Ideas needed for keeping kids (aged 1-8) amused at party

[killerkitty]

We're having a christening party for our 15-month-old DS - hopefully outside (between showers). There will be about 12 kids coming, all aged between 15 months and eight. I'd like to hire something for them to play on/with but don't really have the space for a bouncy castle and think the disparity in ages may discount that idea anyway. Is there such a thing as a blow-up pool with soft balls perhaps? You can tell I haven't been to many kids' parties!

Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Get a paddling pool and fill it with balls. You could probably get a castle shaped one. Maybe try Early learning centre. That will work for the younger ones. those aged 6-8 maybe too big for that. Could get something else for them to play with. eg set up a little table with some drawing or arts and crafts? Or get a swingball. Or something

A few (soft) balls if you have enough space for them not to be a nuisance, colousirng in table (crayons, not felt tips, they're likely to be in their posh clothes), lots of balloons?

Tents and tunnels, all kids love them and they can easily be packed inside or outside and can be got fairly cheaply from Sainsburys / Tescos / ElC.

bubbles.

fun for al ages.

Ask each family to bring one item of outdoor play equipment with them - a tunnel, a pop-up play tent, a mini trampoline etc.

Then buy lots and lots of bottles of bubbles.

Buy a cheap sandpit and toys to go in it - your DS will have lots of fun from this in the long term, so worth buying.

Ooh lots of good ideas. Love the bubbles.

Thanks very much everyone.

set it up like a playgroup - one table covered in lining paper with some wax crayons (don't mark clothes) even the older ones seem to dift over to draw, few toddler toys - bricks or big chunky cars, sandpit is great idea, something bigger like cars and garage or wooden train track, small tent to crawl around in/have picnic

Only other thing we've done for friends wedding is a party bay for kids to keep them entertained that they get when they arrive so you could put a few age appropriate things in it that they would like to do - sticker or activity books for older ones maybe...