Birthday party activities?

[ManekiNeko]

Ok I am really slack and I have left organising my daughters birthday to the last minute. I am starting to get a little bit worried because I didn't realise until I wrote down that I would be inviting about 20 toddlers and about 10 babies. I expect some not to turn up but now I'm like woah how am I going to keep them interested.

DD has so much stuff she doesn't really ned anything so this year because she loves animals decided to get 2 ponies at her party... I figured this would keep the children somewhat interested seeing as we have no swings or anything in our yard just a trampoline. Now I'm thinking are they going to get bored while waiting there turn with the pony should I have something else planned like a party game or a crafts table. My friends painted the kids faces at dd's last party so we will do that again. Do you think that is enough to keep that amount of children occupied?

[BigRedV]

I think a craft table is good.

My friend had a table set up where the kids had milk arrowroot biscuits and could decorate them with icing and smarties etc - that's if you don't mind them eating that sort of thing at parties.

Maybe pass the parcel and otehr games like that.

[c38]

See if you can get hold of a couple of huge boxes, ring somewhere like your local Harvey Norman or even some big boxes from a local shop or supermarket. If you can get some really big ones you can cut a doorway and windows and let them play in the "house", other big boxes they can climb in, over, hide under. If you're really game some crayons, textas, stickers to decorate them with. Paint would be even better but as they will be in "party"clothes ..maybe not such a good idea.

Or set up a tent if you have one (or can borrow one or two), kids that age love exploring them, looking through the windows, playing with the zips etc Add some dollys or teddies and a tea set or sleeping bags, little table and chairs... etc You could even just fill a small tent with pillows or balls or even balloons and crepe paper streamers

[NonnyMouse]

I hired a bunch of stuff from the toy library for DD"s 2nd b'day party. We had a playhouse, mini rollercoaster thing, and a couple of those cars that you use your feet with (think Flintstones), all up it cost around $15 for the weekend, plus I got 2 HUGE balloons that are each the size of a washing machine and almost unpoppable, and the kids had loads of fun bouncing those around. We had a big backyard though... I guess if you don't you can tie strong on them and take them to the local park.

Don't worry about having too much "structured" games like pass the parcel etc... I found kids just would rather run around and have free play.

[ManekiNeko]

Where is the toy library you rnted this stuff from? We probs won't be able to have those baloons because of the ponies being there but they sound fun in general where do you get them from?

[kotakai]

Yeah, I was also going to say a toy library or do you belong to a playgroup? Our playgroup has a party pack you can hire that has some great outdoor things in it.

[NonnyMouse]

Where is the toy library you rnted this stuff from? We probs won't be able to have those baloons because of the ponies being there but they sound fun in general where do you get them from?

Sorry the toy library wasn't in Brisbane. There is one around Carina/Carindale I'm sure... you'd be able to Google it.

http://www.bubhub.com.au/servicestoyhireqld.php <------ or click here! :-)

Generally when you hire ponies they are only there for a short time, and then they're gone again. So if you wanted balloons youcould wait till they'd gone. Besides, these balloons aren't the usual sort... they are very thick rubber, and really soft and slow and bouncy.

[ManekiNeko]

The ponies are there for 2 hours because that was the minimum and because they are mostly todlers I'm only having a 2 and a half hour party. I found last time by about the 2 and half hour mark they all starting to get cranky.