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Parties/celebrations

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Original poster

How to keep 20 kids entertained at family party?!

63 replies

dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 20:35

We're having a family celebration this summer.

I've just counted up max kids coming and it could run to over 20, which is basically a kids party alongside the adults party isn't it 😁

They're a mix of ages, from pre-school to a couple of teenagers. The adults include a fair few older people.

We're holding it at my brother's house. His garden is fairly big, I'm hoping the sun shines and the kids can play out there - however he doesn't have DC and so there aren't any toys at his. He's being very generous with offering his house for the party, but I am slightly nervous about the potential for the beautiful borders to get trampled on!

What toys / activities should I bring / buy to keep the DC entertained in the garden?

Preferably not something that needs close supervision (so not a blow up pool, for example).

Any suggestions gratefully received!

OP posts:
ReeseWitherfork · 05/06/2023 20:37

Just let the parents know there aren’t a lot of toys for the kids and they’ll bring some? I have three pre schoolers and would never go anywhere without a few bits for them. By the time they hit about 3/4, they’re pretty good at playing amongst themselves. Will they know the other kids?

NuffSaidSam · 05/06/2023 20:42

Giant Jenga and Connect Four are good fun for the older ones and difficult to cause too much damage with them.

Bubbles and balloons for the younger ones.

And I'd have a table with colouring and stickers for a bit of quiet time/any who aren't into running around.

Outside of that I'd expect parents to bring a few things for their child to play with.

If anyone has a big Duplo/magnatiles collection it might be good to bring a load of that because that keeps all ages busy for hours.

Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 21:14

The DC don't all know each other. Some of the older ones do, but most of them have only met ages ago, or not at all.

Giant Jenga and Connect 4 sound great - not causing a lot of damage is good

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Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 21:16

We're spending money on catering to make the day hassle free, so I could find a bit of money to spend on this too, potentially.

Maybe a chocolate fountain - or is that madness?! 😁 A friend had one at her garden wedding and the DC there looooved it. I was too merry to notice if it ended up in total devastation, though!

OP posts:
Flangeosaurus · 05/06/2023 21:18

If you’re happy to throw some money at it get a kids entertainer or a bouncy castle

arlequin · 05/06/2023 21:19

Bouncy castle!

dinoice · 05/06/2023 21:20

Bouncy castle absolutely. Check local hire places. Can kid a child and adult type one here for about 150 for day. Toddler but at front.

SeaToSki · 05/06/2023 21:23

Contact the parents of the teenagers and ask them if they want to earn some money babysitting/running kids activities

Get a couple of folding tables and a few chairs and do sticker books and coloring books. (These will work inside and out)

A few board and card games..Go Fish, Sorry etc, have big blankets or towels to sit on.

Some bubble blowing stuff, hula hoops, bouncy balls on elastics (nothing that can be lobbed into flowerbeds!)

Buy a big bag of sweeties for the teenagers to (bribe) give as prizes

If you really want to push the boat out do a pin the tail on the donkey, a pass the parcel and sleeping lions

If the invited teenagers dont want to help, see if you can hire a neighboring teenager as an activities coordinator!

Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 21:24

I'll have a think about it but I'm not sure if a bouncy castle is quite right for this event - too much supervision required and I know some of the adults won't be keen on it dominating the garden.

Maybe a very small one...

OP posts:
Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 21:27

One of the teenagers is mine and sadly, although I was babysitting at that age, shows zero inclination to look after little kids. Can't even leave him with his little sister as they fight! <sigh>

I don't know the other teenagers myself, I could ask...

OP posts:
SBAM · 05/06/2023 21:29

I think a bouncy castle might be a bit much. But bubbles, some small lightweight balls for ball games, maybe prepare a treasure hunt sheet to tick off with bugs or flowers, rope the teens into helping with the smaller ones if possible.
The parents might have things they can bring too - games like bingo, kerplunk or hungry hippos work from age 3 up, connect 4 can be tricky for under 5s, but giant Jenga is fun for everyone.

Whinge · 05/06/2023 21:29

I know some of the adults won't be keen on it dominating the garden.

If a bouncy castle would dominate the garden then i'm not sure you have enough space for the amount of guests. Keeping that many children entertained is going to be a challenge, especially with minimal supervision, at least a bouncy castle would provide a dedicated area for them to have fun.

Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 21:31

Kids tables / blankets with stuff for them to play with is a good shout, as is hula hoops and bubbles.

I have a kid's teepee, reckon I'll bring that...

