Party planning advice needed!

[In2thedark]

We are holding a birthday party for DS turning 5. Never had a party for him before so this is new to us. I've booked a hall, party will be from 2-4. We have a bouncy castle, and an entertainer will be coming for an hour (party games, magic and bubble booth). Does this sound ok for a bunch of 4 and 5 year olds? Are they all going to want to bounce and ignore the entertainer? There will also be a couple of 2 year olds who will probably be too small for the bouncy castle so I maybe need some extra things for them.

I'm also struggling with the best way to time everything. Entertainer I thought 2.30-3.30, but then I'm not sure when I would do food? If I started the entertainer earlier then will kids not be too excited by the bouncy castle, whereas if she arrives a little later they get it out their system a bit first?

Maybe I'm overthinking all of it!

You are not overthinking it. Kids parties can be pretty stressful and the more you plan, the better.

How many kids are coming? If it’s ten, then you’ve got ample time for everyone to use the bouncy castle before the entertainment. If it’s 25 the problem is some may have to queue before they can go on the bouncy castle.

You will need an adult keeping an eye on how many of them try to get on it at once.

Also i have never been to a kids party at this age that doesn’t involve food! Usually this happens at the end of the entertainment - kids have 30 mins to sit down to a party tea, then light the birthday cake candles and sing “happy birthday” then run around like nutters, then home.

I would phone the entertainer and ask advice on how they’d prefer you to organise the time.

I would probably do as you suggest - 30 mins of bouncing, then one hour entertainment, and then 30 mins for a short party tea and some more bouncing.

I assume you have the hall for say an hour either side so you can tidy up and take down the bouncy castle? In that case I’d suggest kids that aren’t in a hurry to leave will probably stay and bounce longer past the end of the party, so perhaps ask the bouncy castle people to come 15 mins later to take it down

@MissSeven thank you for your reply. There will be around 20 kids - that's a worry too, will there be a load of kids hanging around bored because the bouncy castle is full lol.
I think I might do as you suggested and just ask the entertainer what would work. I'm considering bringing them forward to 2:15 then food/cake/bouncing for the last 45 mins - then that way some kids are eating and some can be bouncing. I was planning on keeping the food quite casual so just some sandwich platters and snacks and everyone helps themselves rather than a sit down thing if you know what I mean.

Do you need both the bouncy castle and the entertainer? If the castle is up while the entertainer is working there’s likely to be at least one child who just wants to be on the bouncy castle.

I don’t think much food is required for a party from 2-4, well after lunch and still quite early for tea. Maybe sing happy birthday at 3.30pm and then quickly cut up the cake and just have cake plus a few savoury snacks at 3.40pm rather than a whole party tea.

In a hall with some space children will play quite happily with blown up balloons so if you did go with entertainer or castle rather than both that can fill any spare time.

I think a whole hour of an entertainer at that age will be a challenge.

30 mins bouncing
45 mins entertainer
15 - 30 mins food
Remaining time bouncing

Turn the bouncy castle off for the entertainment bit so they aren't distracted.

Can the entertainer advise you? My nanny is also a kids entertainer and would usually help guide the family on timings / set up / how long is too long and how long is not enough. Hopefully they can give some structure and guidance to the day? If you want my nanny's details (ie. are stilling looking for entertainment) let me know x

@TheTwenties @WonderingWanda thank you both for your advice. I probably should have went for just one thing instead of both in hindsight - DS loves a bouncy castle so that was a definite, but then I worried it wouldn't be enough for a 2 hr party. Oh well both are booked and paid for now! Agree just a quick snack for food and will see if entertainer could drop to 45 mins xx