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Kids birthday party at home...
Answered 4 years ago
I am thinking about having my son’s birthday party at home for his school friends... thoughts? ( providing there is no restrictions by then). He is friendly with the classmates, I don’t have much to do with the parents. Do I invite “kids only “ ? He is in year 2. Ideas how to keep them entertained ? How many hours is enough.
Normally we have family, friends , not so structured birthdays, no time limit etc. I am not a fan of the play centres, bouncy places etc. ( I don’t think they are open back anyway). I can see how they are popular, no cleaning up and trashing your own place, especially with random kids invited.
Has anyone here hosted “classmates” birthday at home ?
He really wants one for his school friends ( lots of kids in the class do it). I figured that he should have at least one at primary school?
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ANSWER
4 years ago
At that age I would expect most parents to stay at the party...no way would I have left my 7 year old at a strangers house!
Replies
REPLY
4 years ago
Same. I always stayed at the parties. I'd also offer a had if they need it
REPLY
4 years ago
I am good with that. Do I set up food and drinks for parents. I am thinking 2-3 hours?
ANSWER
4 years ago
My youngest has had one party at home and I said never again. It was kindergarten and we invited the whole class. 20 out of 22 kids showed up and only 2 parents stayed. I was a parent volunteer twice a week in his class and knew every kid there thankfully. I was very organised and had lots of games and stuff planned so they were occupied the whole time (1.5 hours) but holy cow I was exhausted when they went home. Since then we have done parties outside of the house.
If you choose to do one at home I highly recommend limiting the number of kids he invites. Have more games/activities planned than you think you will need, not everything will be a hit and they can get bored quickly. Do easy foods. We have our parties after lunch so I don’t have to worry about a full meal. I usually do cut up fruit and veg, some potato chips and lots of jelly cups. Water and juice boxes for the drinks. Cake at the end of the party. Whatever you serve just make sure you have a designated place to eat so you don’t have spills all over you house. Also prepare for a couple of extra kids. A few times kids have shown up that didn’t RSVP. Have a clear end time.
If you choose to do one at home I highly recommend limiting the number of kids he invites. Have more games/activities planned than you think you will need, not everything will be a hit and they can get bored quickly. Do easy foods. We have our parties after lunch so I don’t have to worry about a full meal. I usually do cut up fruit and veg, some potato chips and lots of jelly cups. Water and juice boxes for the drinks. Cake at the end of the party. Whatever you serve just make sure you have a designated place to eat so you don’t have spills all over you house. Also prepare for a couple of extra kids. A few times kids have shown up that didn’t RSVP. Have a clear end time.
ANSWER
4 years ago
Yes, I don't do whole class parties just a group of friends.
ANSWER
4 years ago
I have done a number of home parties, I love them. They are old school and allow you to enjoy it...but I don’t invite the whole class. I enjoy my child bonding with 8 or so friends, playing games I can manage and using it as an opportunity to see my child having a wonderful time, with their friends. That is just me however. I have friends do the whole class, but to be completely honest, parents seem very stressed and other parents all lounge around chatting and I notice don’t help out much. Also I’m not a fan of the amount of gifts, it’s too much. 3-4 hours in our house parties, we have fun games, activities and just play- like guided games(hide and seek), I notice with smaller parties people drop off their kids, but full class ones, parents are hanging around chatting. Goodluck
ANSWER
4 years ago
Some ideas for outdoor party for the whole class:
Find a nearby spot that has an open park (eg soccer field size) and structured playground together.
Bring a soccer ball or two, a couple of hula hoops, some bubble wands (50c from Kmart).
Bring easy to eat finger food like mini sandwiches (Vegemite and cheese; jam; that kind of thing), pre-cut apple (soak in a bit of water & lime juice to stop it browning), watermelon chunks, cheddar cheese cubes.
If you use disposable plastic cups then also bring a permanent marker so everyone must write their name on their cup - it stops mix-ups! Or buy bulk juice poppers when they're on sale, everyone gets one each.
Bring a big tub/container (like a 60L storage container) for rubbish because park/playground bins are often not big enough, or if a bin is more than about 2 m away the kids will dump their rubbish on the ground. Or bring your own kitchen bin so you can put bin liners in it and tie them up once full.
Speaking of which, make sure the kids pick up their rubbish/throw it out, and as the organising adult it's your responsibility to ensure the place is clean before you leave. I live near a playground and it's so frustrating to see adults turn a blind eye to the party kids leaving cups and plates strewn about.
On the invitation give a start and end time, allowing 1.5 hours. Parents should come so they can supervise their kids, I reckon. I wouldn't want to take responsibility for that many kids! You'll have your own things to worry about on the day, you won't be able to keep an eye on everyone to ensure they're being safe/etc.
Find a nearby spot that has an open park (eg soccer field size) and structured playground together.
Bring a soccer ball or two, a couple of hula hoops, some bubble wands (50c from Kmart).
Bring easy to eat finger food like mini sandwiches (Vegemite and cheese; jam; that kind of thing), pre-cut apple (soak in a bit of water & lime juice to stop it browning), watermelon chunks, cheddar cheese cubes.
If you use disposable plastic cups then also bring a permanent marker so everyone must write their name on their cup - it stops mix-ups! Or buy bulk juice poppers when they're on sale, everyone gets one each.
Bring a big tub/container (like a 60L storage container) for rubbish because park/playground bins are often not big enough, or if a bin is more than about 2 m away the kids will dump their rubbish on the ground. Or bring your own kitchen bin so you can put bin liners in it and tie them up once full.
Speaking of which, make sure the kids pick up their rubbish/throw it out, and as the organising adult it's your responsibility to ensure the place is clean before you leave. I live near a playground and it's so frustrating to see adults turn a blind eye to the party kids leaving cups and plates strewn about.
On the invitation give a start and end time, allowing 1.5 hours. Parents should come so they can supervise their kids, I reckon. I wouldn't want to take responsibility for that many kids! You'll have your own things to worry about on the day, you won't be able to keep an eye on everyone to ensure they're being safe/etc.
ANSWER
4 years ago
I've had a kid birthday party end up inside my house because it was raining in the park/playground we were going to use. Personally I would keep it to very, very few kids; does he have a close group of 3-6 people he hangs out with the most?
Also don't feel pressured to invite the whole class just because you think it's a thing you "should" do. If that's something you really want (and more importantly is that something your son actually wants?) then do it at an open park/playground so you don't have 20+ kids in your house. But seriously, don't feel like you need to have a party and invite the whole class. Even if other people do it, you don't have to; remind your kid that each family gets to make the decision which is right for them, and for your family the right decision is a party with his close friends.
Also don't feel pressured to invite the whole class just because you think it's a thing you "should" do. If that's something you really want (and more importantly is that something your son actually wants?) then do it at an open park/playground so you don't have 20+ kids in your house. But seriously, don't feel like you need to have a party and invite the whole class. Even if other people do it, you don't have to; remind your kid that each family gets to make the decision which is right for them, and for your family the right decision is a party with his close friends.