I'm warming to the teenager idea - Some of the DC were quite boisterous last time I met them. Maybe they could do with some supervision / bribing!

OP posts:
OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 05/06/2023 21:32

Garden games like giant jenga as others have said. Bean bag toss game, giant space hoppers.

SeeingSpots · 05/06/2023 21:32

I understand your reluctance but in reality a bouncy castle seems the most logical solution as it will give them somewhere to go and is a novelty. Having balls, bubbles or games which many will have at home wouldn't be as exciting or engaging.

Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 21:36

Whinge · 05/06/2023 21:29

I know some of the adults won't be keen on it dominating the garden.

If a bouncy castle would dominate the garden then i'm not sure you have enough space for the amount of guests. Keeping that many children entertained is going to be a challenge, especially with minimal supervision, at least a bouncy castle would provide a dedicated area for them to have fun.

The garden is wide for a town house, but more importantly it's long. It's a mature garden with lots of stuff in it. The part with the lawn (so, where a bouncy castle would go) is at the house end.

Further down are small fruit trees and shrubs and the ground is playable on, but not lawn. No space for a large structure there. Plenty of space for the DC to play, though!

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Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 21:40

It's not a kids party, though. It's a family event that happens to have a lot of DC at it.

I will think about a bouncy castle, and I may suggest it, but I suspect it won't be a popular idea.

I imagine the adults would like to be in the garden too as it's a lovely space. It totally changes the atmosphere if there's a great big bouncy castle dominating it.

OP posts:
Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 21:58

Found Jenga on B&Q and also these, which I know my DC would like.

The arrows for the cross bow don't have points, so they'd be OK - wouldn't they?

How to keep 20 kids entertained at family party?!
How to keep 20 kids entertained at family party?!
How to keep 20 kids entertained at family party?!
OP posts:
CharlotteFlax · 05/06/2023 22:04

No!! Bows and arrows are not good for a family party! At least one of my three DC would take great delight in thinking of ways to injure themselves/their sibling/another guest with these "safe" arrows!

Get a bouncy castle.

SeeingSpots · 05/06/2023 22:08

dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 21:58

Found Jenga on B&Q and also these, which I know my DC would like.

The arrows for the cross bow don't have points, so they'd be OK - wouldn't they?

Gosh I'd absolutely avoid bows and arrows. I'd also avoid Jenga as wooden bricks when thrown will hurt!

The dominoes looks good but is unlikely to be played with by all the children as some will be too small to understand the concept.

I'd also avoid the space hoppers as the plants won't thank you for it when they inevitably get squashed.

It doesn't actually sounds like it's a great garden to entertain lots of children in to be honest, especially as it sounds like your brother is quite rightly round of how he's done his garden.

SeeingSpots · 05/06/2023 22:09

*proud not round.

SavBlancTonight · 05/06/2023 22:09

In my experience the kids just get on with it and play. Agree that a few games are useful if the house doesn't usually host kids. Twister is popular here on these days. A bouncy castle is a good shout too - not too big - and only the really little ones need supervision.

Also make kids drinks and snacks accessible as otherwise its endless requests.

arlequin · 05/06/2023 22:10

We have a narrow garden and hired this for 2YO birthday but would be fine for older

www.elliottsbouncycastlehire.co.uk/category/bouncy-castle-hire/9/under-the-sea-narrow-bouncy-castle-hire

Original poster
dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 22:11

OK, so I've suggested bouncy castle to my brother and it's been solidly vetoed. It's his garden so that's that. (Not sure if he really understands what he's getting into otherwise, but I can't help that!)

I take your point on the arrows Grin.

I see Argos have garden connect 4. I'm hoping if I get some pf the traditional games that some of the adults might want to join in too (e.g. connect 4. dominos, jenga), and that could work well, hat do you think?

OP posts:
SeeingSpots · 05/06/2023 22:14

dreamingoaholiday · 05/06/2023 22:11

OK, so I've suggested bouncy castle to my brother and it's been solidly vetoed. It's his garden so that's that. (Not sure if he really understands what he's getting into otherwise, but I can't help that!)

I take your point on the arrows Grin.

I see Argos have garden connect 4. I'm hoping if I get some pf the traditional games that some of the adults might want to join in too (e.g. connect 4. dominos, jenga), and that could work well, hat do you think?

If he's rejected the idea of a bouncy castle I'd put the ball firmly in his court and ask what he thinks will entertain the children. Yes he may get lucky and they may just get on with it and play but it's his garden that they will be unintentionally destroying whilst entertaining themselves.