https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:28:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2880029 Tue, 09 Apr 2019 13:47:57 +0000 Madison43 2880029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>these are all great suggestions! I was going to suggest bubbles and chalk - those are my go to’s for parties, or even a cheap bubble machine that the kids can run through. Put out a couple of balls and/or an easy craft call it a day! I love bounce houses but am paranoid about safety so we bounce in shifts (big kids go together, littles go together, etc.....) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2880027 Tue, 09 Apr 2019 13:29:05 +0000 ttcgirl 2880027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: ha good for you! Those are always a hit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2880024 Tue, 09 Apr 2019 13:10:31 +0000 agold 2880024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Update: I broke down and ordered a small 10x10 bounce house after seeing one at a party this past weekend. Its cheaper than the face painter and balloon twister, which I've decided not to hire. Now just praying for no head injuries!</p> <p>ETA: I am still going to do all the crafts and other things everyone above suggested! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879496 Fri, 05 Apr 2019 12:22:15 +0000 agold 2879496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ttcgirl: I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who considered cancelling for a hot second. I'm fairly particular about things, but also a bit overwhelmed and throwing in the towel at the moment. So I'm straddling the fence between caring too much and not caring enough. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879464 Fri, 05 Apr 2019 08:26:03 +0000 ttcgirl 2879464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just chiming in to say I feel your pain! We are also planning a big first birthday party in May and I also consider cancelling it whenever I get stressed about the logistics. However as others have said this is a party for us as much as for LO and we want to celebrate a great year with our friends and family! At the end of the day, kids are great at entertaining themselves and the adults are too :) I appreciate the suggestions here especially a craft for the older kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879390 Thu, 04 Apr 2019 13:53:16 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2879390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I enjoy reading aloud to LO and his buddies so I would do storytime myself, but one time I suggested DH could play his guitar and lead the kids in songs at a bday party and he wanted no part of that. As long as you’re comfortable I don’t think you need to hire a professional. </p> <p>For LO’s bday I’m doing this maracas craft and will have a few printed copies of step by step instructions taped on the craft table and the basket of supplies.</p> <p>Here’s something else to pre plan if you think it could help- I always have either a menu or food signs when I throw parties. I don’t think guests realize how draining it is to ask what’s this or that instead of just taking a little to see if they like it and come back for me if they do. I want to enjoy the party to and not just be a waiter detailing the day’s “special.”</p> <p>[attach=3033/19/ppg9su.451x600.7C33B6F6-55D5-4620-81E8-A9418372DB8B.jpeg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879387 Thu, 04 Apr 2019 13:38:20 +0000 agold 2879387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: All the hearts to you! Thank you for making me feel good about this. </p> <p>@PinkElephant: Thank you so much for making me not feel crazy about being crazy about the kids' toys. Maybe its because I've bought them and know how much they cost? I don't know. But I get crazy if I lose a piece and I know exactly how many horses and animals and ice cream toppers came with each melissa and doug set. :silly: And I am absolutely going to pick out a reward for the older kids and ask them to help clean up the yard! Fantastic idea! So funny about "active" kids. There are a few of those that are coming that are giving me the most anxiety. </p> <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Thank you so much for these great structured tips. If you did a story time, would you yourself read the book to the kids? The parties I've gone to actually hire princesses and such to do these sit down hours for the kids. So crazy. I'm not going to pay for that in addition to balloons and face painting. And thank you for focusing my thoughts - spending time on the front end so that the actual party day can be a little organized. </p> <p>@Myicitygirl: I've just added hula hoops, more bubbles and sidewalk chalk and green turtle street sign in my amazon cart now. Thank you so much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879380 Thu, 04 Apr 2019 13:09:31 +0000 Myicitygirl 2879380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think what you have planned and what others suggested will be fine. If you are at the end of a cul-de-sac, consider getting a few child-sized hula hoops for the older kids, in addition to sidewalk chalk and bubbles. </p> <p>And a couple of those “kids are playing” warning signs (the ones shaped like a kid) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879327 Thu, 04 Apr 2019 08:01:35 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2879327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A party at home especially if you take it outside certainly means inviting neighbors. 🙄</p> <p>A couple things- have a start and END time. </p> <p>Face painter and balloon twister sounds like a lot of fun especially for the older kids. I see that you’re adding a craft- wild one crowns. I’d add two more activities. Id also have a schedule of when to do what or very clear printed instructions on what to do at each activity station so parents can help their kids without bothering you. Just random backyard play stuff for when everyone has CALMLY gone through the planned activities like.