5th birthday party with a severe neck injury - I'm at a loss - anyone know what to do?

[winestein]

My plans for DS's fifth birthday but first ever party seem to be somewhat scuppered.

I have the village hall hired and I was going to hire a bouncy castle to have inside and have various activities such as pinata, pass the parcel etc etc.

However, in the meantime, my DS developed a severe neck injury. He can't go to school at the moment and we have to be really careful as the spinal team responsible for him have no idea what happened and how.

Basically, we think no bouncy castle is sensible. He is going to be GUTTED as he knew he was going to have one. We are also going to have to be really careful about the party in itself as four and five year old boys can get quite, er... hands on!

Does anyone have any suggestions? Having had this one "in the bag" for quite some time I have sat back on my laurels. The party will be in the 6th of December so just less than a month away.

All ideas very much appreciated, as I am clueless!

Alternative entertainer - off the top of my head, one of the people who bring a selection of exotic animals would seem a good idea since, as long as they are suitably briefed, it could be done without your DS getting bumped around at all?

It's an idea, that's for sure. How easy are they to find?? I have never heard of them.

I have a friend who does "circus skills" but mostly with adults. He hates kids!

my goodness winestein, what happened?

I would curb everything right back and do it in your own home so it's fully under your control (I assume he's too young for something like a cinema party).

The reptile idea is a good one. Or even just having some children round for tea and buying a bigger present (with the money that would have been spent on the party).

Sounds like something you don't want to take any chances with!

Whereabouts are you? You could try MN Local for contacts? Or Google....

No idea of cost since I have always done 'old-fashioned' parties, but DS has been to a few and really loved them.

Has the hall cost you a lot of money? If not then could you scrap that plan and do a cinema/pizza trip with a smaller number of kids?
If going with hall then a magician or something would be better and then lots of tables with activities on like tshirts and fabric pens/ make your own crowns/ decorate biscuits.
It's really hard for you as the usual party thing is to wear 5 yrolds out with lots of activity.

look in yellow pages for childrens entertainers and talk to one or more about 'sedate' parties. My ds's have been to quite a few parties where a clown/childrens entertainer basically keeps them entranced for 45 minutes or so! Then food - then games which you or entertainer handle - hmm, sleeping lions??

Or cancel this party for a more manageable party tea at home and plan your ds an 'official birthday' like the queen has when he's better.

We have no idea what happened, Fox - other than his head seems to have come off and, somewhat luckily, dropped back into place again :-S The spinal team have no idea how or what - they have admitted they have never seen anything like it and he is currently waiting for his appointment with the neurosurgeons - good news in the meantime is that he is getting better now with each day.

I know exactly what you mean - I want to wrap him up in cotton wool and never let him leave my arms.... but..... I know he will be heartbroken if he doesn't have a proper party. It's his first year at school and has been to a couple of parties with all the class involved already. He knows the hall is booked and was so excited about the bouncy castle. I am hoping I can find an suitable sedate, yet exciting alternative. Not least because my house is rather too small for all of his friends!!

Sorry - crossed posts with everyone post Fox.

Oooh, yes - MN Local - that's a good idea. Will try that!

The hall has cost peanuts and a full refund will be available if I cancel - I know what you mean defineme, but I really want to avoid cancelling it if I can.

I like the magician idea too.

Will these animal/magician people cost a fortune?? I am clueless on costs.

Interested in what you define as an "old fashioned" party, Stealth? What do you do?

Seriously - we live in the middle of nowhere and there are several 'animal people' who do parties, so I would be astonished if you couldn't find one - and it would probably be the first time lots of them had done it and your DS would get kudos to make up for the lack of bouncy castle. I would imagine they are more expensive than hiring a bouncy castle but not horrendously so. Failing MN try asking local parents with older DC.

Old-fashioned parties = (for me) ones minus entertainers or bouncy castles - so we do lots of (themed) activities and play games - but a certain amount of running around is generally involved. The only parties I have ever been to with no potential for "rough play" are the animal ones - and you have a ready made theme for cake, etc.

I am in Nottingham too.
Go to buzzguides.co.uk - look in chidrens section, auntie happy is ok, creation station good if into painting, mad science is brilliant but not sure if 5 a little young and it's expensive, caterpillar music fab but maybe a little too young in style for 5 yrolds- don't know what your ds is into.

Stealth - give me a clue - what kind of games are acceptable to 5 year olds? Have you had experience? Will my son become some kind of outcast if we don't have paid entertainers (). More than happy to do it myself but I'm not sure I could cut the mustard (and stop any rough and tumble), or whatever! Chances are he'll be all signed off by then, but I think we will still need to take it easy (and I'm terrified!) Animal people would make a good interlude - it's just the rest of the party :-S

Small world Defineme! I was just looking at the names you mentioned, but on East Midlands Better Days Out website. The science one does look fantastic, but DS can be a little, er, phased if he is a) the centre of attention and b) not the centre of attention. He is a "character" should we say. Hence me hoping for a "melee" style party. My birthday is on the 23rd of December. I might do the science one for me

Trouble is, unless they are seasoned party-goers, IME you have to 'teach' them party games and I don't think I could keep sufficient control to prevent rough & tumble either . Typically we do a couple of craft things based on the theme, then pass the parcel, pin the something on the something else, musical bumps/chairs/cushions/statues, grandfather's footsteps - but it does need a lot of adult helpers to prevent chaos ensuing.

Animal Parties = animal person + tea with no additional input required.

Tempted? example including costs

My 4 yr old twins were crying with laughter when they saw Jeffrey Jumper the magician ata library over the summer. I would love to book him, but I can't find info on him anywhere- if you see him listed let me know!

Would the farm animal worry parents re the recent farm closure thing and wouldn't they need to be outside? I saw Manor Farm animals at Lark in the park West Bridgford over the summer and we love Ferry Farm or Whitepost farm-if anyone hires out animals it would be them I would think.

Just noticed it's reptiles you're thinking of- so just a warm room needed for them then!

No, not fussy re reptiles. Probably furrier the better in all honesty! I am tempted with animals, certainlky Stealth, but am struggling to Google anywhere. I had thought of giving Whitepost Farm a ring as they are only just up the road. Probably would put people off with the recent outbreaks though. I never thought kid's parties would be such a nightmare! Used to be a bowl of jelly and a balloon and everyone was happy in the 1970's!!

Which library was Jeffery Jumper at Defineme? I should be able to find him with a lead and get back to you (I am v good at detective work!). In fact, if I find him and end up with him, you can have an invite to the party!

It was clifton library. Off to bed now, but will check back as I would love to find him!

says they will travel (from birmingham)

some possible options?

I have found him, defineme! Google Geoffrey as opposed to Jeffrey . If I get him, you have an invite!

If I don't get him, the link to the Birmingham based one looks interesting, although could work out rather expensive as I live 10 miles to the east of Nottingham.

Thanks for all the help guys. It is very much appreciated. I was properly floundering before

I've just spoken to him Defineme. Lovely bloke and really really sorry that he couldn't do our party as he is fully booked from now til the end of December

He must be good!!

I'm starting to think Bosch's plan of deferral would be a good idea. Then we can have a bouncy castle AND Geoffrey. Hmmmmm....

I was carried away with the alliteration in his name! Hope you have a good party whatever happens. I have just remembered seeing a Peter Presto (alliteration being key in magic obviously!) he was ok but I wasn't paying as much attention.

Have a great party, whatever you decide.

hi, how are things?

How weird - I was drawn back to this thread. Did you mean me helpYOUiWILL?