Halloween Party Question - WWYD?

[DisneyMom81]

I'm trying to get ideas on what time to do this....... I'm throwing a little halloween party for my DDs pre-school class (and a few neighbor kids) at my house. We have to do it on a Sunday (Now thinking of doing it on Friday). I want it to be a little "spooky" so I wanted to have it later in the afternoon, about 5pm-7:30pm or 8pm.

So my question is - Would you allow your child to go to a party from 5-8pm on a Sunday, or do you think thats to late on a school night?

 

[mickeyboat]

That would be a little late for my DDs, as their bedtime (they are 9 & 10) is 8PM on school nights.

Don't forget that little kids are "spooked" very easily, and that spooky stuff during the daytime might scare them less than in the evening.

Also, are you planning to serve a meal? I would probably expect one at a party between 5 and 8PM.

3 hours might be little long IMO for a little kid party.

Are you inviting parents to stay?

I would probably allow them to go, but I would probably complain a bit about it. KWIM?

Hope you have a great time!

 

[sallysmom]

If you're talking preschool age, I would be careful with the "spooky" aspect of it. My DD has a close friend and their family has a traditional after-school Halloween party with kids and parents.

They get a big bouncy castle, the kids play games outside (depending on weather) and serve casual food like sandwiches, chips, fruit, etc. We all bring one thing to help out. Then when it starts to get dark, the big kids take the little kids door to door just in that neighborhood. It's all over by 7 or so at the latest.

But if you're having a Halloween party for kids that young, I would expect parents to be invited also. And maybe have it over by 7 at the latest. You will need some time to get the young ones settled down on a school night, especially after a party.

 

[beattyfamily]

Since you are talking about pre-school...

I picked yes, if I could stay....BUT I would prefer it to end by 7:00p at the latest since it's a school night and since they are so young.

 

[DisneyMom81]

That would be a little late for my DDs, as their bedtime (they are 9 & 10) is 8PM on school nights.

Don't forget that little kids are "spooked" very easily, and that spooky stuff during the daytime might scare them less than in the evening.

Also, are you planning to serve a meal? I would probably expect one at a party between 5 and 8PM.

3 hours might be little long IMO for a little kid party.

Are you inviting parents to stay?

I would probably allow them to go, but I would probably complain a bit about it. KWIM?

Hope you have a great time!

WOW - Fast answer!

To answer a few of your questions..... Yes, I would be serving food, I do realize that its durring a meal hour, and I always over do with food and decor!!!
As far as spooky - I know kids get freeked out easily - my DDs sure do!!! I just wanted to have some orange christmas lights, and they won't really work unless its dark out. I know it is late, and I have no problem doing it from say 4-6 or something like that, just thought it would be more fun to be later. I would LOVE to be able to do it on the Saturday, but we have plans.


ETA - I really hope parents DO stay. It makes it easier on me, plus it will be a good way to get to know everyone in the class. I would stay if it were us being invited to a party.

 

[KAMKIM]

We typically dont do parties on Sundays because its our get the house organized and back on track day for the following week - I say 8 is too late. I understand you want the lights to look better, but orange lights aren't a good reason to keep kids up past their bedtime

Maybe have it Friday night? I know I'm more relaxed with my kids schedule on non school nights.

 

[KAMKIM]

Also I think 3 hours is a long time for preschoolers - what about 5-6:30?

 

[DisneyMom81]

We typically dont do parties on Sundays because its our get the house organized and back on track day for the following week - I say 8 is too late. I understand you want the lights to look better, but orange lights aren't a good reason to keep kids up past their bedtime

Maybe have it Friday night? I know I'm more relaxed with my kids schedule on non school nights.

Wow - thats an idea I never thought of!!! If we did it on Friday the 30th they will all be in the costumes already because they have their school parade that day. Plus DH is off that Friday. You may be on to something there KAMKIM!!!!!! Now I'm super excited!!! I'm such a halloween dork!


ETA - What about parents that have to work.... they may not be able to get there in time..... Still thinking....

 

[laurie31]

Friday night is a great idea! My kids also had to be IN BED by 8:00 at that age, meaning teeth brushed, story read, lights out. Otherwise, the next morning was going to be very unpleasant. On a Friday night, it would be okay to stay up later, since they could sleep in on Saturday.

Also, your party sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun, so I doubt a child could get home and go straight to bed afterwards. (not that they would be scared, but that they would be excited, from having a good time.)

Plus, for me, once Halloween is over, it's over. I wouldn't want to go to a Christmas party on Dec 26th either - lol.

ETA - I read your thoughts about working parents. Have the party from 6-8. Three hours is way too long. I don't even have birthday parties for that long. My DD will be turning 11 next month and she will have a 2 hour party.

 

[DisneyMom81]

Friday night is a great idea! My kids also had to be IN BED by 8:00 at that age, meaning teeth brushed, story read, lights out. Otherwise, the next morning was going to be very unpleasant. On a Friday night, it would be okay to stay up later, since they could sleep in on Saturday.

Also, your party sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun, so I doubt a child could get home and go straight to bed afterwards. (not that they would be scared, but that they would be excited, from having a good time.)

Plus, for me, once Halloween is over, it's over. I wouldn't want to go to a Christmas party on Dec 26th either - lol.

ETA - I read your thoughts about working parents. Have the party from 6-8. Three hours is way too long. I don't even have birthday parties for that long. My DD will be turning 11 next month and she will have a 2 hour party.

Two things..... First of all, when I said we were going to do it Sunday, I ment the Sunday BEFORE Halloween, not after!!!!!
Second, I would only do about a 2 hour party - those who want to stay later, can, and those who want to leave, can. Especially if I'm starting it so late - I don't want it to become a sleep over!!!!