</p> <p>Additional planned activities could be story time Where the Wild Things are or another adventure/fun book like the Book With No Pictures with everyone seated with a cookie and lemonade or guess/ feel the wild thing where you put four or five objects in containers and the kids put their hands in each one. If the weather is nice you can even do a DIY snow cone station and that doubles as an activity. Lot of prep on the front end and an extra hand to execute, but totally calm and can treat your home like a venue that doesn’t get trashed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879326 Thu, 04 Apr 2019 07:57:39 +0000 PinkElephant 2879326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I feel the exact same way - I care way too much about not losing pieces/keeping everything organized and together. All my "small parts" toys have their own labeled bins in a cabinet that has a child-proof latch (unfortunately my two oldest can now un-do the latch, haha). I hide fragile toys/tiny parts when we're having playdates with particularly "active" kids, or when a bunch of kids are coming over. It helps me relax if everything that's out is stuff I don't have to worry about!</p> <p>@Mrs. Champagne: Yes! Water balloons (or if stuck inside, plain balloons) will provide a ton of entertainment, and aren't really messy. The OP could even reward the bigger kids with a candy treat for picking up the little balloon pieces from the yard - cleanup sorted! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879319 Thu, 04 Apr 2019 07:00:53 +0000 Foodnerd81 2879319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: if it’s wild one, you could get little paper crowns like Max in where the wild things are to decorate with crayons and stickers. And yes to putting away toys with lots of pieces to go missing and markers etc. </p> <p>Also- yes 1st birthdays are totally more for the parents than the 1 year old, and that’s ok! Getting through that first year is momentous and should be celebrated however you see fit! (And if you see fit to celebrate with one cupcake for the birthday kid and that’s it- that’s fine. With a giant party? Also fine. Go you, you did it!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879305 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 23:30:13 +0000 agold 2879305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are all so awesome. Thank you so much for all of these tips. I can’t believe how hyped up I let myself get over this. The parties I go to are so elaborate lately. I’m a full time working mom and I seriously have no time or money for that. </p> <p>@PinkElephant: yes to putting toys away! I didn’t think of that. And now that I think of it, I’m so particular about toys and I pretty much keep track of every piece of every set every single night. I’d lose my mind to see all the toys being majorly disorganized, so I will put certain once away that I care most about. (Oh my gksh... why do I care about these toys at all? :silly: ) </p> <p>@jhd: great points. I’m going to make the entire upstairs closed off. We don’t even let my kid on the stairs by herself anyways. We just have one cousin and she’s great. But we actually want to have some of our friends over for our own enjoyment.</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: I don’t even want to think about bad weather. And great idea about a little craft. I’ll do it! </p> <p>@jape14: yes to bubbles and chalk! Thank you. And for sure a craft now. Decorating crowns sounds so cute!! I don’t even have a theme. Her invite is a “wild one” but seriously no theme. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879303 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 21:30:35 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2879303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’ve had a few backyard parties with that many kids. We do some water balloons, food, and they have a great time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879302 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 21:18:21 +0000 Mommy Finger 2879302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For DS1's first birthday, we threw a big bash in our house with no formal entertainment. It was November so we were all inside. I had at least that many kids if not more. It was a later party with dinner and really the kids just "destroyed" our toy room. And that's fine b/c they had a blast. Kids love playing with someone else's toys. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879301 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 21:08:30 +0000 irene 2879301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh boy. 15 kids of age 1-7 is NOT a low key party. Why do you do that to yourself? lol. Your own child is 1 and she probably doesn't know what's going on. So you are entertaining 15 kids for free. hmm. Who are we celebrating for here... :silly: </p> <p>At one year old we had a joint party with 3 other couples who also had a 1 yo. We did a cake smash DIY photoshoot for all the babies. And that was good. </p> <p> I hosted 7x 5 yo in my house for a "low key" party but that was too much, and mind you all of them were 5 so I only needed 1 set of entertainment to be age appropriate for everyone (we did a craft, donkey tail pin, and a yoga game, and I forgot what else). I hope you have a good yard + nice weather and you can let the kids run around in the yard and call it the day! In a way, I really wouldn't worry too much about entertaining the kids who tagged along with parents. facepainter is so generous of you. Kids are pretty good at entertaining themselves, I hope they don't trash your house in the process of doing it.