Help me plan 6 yo ds' party

Platinum Member Joined: May 06 2007 Posts: 8512

Ds is turning 6 next month and I need help planning the party. I'm having it at home - we have a backyard if it's nice out, or a playroom inside that would be packed with kids.

Here's the criteria if you choose to accept it Smile

-It should be age appropriate
-No characters/tv/guns
-Inexpensive-ish - will spend but not a lot, I mean he's only 6
-for about 15 boys
-Should last about 1 1/2 hours

I need ideas for food, activities, everything.

TIA!
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Just Plain Frum!

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 18 2005 Posts: 2906

how many helping adults will you have on hand?

my ds (5) just went to a birthday party, the parents got those small lego sets that build an emergency vehicle or helicopter for each kid. the first 20 min they helped the boys put it together adn then labeled it so the kids got to take them home later. they had alot of relatives helping out though. like 1 adult per 2 kids.
then they had pizza for lunch followed by cake, then outside for a pinata and general run around time until the parents came to get the kids. 1.5 hrs total.
I would have some balls or frisbees or paper airplanes available for the 'run around' time so they dont get bored.

Gold Member Joined: Jul 14 2009 Posts: 2094

an ice cream or cup cake decorating bar-treat & activity in 1!

Platinum Member Joined: May 06 2007 Posts: 8512

Great idea - thanks!

Granola - sounds right up our alley, but I can't guarantee all those adults and how much are the lego things? But I'll def look into it. Ds also wanted a pinata but they never break!

Posted: Wed, May 16 2012, 12:39 pm Post subject: re: Help me plan 6 yo ds' party

I've done about a million kids parties. These are some of the things I have done:

pass the parcel. (wrap a biggish prize in layers and layers of newspaper, stick small prizes on the layers, also actions they have to do to get the prize eg sing happy birthday)
stick the tail on the donkey type game.
decorating cupcakes.
make their own pizza pie.
action races in the garden
look online or in craft stores or dollar stores for a cheap craft activity they can do.
treasure hunt

look online - lots of websites with kids party ideas.

Diamond Member Joined: Aug 07 2006 Posts: 2556

Ahhh, kids' parties! Fun stuff - but it helps to be super-prepared.

The party will have a set time to begin, but not everyone will be there instantaneously. Have a craft project ongoing at large tables or playthings available in the yard (depending on the children/weather) at the very beginning of the party while the guests arrive, so you keep eveyone occupied and not running amok in your house.

If the kids make crafts, have them do it on a paper plate and label the plates with each child's name to avoid mixups at pickup time.

Don't get a pinata; it doesn't bring out the best in kids, to put it mildly.

With 15 kids, you might want to divide them into three groups to do different activities/games in rotation so no one has to wait too long in line for pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, for example. If you have two parents and a grandparent or neighborhood teen, that should do, but the more helpers the better.

Does your son want a theme? You can get inexpensive decor and related craft kits from Oriental Trading, for example. There are lots of websites with inexpensive do-it-yourself party craft and decor ideas, too.

At his age, he can do things like make his own pin-tail poster (it doesn't have to be a donkey!) or choose the group games. It's his party!

If you and/or your party helpers don't know every single child by name and face, have them wear name tags.

If the party is late morning (before lunch) or late afternoon (before dinner) - serve pizza and cake right before pickup. If it is right after lunch or even mid-afternoon - you can serve only cake/ice cream for a snack and save money.

A generation ago a highlight of the birthday party was opening the presents in front of the guests - thank goodness it isn't "done" any more. Don't. Do make sure your son keeps track of who gave what so he can send his thank you notes, and make sure he knows that duplicates might be returned/exchanged (with so many kids, it is likely to happen).

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 18 2005 Posts: 2906

Posted: Wed, May 16 2012, 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: Help me plan 6 yo ds' party

Posted: Wed, May 16 2012, 5:20 pm Post subject: re: Help me plan 6 yo ds' party

another idea - buy cheap plastic cups (not disposable) and each kid can write their name on it and decorate it. Use for drinking at the party and send them home with it as well.

Posted: Wed, May 16 2012, 6:02 pm Post subject: re: Help me plan 6 yo ds' party

Scavenger hunts are also great for outdoors.

I'm planning a party for my almost 6 y.o. DS too!

Gold Member Joined: Aug 24 2010 Posts: 1465

I would say that puffy paint in the hands of 15 6 year old boys is a BAD IDEA! And the mothers who do the laundry after the party will most probably agree with me.

Platinum Member Joined: May 06 2007 Posts: 8512

Thanks ladies - any other ideas?