WWYD? Birthday party

[Hasselhoff]

Hey Everyone,

DF and I had decided that DS could have a birthday party next year (February, he will be 5) he isn’t starting school so will still have daycare friends.

I’m not exactly sure what to do.. we have a few options so WWYD?

We can hire a jumping castle and do something at home (we have 2 large dogs so I’d need to organise something for them, we have the yard space etc)
Or
Hire a table at an inflatable centre in town (obviously still open to the public aswell?)
Or
Have a party at a play centre (this I’m a little unsure about, are they a little old for that..)

Or any other suggestions?
I’m really not sure what to do.. DS was at a party on the weekend and he wanted to be left (which was ok by the host) so not 100% sure what they did but I don’t think there was games as such, just playing.

What food etc
2 hours or 3 hours? Depend on where we are having it?

We had a party when ds was 1 but that wasn’t very hard to organise lol

Please help me

Thanks!

[amyd]

Any of them sound lovely for a 5yo but if you can afford it then something out of the house would be easier.

[Hasselhoff]

Any of them sound lovely for a 5yo but if you can afford it then something out of the house would be easier.

Thanks! I think we could afford at home. I’m not sure on how many kids is appropriate either.. (dear old anxiety makes me panic that no one will come )

[RmumR]

i try and do home parties where i can as paying per head other places can get rather expensive.

Id cap it to 2hrs and do morning like 10-12 or arvo 2-4, in between proper meal times so you only need to do simple party food mot a meal.

[Hasselhoff]

i try and do home parties where i can as paying per head other places can get rather expensive.

Id cap it to 2hrs and do morning like 10-12 or arvo 2-4, in between proper meal times so you only need to do simple party food mot a meal.

I did think that. Where as the hire for a jumping castle and extra things wouldn’t be too bad.

Sounds great! I was a little unsure of time and also is Saturday better or Sunday? DF has a big golf competition on all of February so will be playing every Sunday that month.. so Saturday would be safer for me but Sunday arvo is ok (is Sunday considered like a family day?)

[Hasselhoff]

.

I did think that. Where as the hire for a jumping castle and extra things wouldn’t be too bad.

Sounds great! I was a little unsure of time and also is Saturday better or Sunday? DF has a big golf competition on all of February so will be playing every Sunday that month.. so Saturday would be safer for me but Sunday arvo is ok (is Sunday considered like a family day?)

[Elijahs Mum]

I’ll only do play centres or inflatable world if you hire the whole place as yes it’s not fun with other random kids everywhere and I like to bring my own food - But at 5 home parties are awesome, pick a theme - at 5 DS did avengers - hire the jumping castle or water slide if hot, get some bubble wands or water guns if hot , play old school games like egg and spoon, donut bobbing, pass the parcel, pin the tail and treasure hunt and do awesome party food like mini sausage rolls, mini hamburger sliders , choc crackles, honey joys , jelly cups ect

[Hasselhoff]

I’ll only do play centres or inflatable world if you hire the whole place as yes it’s not fun with other random kids everywhere and I like to bring my own food - But at 5 home parties are awesome, pick a theme - at 5 DS did avengers - hire the jumping castle or water slide if hot, get some bubble wands or water guns if hot , play old school games like egg and spoon, donut bobbing, pass the parcel, pin the tail and treasure hunt and do awesome party food like mini sausage rolls, mini hamburger sliders , choc crackles, honey joys , jelly cups ect

That’s a big worry for me - especially not knowing these children well what if one runs off and lose them in the crowd I’d hate for the kids at the party to not be able to play properly.

I did think ds would love picking a theme (avengers would be high on his list haha) I love the ideas there! Water guns etc sound like a lot of fun! How many party games would be acceptable for 5 year olds? I’d hate for them to get bored and lose interest!
Ok awesome! Normal party food! I was a little paranoid times had changed too much with party food lol

[Elijahs Mum]

That’s a big worry for me - especially not knowing these children well what if one runs off and lose them in the crowd I’d hate for the kids at the party to not be able to play properly.

I did think ds would love picking a theme (avengers would be high on his list haha) I love the ideas there! Water guns etc sound like a lot of fun! How many party games would be acceptable for 5 year olds? I’d hate for them to get bored and lose interest!
Ok awesome! Normal party food! I was a little paranoid times had changed too much with party food lol

I would have a few games prepared but honestly with a jumping castle and water and being dressed up they definitely won’t be bored!!
These are a few things I did for party food ( I do go overboard but they are all quite easy!)

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Captain America strawberry/marshmallow shield with passion fruit fondue
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Hawkeys dip sticks and Thor’s cheese/pretzel hammers
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Superhero jelly cups
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Hulks peppermint Oreo cheesecake cups with superhero chicken sliders behind
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Batman fairy bread (used a bat cookie cutter)

[Mod-LIKE A BOSS]

I did a play centre party for DS’s 4th Birthday this year. It was expensive per head but outsourcing is my preferred option.
No clean up at home before or after. No lingering party guests, just family we wanted to catch up with anyway who came back for coffee etc.
Kids basically ran around and looked after themselves (with parents supervising) food was there. And after two hours it was time to go home.
I’d cap it at 2 hours wherever you decide to have it.