</p> <p>I personally would cancel (I wouldn't even get myself into that spot actually lol) or would make it very small but I am only speaking for myself. Just shrink the size, disinvite the 4 neighbor kids, and whoever kid that tagged along with their parents just have to suck it up and play in the yard. Just blow up some balloons, provide some bubbles, provide some sidewalk chalk (if you don't mind them drawing on your driveway), provide some print out coloring sheet with some crayons, I think they will be very happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879294 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 19:13:48 +0000 jape14 2879294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For DD's first birthday we had about the same number of kids and no formal entertainment (DS lobbied hard for a bounce house but that seemed excessive for a 1-year-old party). We set up our water table, basketball hoop/soccer goal, bubbles/chalk in the backyard. Inside we had a craft (crowns to decorate - it was a royal/tea party theme) and unfettered access to other kids' toys. Honestly even when we have the bounce house parties a large number of the kids prefer to play in our playroom/finished 3rd floor. I don't mind cleaning up a mess and our neighbors/friends are good about having their kids clean up to some degree before they leave. Pro tip: hide any markers, paint, play-doh, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879288 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 17:52:30 +0000 Foodnerd81 2879288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: I think as long as you are fine with a mess after you’re fine! Lock off anywhere you don’t want the kids to go. And cross your fingers for good weather!! </p> <p>I do like to have some kind of craft set up, easy like coloring pages and crayons, to give kids something to do when they want to sit and chill. And maybe be open to the idea of a video of things start to get out of hand? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879282 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 17:40:52 +0000 jhd 2879282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have never had more than just cousins for birthday parties but I lock bedroom doors so the kids can’t get in and get more toys out. We put out toys in the living room for the kids to play with and if it’s nice they usually go out and run around in the yard. I don’t think you need anything elaborate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879281 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 17:38:37 +0000 PinkElephant 2879281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the face painter and balloon artist are totally unnecessary. I'd get some cheap bubbles/ribbon wands/chalk/balls if you plan to be outside, and a simple foam-sticker type craft (Melissa &amp; Doug kits or Oriental Trading) that you can leave out on a table or blanket for kids who want to do it, and call it a day! </p> <p>If you're inside and worried about mess, just have a few crafts/washable markers/toys without too many pieces you're okay with having out available, and put the rest away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879280 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 17:36:23 +0000 agold 2879280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you so much girls!!! I didn’t want to get a bounce house for all the differing ages of kids attending. (2 year olds, 4 year olds, 6 year olds.) and then the babies. Someone would for sure get hurt. And yes, we have a yard and toys and all that stuff. It’s just our close friends that we’ve played with on individual basis all the time. And I don’t feel like throwing an elaborate, Pinterest worthy party. Praying it all goes well and I’m bracing myself for the mess! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879270 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 16:46:30 +0000 josina 2879270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with PP's... I don't think you need entertainment, just let the kids play. Hopefully it's nice out and they can keep the mess outside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879269 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 16:37:42 +0000 erinbaderin 2879269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just had a birthday party for a three year old. I made balloon swords for all the kids and it was amazing chaos - it turned into a 20 person melee, but in a good way. I think you maybe need some kind of game or activity that more than one kid can do at a time, but, like, balls and bubbles or colouring sheets, not anything expensive or organized. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879268 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 16:31:37 +0000 LadyDi 2879268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think they’ll probably run around and make a mess regardless. I agree with @bees_knees: and just try to get them outside if it’s possible. I think a face painter and balloon twister is more than enough for a 1st birthday! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879267 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 16:21:08 +0000 bees_knees 2879267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have personally thrown eight (8!) "low-key" birthday parties (for my own children) in our home and balloon twists and face painting is more entertainment than I've ever provided (read: we provide no entertainment :silly: ) I think that would be more than fine! Do you have a fenced yard? Get some balls/balloons/bubbles/outdoor toys/whatever and just let them be kids. *shrug* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birthday-party-entertainment#post-2879265 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 16:07:42 +0000 agold 2879265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I’m a little out of the kid party know. Please help me out here... </p> <p>My girl is turning one in May and we are having a smallish party at our house. Family and a handful of our closest friends. Well, our friends have a lot of kids. So it turns out there will be 15 kids between the ages of 1 and 7. (This includes inviting 4 neighbor kids because I don’t know how to throw a party and not include the neighbor kids.) </p> <p>I was thinking of getting a face painter and a balloon twister. My sister thinks that is insufficient entertainment, and that the kids will be all over the place making a mess. So what kind of entertainment do you provide at just a low key house party? Is there such thing as a low key party when 15 kids are involved? A bounce house will be a hard sell to my husband since we have personally seen some gnarly head injuries happen in them. We live at the end of a cul de sac. What would you do? I’m strongly considering cancelling the party. </p>