Party schedule 4 & 5 year olds

[Gks]

The party will be at 2-4pm. There will be a bouncy castle & slide, giant lego blocks, giant snakes and ladders, balloons and some of those didi cars for 20 children. I was also thinking about putting some puzzles out and a game like crocodile dentist or something if any of them need some quiet time.

Not everybody will arrive at exactly 2pm so how long should I leave them to play before sitting down for food? I was thinking of cutting the cake just before food so it can be sliced up and put into little boxes to take away but if anybody does want it then I am happy to serve it up to them then as well.

Start some games about 2.15 - pass the parcel, musical statues, Simon says etc

From 2.30 - 3.15 let them riot

Then feed them

Clean up, open wine

I wasn't going to do games as I figured they would all run to the castle and games!

You need to have some games ready. Kids that age can get bored very quickly, or very silly very quickly. Organised games will help calm things down.
Switch off the bouncy castle when you want them to eat
Pass the parcel for after food, rather than them charging around or throwing up on the bouncy castle.

I agree about having some games ready, you'll need something to entertain the kids with is you need more time for preparations or someone would be running late. You can also make and play them a birthday themed slideshow with music for while everyone is coming up and the majority of kids isn't there yet, but later
you'll need to start with some games.

They will need some organised fun and someone in charge otherwise it will be utter chaos. You need to keep it organised chaos!

You dont need games, you have all the play stuff. Let them run riot for 45 mins, then do cake and food, then run riot again

When we’ve done soft play type parties (at venues) they’ve generally allowed 1h15 min play, then 45 min for food and cake and this seemed to work well

Thanks. That's what I have in mind. I will have some games in mind in though in case it becomes! Perhaps sleeping lions just before food!

That message was so poorly written! I will have some games in mind if it becomes chaos, but up to 1hr 15 of play is what I have in mind