How to keep 20 kids entertained at family party?!

[dreamingoaholiday]

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!

It's such a range of ages (and personalities), I think it's probably a case of finding a few things that appeal to different ages, rather than trying to find something that everyone will like?

Giant Jenga, dominoes and connect 4 - brilliant. We also got an inflatable hoopla thing cheap last spring and it was great fun.
Bow and arrows I'd probably avoid.

You could do some kind of scavenger hunt? Print clues or worksheets, small prize when they've completed it.

Colouring in and drawing station. Some ride on toys.

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

Hire an outdoor cinema screen down the bottom of the garden? You can get some which have a silent disco type set up so the whole world doesn’t have to listen to it. Or an actual silent disco, my kids would love that! Kids disco area with drinks and snacks as far down the garden as possible, teenagers to do glitter tattoos and face paints/face gems, couple of supervised games

Would the teens be up for doing treasure hunts round the garden (maybe the bit furthest from the adults 😂) for the kids? Can keep it simple and just hunt for plastic bugs or toys you already have or go for clues - and then the kids can try and create their own too. Could take up a bit of time/energy

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.

It's not the easiest! There is a decent sized lawn, but it has borders and veg patches at the edges that my brother won't want trampled (or balls kicked on), which is why it needs some thought.

It's a nice space though - my DC love it. And it's what we have. It's a pretty long garden, lots of space to explore and the bottom section with the trees is a bit more rustic / less manicured and so less easily damaged.

There's also a puddle miniscule pond - too small for anyone to drown in without trying really hard - it's about the size of a washing up bowl - I'm more worried about the inhabitants of the pond surviving the party. We may need to think about that. (Chicken wire or similar over it, maybe?)

A surprise hit at a big party we organised was craft. We got kits from Baker Ross - they come with everything you need (or at least some of them do - check the descriptions). We avoided any that needed glue or scissors. You'd need a table for them. I reckon they'd appeal to 4-10 years olds, and give a (relatively) calm, quiet option if running around is getting a bit much.

What would his view on the inside being used?
anyone got an old wii knocking about? Cex have them if not.
wii play
wii sports
guitar hero

Hire a bouncy castle. They are not too expensive for one half a day.

I'd also have a film or two on standby so they can go inside and sit quietly watching. Especially if they don't each other well.

Sorry just noted he won't have a bouncy castle. What about swing ball?

What about the adults clubbing together to hire a kids entertainer. You know the type- magician/juggler/circus tricks/party games and maybe a bit of music?

Pop up tent/playhouse thing instead of a bouncy castle? It will be cheaper, smaller and they can run in and out of it. Maybe something like a portable hop scotch mat too - I bet argos has some cheap and cheerful garden toys. Paddling pool if it will be warm?

I wouldn't provide too much but a few things will be helpful to direct them into more "robust" areas rather than just running wild. IME they will soon get to know each other.

A big box of lego or train tracks if someone has one is a good thing to bring for inside.

Ooh you can get giant pass the pigs!

A few of the adults going used to play this as DC, I reckon the DC would find it tough to get a go on these 😂

Amazon sell a Gato golf game, about a tenner, looks fun, also a dart board with soft velor balls, hula hoops, stomping airoplanes, skittles etc, have a look at their outdoor garden games.

Definitely! I love VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji's idea of an old Wii too.

I'm slightly shitting it at the idea of all us having to go inside if it rains tbh. Maybe a waterproof gazebo?!!

I'm not going to worry about that too much unless, once the forecast is out, it looks like it might happen.

Gata golf game.

We had a family party with quite a few kids of varying ages last year, we decided they would be bored without entertainment so hired somebody to do forest school with them, that went down really well.

Ooh, now a great idea!!

A hot tub? A waterslide?

*that's a great idea, I mean!

I’d get three pop up tents and arrange them at the end like it’s a camp. Stick a load of cushions/blankets inside and toys Eg 1 Lego tent, 1 crafty tent, 1 dressing up/practice jokes(woopycushion). Get a blow up paddling pool and fill it with balls or those orbi things or sand.

I second the scavenger hunt. Make a list of things to find around the garden, and mark some of them as being things they need to get a photo of. Put them in teams with a teenager with a phone, and the teen can take photos of those items (things like flowers that your DB wouldn't want collected).

That's a really nice idea too. I have a kids tepee and could get a couple more - or borrow them, maybe.

Bubble machine definitely. If a bouncy castle is too much could you hire a ball pit for the younger kids? There are soft play hire places that you can hire ball pits and basic soft play pieces from.

If there's room I'd set up a couple of tents. Ask around the guests if anyone has tents they can bring and make dens for the kids. Some battery powered fairy lights, cushions and books/colouring books inside them. You could have a tent just for the teens so they've got a space free from the younger ones. Stick some cushions and a Bluetooth speaker in there and they'll be happy.

Definitely need a table set up with snacks and jugs of diluting juice that they can help themselves.

I'd brainstorm with the parents. They might have good suggestions of things to bring: goal posts and balls, nerf guns and bullets, buckets of duplo, etc. if everyone brought something you'd have more than enough to entertain all the kids.