Talk me through the birthday party schedule, please!

[staceychev]

So, DD1 is getting her first "kid" birthday party this year, as opposed to the free-form BBQ for family and close friends that we've had in the past. All of the other birthday parties we've been to have been "destination" parties where they're controlled by the Little Gym people or the Bounce-U people or what have you.

So, I need a little help figuring out the schedule. I've got one craft (color your own kite kits that I bought) and a backyard with a swing set. We're setting up the whole party out back. I've thought about doing games, and my mom told me to not be afraid of just letting them play. So, here's what I have to work with:

* Party is from 10:30 to 1
* 6 five-year old girls, 3 tween girls, 2 boys, age 3 and 4-1/2
* tea party theme--serving lemonade in teapots, kids get their own teacups to use and take home
* lunch is probably peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cut into shapes
* color-you-own kite time
* cake
* I was also thinking of having her open the presents during the party, but my mom warned me to do that at the end

Is this enough to fill those 2-1/2 hours? Should we do Simon Says or Duck Duck Goose or Red Light Green Light?

Any other brilliant ideas or advice?

I'm excited, but I'm also terrified. I actually had a nightmare about this last night.

[ProtoLawyer]

Just a few pointers:
1. Opening gifts is expected in some areas, not expected in others. Here, gifts get opened at the party...I'd schedule it for after cake, but not quite at the end. BUT, as 5-year-olds have limited attention span for watching others get stuff, I'd make sure the only gifts opened at the party are gifts from the kids attending the party. Gifts from you, grandparents, etc. can wait until later. (This one comes from sad experience--watching my newly 5-year-old stepdaughter tear through an avalanche of presents, while her five or six friends grew increasingly impatient and just wanted to play.)

2. Assuming weather cooperates, kite flying and the swingset should be fine for occupying time (though--how old is "tween?" A playground may or may not hold their attention). I might have a backup game or two in case of rain or in case the outdoor unstructured play isn't enough.

3. Regarding food--any allergies/peanut avoiders in your group? Otherwise, sandwiches work. (If there will be any adults staying at the party--and, given the ages of the kids, there might be--be sure to have some food for them, too.) Decorating cupcakes can be a time-filler that kids enjoy, if you want to go that route.

4. I like your idea of the teacup take-home. I hate goody bags (because they're almost always filled with candy and plastic junk that will never get used but heaven forbid we try to get rid of it) but do like useful party favors.

Good luck!!!

[KalamazooMom]

My advice is to not plan too many activities and just allow time for them to play. Parties I've thrown I've always overthought the activities and it turned out all the kids really wanted to do was play with each other.

[staceychev]

Thanks for the advice!

So, no peanut avoiders... I was aware of that one!

The "tweens" are an 8 year old aunt and her best friend who is 11 and loves to play with the younger kids, as well as an 8 year old cousin. I guess they're not really tweens, are they?

Luckily, the weather is supposed to be gorgeous.

So, I'm thinking:

free play as kids arrive, then
early lunch, then
work on kite decorating, then
cake and presents
then free play or games until kids leave

Sound good?

[LuckyMommaToo]

I'd probably add a little food and one more free-form activity. If kids have trouble incorporating into the free play, it's nice to have a table set up with bubbles or playdoh, something that a kid can do as a break for a few minutes.

You're having a couple sides, aren't you? Watermelon slices, goldfish/pretzels, cheese sticks would all be good, easy choices, I think.

Have fun!
-e

[staceychev]

Oh, yes, there's definitely going to be more food than just PB&J! I was going to do watermelon cut into fun shapes, and maybe another easy side--goldfish are a good idea. That, and cake. Definitely enough food for 2-1/2 hours!

Bubbles are a great idea--I'll see what I can pull together!

[rachelsmama]

I've been to several parties where each present was opened when the present giver arrived, and it was pretty much just something that happened between the two relevant children, so that the exchange was more personal. It seemed to avoid a lot of the drama that seems to go along with the big official present opening time, while still giving the kids a chance to give and receive gracefully.

[Hoopin' Mama]

Originally Posted by rachelsmama

I've been to several parties where each present was opened when the present giver arrived, and it was pretty much just something that happened between the two relevant children, so that the exchange was more personal. It seemed to avoid a lot of the drama that seems to go along with the big official present opening time, while still giving the kids a chance to give and receive gracefully.

Yes!

[zeldamomma]

Here is my kid party formula:
1) Craft -- it gives kids something to do immediately when they arrive, so they feel like they're part of the party, and you can do all the prep work and have it set up and ready to go when they arrive.
2) Active play (kite flying?)
3) Snack/meal
4) Active game/pinata
5) Cake
6) Presents
7) Send'em home and relax.

FYI, I had tweens at my son's 4th birthday, and they got a little overwhelmed with free play with 3 & 4 year olds-- they had a hard time dealing with the fact that the little ones couldn't be expected to follow all the rules they did, and the general chaos. I might have an activity ready to pull out for the older kids, so you can redirect them, if necessary.