 

[Rora]

Disneymom81- I think a Friday party would be great!! Invite the parents to stay and have a good time.

As an elementary school teacher I thank you for NOT having your party on a Sunday night. The poor babies will be tired and on a sugar rush the next day.

Happy Planning!

 

[KAMKIM]

Wow - thats an idea I never thought of!!! If we did it on Friday the 30th they will all be in the costumes already because they have their school parade that day. Plus DH is off that Friday. You may be on to something there KAMKIM!!!!!! Now I'm super excited!!! I'm such a halloween dork!


ETA - What about parents that have to work.... they may not be able to get there in time..... Still thinking....

If you are having pizza or something and plan on having the parents stay anyways it makes their time after work easier any how....if I know we'll be eating at a party I dont have to worry about getting dinner - just getting to the party. I love Halloween too! do 6-8 or 6:30-8:00 that should give them plenty of time to get ready and head over..

 

[laurie31]

Two things..... First of all, when I said we were going to do it Sunday, I ment the Sunday BEFORE Halloween, not after!!!!!
Second, I would only do about a 2 hour party - those who want to stay later, can, and those who want to leave, can. Especially if I'm starting it so late - I don't want it to become a sleep over!!!!

Oh! *blush* I was just thinking since you said you couldn't do it on Saturday you would do it the next day. I assumed the Saturday you meant was Halloween. The dreaded "assume" thing - lol!

I hope you have a great party!

 

[krcit]

I know that even though my kids are a little older now(8, 11, 14) I still wouldn't love a party on a school night, lol. I think the Friday night is a good idea. I would make sure that the parents know that they are invited, put it on the invitation. I hope your party is a lot of fun!!

 

[JessicaR]

The Friday night idea is a good one!

Hope you have a great party.

 

[DisneyMom81]

Here are my party ideas so far. Let me know what you think!


Hallow out an orange for each child, and cut it to look like a jack-o-lantern (I did one today - came out awesome!) and stick some veggies in there.

Cemetery Dip. Make a half tray of some kind of dip (humus maybe) and dye it green. Then stick some square crackers in there, and write RIP on then in edible pen. Also stick some long celery sticks in there for trees.

(I know the two things above will probably NEVER get eaten other than by the parents standing there, but they are so cute, I just have to make them!)

Make eyeballs on a stick with doughnut holes. Dip them in white chocolate, put a chocolate chip in the center, then red chocolate veins coming out. I'm going to stick them into green florist foam and then have some red goo coming down.

Slime drink. Throw some gummy fish and worms in there, and some tapioca balls. The actual drink is just lemonade and seltzer.

Pizza with a spider on each slice.

I have tall vases and I'm going to throw candy in there for the center of the table - the kids can take it in their goodie bags (I'm going to make something) at the end of the party.


As far as games...... I want to do a pin the nose on the pumpkin, but I will probably need to make that myself. I want to do a bean bag toss, but again, I have to see what I find.

Open to any and all suggestions!!!!!

 

[Rora]

Your ideas sound great!!

How about a "Haunted Forest" (if you have enough trees) where donuts (hanging from string) are mysterious levitating!! The kids have to use their mouths, no hands, to get them off the string.

Also, if you have the time/money/patience, how about making t-shirts with the kids?? Have Halloween shaped sponges and orange and black paint. Let them dip sponges into the paint and then sponge it onto a shirt that they can take home.

How about a Costume Contest (weren't the kids coming in their costumes?) where everyone gets a prize (candy, pumpkin, etc) for their costume (this will take some quick thinking on your part because you won't be able to create a category for each costume til they get there).

Good luck!!

 

[DisneyMom81]

Your ideas sound great!!

How about a "Haunted Forest" (if you have enough trees) where donuts (hanging from string) are mysterious levitating!! The kids have to use their mouths, no hands, to get them off the string.

Also, if you have the time/money/patience, how about making t-shirts with the kids?? Have Halloween shaped sponges and orange and black paint. Let them dip sponges into the paint and then sponge it onto a shirt that they can take home.

How about a Costume Contest (weren't the kids coming in their costumes?) where everyone gets a prize (candy, pumpkin, etc) for their costume (this will take some quick thinking on your part because you won't be able to create a category for each costume til they get there).

Good luck!!

Someone had mentioned the donuts on a string to me before - only problem is we don't have any trees. We could do it on a stick or something, but the neighbors may think were a bit strange!!!!!!

The shirt thing is fun, but at this age, I don't want to to responcible for anything like that. To messy, to much time involved, and it will be up there in price.

The kids will be (hopefully) coming in their costumes (I'm going to ask them to wear them in the invitation), so a costume contest will be great. Coming up with all different categories for each kid may be hard, but it will be fun too!

I was thinking about doing "stations" of different fun games/projects, and having an adult at each station, but I think that may be to difficult - a kid may not get to do everything, and get upset, etc. Maybe just a few little fun things that everyone does together, and thats it. Good thing I have a month + to figure it out!!!!

 

[5 'LIL *TWINKERS*]

I too would be careful about the "spookiness". When dd6 was a preschooler, she was FREAKEDOUT from some of the costumes. Alot of the party time was spent explaining to the scared kids, that its just costumes.

I would have to decline a party on a school night just because we are so busy from dinner to bedtime. And kids are in bed at 7:30 on school nights

The party sounds like fun, maybe on a Friday early evening or Saturday in the afternoon. HAVE FUN!

 

[KAMKIM]

At our halloween party we have mummy races I buy toilet paper from the dollar store - give each kid 1 adult to wrap like a mummy...who ever wraps their mummy the fastest wins.