When you all host parties for your LOs do you plan activities like crafts and games where the parents' of your child guests can participate too? Or better yet really need to help their child?
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I had a cookie decorating area at LO 1's 4th birthday and most of the younger kids wanted their parents to watch or help them.
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I think its always good to have at least one thing the kids can do pretty much solo. Even just coloring sheets etc.
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I did at one bday party and it didn't go well. But I didn't set aside a "time" to do it, it was just an option set up in the party room. The kids were too busy playing and never stopped to do the craft.... so although I was kinda disappointed at least I know they were having fun doing what they wanted
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When we do crafts there isn't the intention that parents help but they usually stand by their child and help if needed
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I did one time. (We planted flowers, it was the party favor) but I likely wouldn't again.
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We haven’t done any planned activities like crafts yet at LO’s parties; so far it’s just been free play.
LO and I recently went to a party where the mom had set up a really fun treasure hunt with all these clues that had to be found in order to find the treasure. She broke the kids up into groups of 3-4 kids and asked a parent to lead each group. I led the group LO was in and didn’t mind, and I think the other parents felt the same.
Our neighbor whose LO is a couple months older than LO always has fun crafts at their parties and the ones last year required some parental supervision (there was a hot glue gun out), but the ones this year were totally fine for 4 years olds to do alone, although of course most kids wanted mom/dad with them to see the craft etc
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Most of the parties we've been to has needed parental help/guidance. Like at a gym parents needed to remain within "hugs reach" of their child.
We've also been to an art party where most parents needed to help (paint was involved).I never gave it a second thought. No parents ever mentioned annoyance or surprise either.
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At my daughter's 2nd birthday we stuffed animals (think build a bear style) and I had parents help their kid. Honestly, it would have been bettered suited to 3+ aged kids but since we all did it together it wasn't an issue at all for parents to help.
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@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: yes, I've seen this many times. Sometimes it's successful and sometimes it isn't. The unsuccessful ones I saw were home parties where the crafts were laid out on a table and no directions were given, but parents were chatting and socializing and didn't help their kids. So the kids would kind play with the craft supplies left out but not really make the intended craft and giant messes were made.
The successful ones I saw were at play spaces where the craft is directed. You have an employee who is used to doing this getting everyone's attention, explaining the craft and demonstrating, engaging the kids--and in that situation the parents are more quiet and following along with the demonstration. We've been to parties with cookie decorating, halloween mask decorating, christmas ornament making, etc.
I think a home craft could be successful if the host did the same thing a party space would--use a bell or something to get everyone's attention and introduce the craft. Get the kids engaged, show what to do, and ask parents to jump in and help. It's just that in reality, most hosts are so busy doing things like putting more food out, cleaning spills, taking care of their own kids, taking pictures, socializing...that this is hard to do. This would be easier if you have hosting help and your spouse takes over the kids at this point. So if you have your parents helping you, your parents can be clearing trash, restocking food and drinks, and the spouse can be helping your kids--while you direct all the other kids and parents.
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I have only been to parties with my son that were held outside of the home, and parents most always stay.
I think the best thing is to kind of think about how old your own kid is and if they could do the activity themselves. If they can't, then you're going to need all hands on deck and most parents are happy to pitch in.
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Thanks for the replies! DH and I are volunteering in LO's class and as I wrote out the description of the craft I realized the teachers would need to help. Hopefully, they still like the project and let us come in.
@Anagram: great tips!
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My strong preference (as host or as guest) is to not give parents any more work than they already have in wrangling their kid. To me, the ideal for a party is the kids having fun independently while parents can relax a tiny bit and have some food and beverages, and step in to manage kids only when needed.
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@PawPrints: yes! i've done music stations (just all our musical instruments in an area), photo booth areas, stickers, coloring pages, random toys out, a bounce house and once we did an egg hunt. all things that kids can do on their own or parents can participate with them if they want, but didn't have to.
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