5 min video (could be famous bit of a Disney movie), tell them to watch carefully then ask qu's - "What colour was the cat's bow tie?" type.

Musical bumps always good.

ChippyMinton · 08/01/2008 20:43

Good at few boys. Make it a princess theme? Apply v quick drying glittery nailpolish and body glitter, get them to pose for photos. Borrow a bubble machine and let them dance to cheesy music.

Slouchy · 08/01/2008 20:44

We are doing party in 2 weeks for 20 odd 3-5 year olds (Gulp). In church hall though/bouncy castle so fairly easy. We are not doing party bags, instead guests get a wrapped gift (wooden car/bracelet), a punch balloon and cake when they go.

foxythesnowman · 08/01/2008 20:45

Make sure you ask if anyone needs a wee at regular intervals.

time will fly.

A nice cold bottle of wine, with your name on it, waiting for you when it is all over

Slouchy · 08/01/2008 20:45

Ooh yes, bubble machine.Splendid.

Original poster
TheGoatofBitterness · 08/01/2008 20:46

even dh is excited by the bubble machine!

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JackieNo · 08/01/2008 20:46

Sounds good, Slouchy. I quite like party bags, not least because starting to hand them out signals very clearly that the party is ending and it's time to GO HOME NOW.