need ideas for fun stuff for kids to do at 1st communion party

[cepmom]

We're having a party for DD7's first communion next month. We'll be inviting mostly family and a few close friends and their children. Because our house is so small, we rented a room at an Elks hall in town to host the party in. I need ideas for entertainment for all the kids since we won't have any toys or playthings like we would normally have in our home. There is a wide range of ages ~ starting at 1 year old up to 15 years old and everything in between! Any ideas of fun things to do or give the kids to keep them happy? I am terrible at this sort of thing ~ please help!!

 

[gina2000]

Hire a magician. Everyone from children to adults love them and the kids usually are part of the show.

 

[bsnyder]

Gina's idea is a great one. We had one at our church picnic on Sunday and he was simply amazing! Everyone, from grandmas to toddlers were just enthralled.

He levitated one of DD's friends. I STILL can't figure out how he did it!

 

[cepmom]

thanks for the quick replies...I will have to look into something like that. I am trying to keep the cost down, so that will be a factor too. Kepp the ideas coming!

 

[clh2]

Does anyone nearby rent any of those inflatable "jump-in" things? This website only sells them, but I'm including it so you could at least figure out what I am talking about. INFLATABLE THINGS When we lived in the Chicago suburbs, a local Ace Hardware Store rented them.

Good Luck!

 

[funhouse8]

My daughter works for a clown who is also very entertaining to all ages. She does magic, jolkes, face painted, balloon animals and will bring sand art or spin art for a little extra.

With my kids I always kept a table with coloring books, crayons and paper. The younger ones seemed to enjoy this.

I also was thinking of maybe hiring a DJ. If you hire a local kid from the schools DJ club (if they have one) It shouldn't be expensive and you could even have them play some games.

Maybe give the teens that are coming a job of keeping the young ones busy. They could play games, do face painting, and balloon animals. Call them in advance and offer to pay them some money to do this and I bet you won't be disappointed. You can buy a pump & balloons with a book on how to make them at your local party store.

Good luck and may God Bless her on her special day!

 

[kasar]

Is there a yard or grassy area nearby? I would get some hula hoops and jump ropes for contests or relay races. Some wiffle balls and bats, too.

I like the Jumparoo idea - kids can stay in those things for hours.

If you have a table to spare you could set up some board games or activities like jewelry beading or lego building contests.

 

[delilah]

We had DS7's BD party at a pizza place that had video games in the booth. Since there was only on video game per booth, and 4-6 kids per booth, we also brought bingo. Those kids loved bingo! I should have forgotten the video games and just had bingo. All the kids were crowded together (there were 17 at the party) to sit in two booths to play. We got are supplies at an art and education store, which sells pads of cards, and used crayons to mark off numbers as called.

 

[KelNottAt]

Karioke is always a big hit with kids and grown-ups alike. But you have to invest in a good one through rental. From what I've seen, the ones you can buy these days are poorer quality and fewer songs.

 

[cepmom]

thanks again for all of your great suggestions. I would love to be able to rent a jump house, except that the hall where we are having the party doesn't have a place to put it. There is a dance floor though, so maybe hula hoops would be fun for them. The coloring books and crayons are always good ~ I rely on that idea a lot. My DD15 is a dancer, so I'll talk with her and see if she wants to engage the kids in a dance contest or something like that. I think I'll take a look on Oriental Trading for some party ideas that might work too.

I only wish our house was bigger then we wouldn't have to worry about entertaining the kids!! We have enough toys etc at home to entertain twice as many kids than are actually invited!