4 year olds party- really need help on timings etc

[partypanic]

DS is having his 4th birthday party on Sunday in a church hall but I'm in a real panic about timings now. PLease help!! We are having a bouncy castle, there are 15 children coming plus a few younger siblings I expect. Was going to do pass the parcel but do I need to do a layer for each child playing (or is giving them a sweet at the end ok for those who didn't get a go at opening?). Have planned a craft activity too, making party hats and then of course there's the food. How long do 4 year olds take with food? The party is for 1hr 45 mins and I'm now thinking this quite a lot to cram in. I.e will they be peed off if I turn the bouncy castle off after half an hr to play a game?? Any advice REALLY appreciated.

I would do an hour for bouncy castle ffering something else i.e planned craft alongiside.
The 30 min for food and last 15 min for pass the parcel.
I would prob do 15 layers so each child get's turn of opening parcel.

sounds exactly the right length of party to me.

have you considered doing the craft activity while the bouncy castle is up? that way you can have a few at a time, and those that want to bounce can.

I would do a layer per child tbh - the thrill is in the opening.

also take some games that take no preparation - so a cd player and plan to play musical statues/bumps/islands (like chairs but with sheets of newspaper on the floor) just in case you need to fill some time.

4yo will take less time eating than you think, and will eat less than you think too.

Id say, do loads of layers on the parcel, so everyone gets to unwrap a layer. Prob do 20?? They will be happy with a little something if they did get missed out tho.

Food will take half hour i reckon depending on how much there is.

You could run the party hat making table while the boucy castle is still up, will be easier to manage a few kids at a time to organise the making of the hats.

Have a game lined up incase they get bored, but i wouldnt be suprised if they will just run about and play on the castle, and be happy with that.

Dont stress. It will all soon be over.

Thank you everyone- bouncy castle running alongside craft sounds more manageable. I will do lots of layers on the parcel then!! I will try to relax a little, thank you