Now what? I need your help!!!

[mrsltg]

Hi All-

We are celebrating dd's 6th birthday this weekend with a costume party at our home. DD invited all of the girls in her class (16), a few from her dance class (3), neighbors (5), friend from daycare (1), friends of parents (5), assorted siblings of these children (3), and adult friends, parents, and family (around 30). Well, the RSVP date came and went (10/21) and the only people I heard from were family, adult friends and their kids, and a handful of other kids. Last night it apparently dawned on everyone to call me and say indeed, they were coming. We're talking in the neighborhood of 60 people here. Where is the smiley of the mom pooping in her pants????

I have a few games but generally let the party lead itself as these kids are between the ages of 1 and 9 (with one 11 year old sprinkled in for good measure). Should I try to structure it more or should I just let the kids have fun in the playroom and the backyard?

Now, food. The party is at 3. I was planning on all finger food and lots of treats (Halloween party). I don't know why I suddenly find this unacceptable? I mean, I had 30 people coming and finger food seemed appropriate but now with 60 people I feel like I should serve tenderloin???? Ok, so please suggest some things that are good and easy to serve. I am planning on having all of the food out when the party begins so I can enjoy as well.

Someone, please, HELP!!!

 

[AtlantaSue]

My first thought is that the party is at 3 - so no one is going to show up expecting a full meal! Finger food and treats sounds fine to me. Good luck w/ everything.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How many kids?
I would think you need to recruit some people to help and I would add alot of structure.
Call some mom's and say help!!!!! Perhaps some of them can bring a "Halloween game" to run, to those that are close and would like to help.

 

[DisneyArk]

Hang in there! The RSVP problem for kids' birthday parties is really a pain for the mother planning the party.

You might want to have a few activities that are optional. What about having a few relay race type events.
- Line up the kids in a few lines and have them pass a small pumpkin over their head and then between their legs until it gets to the back of the line. Then the person at the back of the line runs to the front. Keep doing that until the original person is back at the front of the line.
- Maybe a game where the kids toss pingpong balls into buckets or pumpkins (the kind you take trick-or-treating).

I think snacks sound perfect at 3:00 (no meal needed).

 

[Fionasmommy]

Wow! It sounds like your party doubled in size overnight - no wonder you're stressed!

I think the finger food is totally fine, and with the Halloween theme it will be really fun. Obviously you'll have to make a bit more of it, but it will be very cute and add to the theming of the party.

For activites, I'd plan a few more games if you can. Crafts might be even better! You could have them decorate trick or treat bags, paint pumpkins, or pick up a few of those Halloween foam craft kits at Target. Are you doing a pinata? If not, the pinata and decorated trick or treat bags would work well together, and that could be part of the goody bag too.

Halloween parties are so much fun! I'm sure you'll find plenty for the kids to do, and they always love playing together so if they end up spending a lot of time doing that I doubt they'll even notice.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You could do 2 pinatas...older kids and younger kids. You really can get alot of mileage out of pinatas and the kids always love them!

 

[Keli]

I would go with more structure and also recruit some moms to help. If as the party is going a long it becomes apparent that the kids are playing well together and you have to pull them away from playing for an activity then you can play it by ear. But I would definitely have a plan. A least three to four games or activites. You can always drop one if everyone is having too much fun playing.

 

[mrsltg]

Thanks, all, for the suggestions. I think a pumpkin relay sounds really cute. Unfortunately we were at a party where they had an unfortunate pinata accident (large stick and child's face met unexpectedly!) and dh has sworn them off - he really is no fun...

I will stick with finger foods and have even enlisted a girlfriend to bake another batch of cupcakes for me. I know my dd will love the party and that's really what counts!

 

[budbeerlady]

Activities!!!!! Let the kids decorate their cupcakes, get gummy worms, candy corn, sprinkles, etc. This will kill about 10-15 min and then they can eat them. I didnt even frost mine, I let the girls frost their own (bought 1 tub of choc and 1 of vanilla) and it was a big hit! Get some cheap pumkins and see who can through it the farthest? Do pumpkin bowling? Paint a pumpkin?

Stick to the finger foods. I did crackers and cheese cubes, cookies, cupcakes, oreos, goldfish crackers, etc. And I bought Capri Sun juice pouches.

Good luck, it will be a fun party!

 

[golfgal]

Well, for ME, I would plan a lot of outdoor activities for the kids. You could hide some pumpkins or those little black cauldrons with candy and have the kids find them, like an Easter Egg hunt. Various games of tag are good. Some relay type races are always fun. I LOVE the idea of decorating T or T bags. You could get some canvas bags at a craft store along with some fabric paints and do dads and let the kids go to town on those. You could have a tarp set up outside for this activity too. If you also have a supply of playground balls, jump ropes and sidewalk chalk, the kids will keep busy too.

Family Fun magazine always has GREAT holiday food ideas. Look them up on the web for some good finger food ideas. I think finger foods are a great idea too.

 

[tiki23]

I 2nd the "decorate your own cupcake" idea. We did this at DD's 8th bday party ( there were 27 kids, myself and another Mom ) and it was a huge hit!