5 Year Old Birthday Party for Reception Class. Yes or No? Looking for tips!

[elenna55]

Hi everyone! First time poster here. My son moved school recently, and has been to the new school for around 2 months, he knows around 5 kids but would mention a couple of the other kids names every day. I am planning to throw him a birthday party for all of his classmates to attend, not sure how this would go as I don't know any parents yet. I was planning to ask the teacher to put invites in kids bags and hope that parents will be responsible enough to RSVP, either way, if they are coming or not. There are around 30 kids in his class, and I would be happy if around 50% turns up.

What would be the best way to give out the invites? I am very unsure how to go about it, as I've never organised a party for him. I was planning to hire a hall and entertainer, and do lunch boxes. I am a bit apprehensive about the cost, as the number of attendees is uncertain.

Appreciate your advice and help :) !

My son had his birthday not long after they started in reception, so I invited all the boys. Teacher handed out invites for me, and luckily everyone replied.

Is there a class whatsapp? I would post an invite on there. But post individually to each parent, as I found you get quicker responses than if posted on the actual group.

If not, ask the teacher to put invites in the kids bags. Invite as many as you can, not everyone will come or even RSVP. But its a great way to get your child on the map and you'll get to play host and meet the parents. A win win!

I think asking the teacher to give out invites is fine but out on a date to rsvp by.

I did a full class party in reception and only half RSVP’d even after a reminder. Luckily I’d booked it at a soft play where you pay for the first 10 kids in advance and estimate the total which was the 30 invites given plus a couple of cousins. On the day i paid for the rest, which ended up being 26 in total (so just paid for an extra 16) I did that option after reading endless threads on here about a lack of replies.

DustyLee123 Oh that's promising. I do not have expectation for everyone to attend, specially the girls, as I know he is not really playing with any of the girls. If 10 kids attend, I would be happy. I also don't have anyone's number, and there is no parents WhatsApp group that I would be aware of.

starlight2kk Thank you for sharing your experience. Yes, my expectation would be half the parents that would RSVP, hopefully. Prices per kids at the soft plays around here are quite expensive, and I would not want to spend £700 on a party in case most of the kids show up, some do not add extra children on the day.

Class wats app is your friend

If you don't have one. Start one

Do you do drop off/collections

If so write number on paper with your name and give to all parents and write saying please text me with your number and I will start a class wats app group

Invite all the class and teacher will give our invites/put in tray

There is no class WhatsApp group, as far as I am aware of, I might be wrong, as we joined this school just before the Easter. I was thinking the same way, hopefully we will get to meet more of the parents and his classmates and he will be able to form more friendships, as he is a very quiet boy.

Ask a parent from your year group if there is one and ask them if they mind adding you/asking the admin to add you. Many party invitations are posted on there so it would be a shame for your child to miss out.

Have fun at the party!

Be strange if there isn't

And tbh I'm class rep and when have new child starting I do what I said above

My number and name and mini blondes name on paper and say text me and I will add you

Teachers usually fine about handing out invitations, send a stack in with no names on and just say whole class is invited.
With this type of party around 75% will rsvp yes or no, some will turn up without rsvp ing. So make sure you plan enough food for max number.
Don't send the invites out too early or people forget or don't want to commit, max 2 weeks in advance in my experience

Teachers will happily hand out invites. We never had watsapp groups for my older 2 and I always did whole class parties in ks1. Just put a rsvp date but still expect no shows or turn up who haven’t rsvp’d. I always except there will be extra on the day and do extra party bags to be safe. Usually uninvited siblings, but sometimes kids whose parents haven’t rsvpd.

That's sounds good, yes I thought the same way, to not send the invites too early, as they will definitely forget.

That's a good suggestion, will try to find out who is the class rep and see if there is a WhatsApp group.

I agree to asking another parent if there’s a WhatsApp group. If there is, introduce yourself and post an invite.

If not, as the teacher if they can give first names and send in named invites (or blank if not) one for each child.

I’d write on the invite ‘LittleElenna has recently joined XX class and would love his new friends to celebrate his birthday.’ Hopefully this will
mean parents won’t be put off attending if their DC hasn’t mentioned yours yet - they’ll know it’s because he has just started.

Ask people to RSVP (give a date) and to advise you about dietary requirements. Food boxes are great and can be done cheaply. Provide drinks and biscuits for the parents. Be clear whether siblings are invited (I usually say no but to get in touch if they are unable to arrange childcare). Try to rope in some help so you can chat to the parents. Got round and introduce yourself etc (hard to do if you’re running the party).

Either a bouncy castle or entertainer is good depending on budget.

Sounds like a great way to meet people. Good luck!

How I get around this is to send invites 6 weeks before and then message a week before to ask about dietary requirements. Even if I am fairly sure the kid doesn’t have any I check and it acts as a reminder!