Kids Birthday

[mama2myangels07]

I'm trying to figure out for my son's birthday party. I'm planning it for June 27th, hopefully it will be a pool party in our apt complex. (The pool part is only if the pool in our complex is open) I think including adults it's going to be roughly 50 people altogether including myself, dh and the b-day boy. Thinking about inviting my son's entire class which makes up about 10 of the guests not counting their parents. How would you do food? I was thinking something like meatballs in gravy, mashed potatos plus snacks like chips and dip, and a veggie tray and fruit tray. Anything else you'd do?

Edit: Also for the cake I was given the idea of doing a small cake for my son and then doing cupcakes for everyone else? Which do you think would be cheaper? A sheet cake or the other?

[ProtoLawyer]

Re: Cake--do you plan to bake or buy?
To bake, it's probably a wash cost-wise, but I find cupcakes easier. YMMV. You can even use frost/decorate your own cupcake as a party activity.

To buy, a sheet cake will likely be cheaper. Cupcakes have become pretty pricey.

Can I ask, why a small cake for your son and cupcakes for everyone else instead of cupcakes for everyone including your son? If you want space to put lots of candles in, group the cupcakes together for the candles, then pass them out separately.

Re: Food--are you planning this for a mealtime or for between meals? If it was for a mealtime, I'd probably go more substantial (meatballs, mashed potatoes are a good start, but I'd add a vegetarian friendly protein and maybe some chicken on a stick or some such). Lots of beverages, too.

Oh, some unsolicited safety advice: Please indicate on the invitation if you need parents to stay at the party. At least here, most big parties for 7-year-olds can go either way (drop-off versus stay--small home parties tend to be drop-off), but if you need more supervision for the pool, please say so, and invite the parents to swim if rules allow. (Peeve of mine: Parties where adults are expected to stay but there is no food, drink, or seating for them and the activities are kids-only. Yeah, I know that the parties are for the kids, but if I have to hang out there for an hour and a half, at least give me a chair!

[mama2myangels07]

Originally Posted by ProtoLawyer

Re: Cake--do you plan to bake or buy?
To bake, it's probably a wash cost-wise, but I find cupcakes easier. YMMV. You can even use frost/decorate your own cupcake as a party activity.

To buy, a sheet cake will likely be cheaper. Cupcakes have become pretty pricey.

Can I ask, why a small cake for your son and cupcakes for everyone else instead of cupcakes for everyone including your son? If you want space to put lots of candles in, group the cupcakes together for the candles, then pass them out separately.

Re: Food--are you planning this for a mealtime or for between meals? If it was for a mealtime, I'd probably go more substantial (meatballs, mashed potatoes are a good start, but I'd add a vegetarian friendly protein and maybe some chicken on a stick or some such). Lots of beverages, too.

Oh, some unsolicited safety advice: Please indicate on the invitation if you need parents to stay at the party. At least here, most big parties for 7-year-olds can go either way (drop-off versus stay--small home parties tend to be drop-off), but if you need more supervision for the pool, please say so, and invite the parents to swim if rules allow. (Peeve of mine: Parties where adults are expected to stay but there is no food, drink, or seating for them and the activities are kids-only. Yeah, I know that the parties are for the kids, but if I have to hang out there for an hour and a half, at least give me a chair!

For the cake we are thinking bake ourselves, but actually i like the idea of letting the kids decorate their own better!

For the time we are thinking noon to 4 or 1 to 5. So yeah it would be probably considered around a meal time. Though I do need ideas on the veg food because there will be at least two guests that are. For drinks we are planning on having some pop, gatorade and bottled water in a big tub like thing.

With the pool, I know there will be PLENTY of adults to supervise, BUT I'm going to write on the invites that parents are more then welcome to stay and can go swimming if they like.

[newbymom05]

I don't know, if I get an invitation post-12, I assume it won't be a meal, just cake and maybe snacks. We're also having a pool b'day party this June, and I"m going to make it 1-4 just to avoid having to feed people something substantial. Re: the cake, here you can get a sheet cake that's made of cupcakes. They put the cupcakes on a tray to form a shape (rectangle or whatever) and then ice them as if it were a sheet cake. Plus then you can get chocolate and vanilla!

[kittykat2481]

That seems like a long birthday party to me. I think 2-3 hours is plenty. I would also just keep food simple - hot dogs, veggie burgers - stuff you can throw on the grill (if there is one).

[mama2myangels07]

Originally Posted by kittykat2481

That seems like a long birthday party to me. I think 2-3 hours is plenty. I would also just keep food simple - hot dogs, veggie burgers - stuff you can throw on the grill (if there is one).

not possible for a grill

[eepster]

Pizza is the usual kids party choice around here. It is easy, not too messy and vegetarian friendly (though not vegan) and liked by almost everyone.

Another option would be getting sandwich platters. You can either get them already made and sliced from a sub shop, or you could put out a make-your-own-sandwich buffet. Basically put out a variety of bread and rolls, a couple of platters of cold cuts (make sure the vegetarian option are on a separate platter) and condiments.

[kittykat2481]

Originally Posted by mama2myangels07

not possible for a grill

Then definitely pizza. We like to keep it simple around here.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by mama2myangels07

hopefully it will be a pool party in our apt complex. (The pool part is only if the pool in our complex is open) I think including adults it's going to be roughly 50 people altogether

Is it OK with your complex to have that many guest at one time?

As far as the "there are plenty of adults to supervise thing" PLEASE have one adult who is focused and watching the kids. Kids are most likely to drawn when their are lots of adults around and everyone assumes that someone else is watching them. You will be busy with food and party stuff, pick some one or a couple of people to to trade off, but an adult needs to be solely focused on watching those kids every single minute. You dont' have clue what their skills or behavoirs are like.

[Polliwog]

Will you have to rent out the pool? I've lived in apartments and now live in a rented townhouse condominium. I've never lived somewhere where you would be allowed to bring 50 guests. I'd hate to be another resident who wanted to use the pool.