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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

DS2's 5th birthday party

8 replies

surprisenumber3 · 03/10/2008 18:00

and no idea what to do! All the other kids seem to be having playbarn type parties so don't really want to do that.

It's on new years day so it'll be freezin so nothing outside.

Thought of a clown but they seem to be £150 plus room hire plus food, party bags etc, didn't really want to spend much more than £100.

Don't really want it at home as had 11 kids to DS1's eighth birthday party and was a nightmare!

Like the thought of hiring a room and doing own food but what could I have for entertainment? Or any other ideas??

OP posts:
Countingthegreyhairs · 03/10/2008 18:20

Some local theatres have special performances for children around the Christmas and New Year period ...

...how about a puppet show - would that be too tame?

Or visit to some sort of indoor attraction such as a planetarium/interactive museum type thing??

are these school friends btw if you don't mind me asking ... or is it local friends ...?

If former I think I would delay the party until after Christmas period as loads of people away/visiting relatives

(apologies if you have already have that aspect sorted)!

surprisenumber3 · 03/10/2008 18:23

thanks counting. I was going to do it 3rd January (saturday). they are school friends mainly. There isn't anything local really to go to like a planetarium.

There is bowling but I find ones that age get bored before it is time to finish. The theatre sounds good, we have a local one which is about £8 each, but would I have to pay for parents too?

Last year he had a party 30 miles away so I only asked children whose parents I know well, but this year he wants his own little friends.

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Countingthegreyhairs · 03/10/2008 18:33

some more ideas here but many not suitable given the weather ....(also concerns a 6 year old and at that age one year is quite a lot older)

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=parties_celebrations&threadid=513457-anyone-got-ideas-for-a-6th-birthda y-party-which-don#10409567

MMMmmm tricky about paying for the parents to attend the theatre ... not sure about the etiquette on that one.. ... perhaps investigate group booking discounts??

If you hire a hall, I know it's been done to death but there are loads of resources available for a pirate themed party involving treasure hunt ..making a ship in a bottle equivalent (can find link if you are interested) or pirate hats ..etc. not very original though ...

surprisenumber3 · 03/10/2008 18:37

pirates is good, my son LOVES pirates!

Just seen a fire engine you can hire to take them out for an hour. But then I'd have all the mums I don't really know in my house, lol. He would love that though so thinking now....

OP posts:
Countingthegreyhairs · 03/10/2008 19:32

OK so don't know how 'crafty' you want this party to be but here are some suggestions:

familycrafts.about.com/od/piratecrafts1/Pirate_Crafts.htm

Can't find link but from memory you can make a pretty simple "ship in a bottle" with 4 to 5 yr olds using large glass jars (such as pickles come in, with wide mouths, large lids) some plasticine, some straws, some blue children's poster paint, a white napkin or some white kitchen roll, some glue and some uncooked rice)

Method:

Get a large bowl of uncooked rice and stir in about a tablespoon of child's undiluted poster paint. Stir around a bit until rice blue and white (to resemble sea). Leave to dry (you do this bit in advance).

Children make the base of a boat with plasticine. Just a basic yacht shape.

Cut a straw to size and stick in plasticine (to form mast). Cut out a (double size you think approp.) triangle from kitchen roll or napkin and then fold in two to form smaller triangles - glue the two sides togetehr - AROUND straw to make smaller triangular sail. (You can also prepare the sails in advance if too fiddly for the boys).

Stick plasticine boat down firmly on base of glass pickle jar or plastic pasta jar (jar on its side obviously!) Pour about an inch or so of rice in to each jar. (It swishes about to form 'waves'!!) Put lid back on jar. Voila! Ship in bottle. Best to name each one.

(Also has advantage that it's a good take home present) Sounds complicated but it's a very easy and quick craft project. I did it with 10 4-5 yr olds and they loved it!

Have a look at this:

www.partypieces.co.uk/category/themed+parties_classic+themes_buried+treasure.htm for supplies but perhaps better prices here:

partypacks.co.uk/list.asp?urx=cd:bb;dt:;zk:zHA10125617T;

Oh and this thread might be of interest also:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/parties_celebrations/567452-pirate-party-on-saturday-need-some-advice

And this (shamelessly lifted from another thread)

www.coolest-kid-birthday-parties.com/kid-cakes.html#Ship03

Countingthegreyhairs · 03/10/2008 19:47

More ideas here on this one too

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/parties_celebrations/541092-help-ds-is-6-on-18th-june-hes-wants-a

surprisenumber3 · 03/10/2008 21:14

wow that's all fantastic - thank you!

You should be a party planner!

Thanks for all your help xx

OP posts:
Countingthegreyhairs · 04/10/2008 15:18

My pleasure! I do love a good party... Hope your ds has a blast!

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