Keeping kids entertained at grown up party

LittleMrsThrifty

I am organising a wedding anniversary party for my parents. When I booked the venue, I thought it would be an evening, adult only affair. Then they asked if we could have it in the afternoon and invite children. This was fine by me and the venue agreed, but the venue isn’t particularly child friendly so I need to think how I can keep them entertained. There is some outside space but it’s not enclosed and it is a hard surface. Plus of course it may be bad weather. The party is already costing me a fortune so needs to be as cheap as possible. My current plan is:

Giant Connect Four (already have)
Giant Os and Xs (can borrow)
Inflatable Balls (outside only - already have)
Two pop up play houses (£10 ish each, ebay)
Bubbles (pound shop)
Giant chalk (outside only - poundshop)
Colouring pencils and books (poundshop)

So above is about £25 which is all fine and I can probably sell on the playhouses afterwards or give them to a friend with kids. I then thought I would raid the poundshop and try to buy each child a small present to give them when they arrive to keep them occupied. So thinking about an activity or sticker book, or a jigsaw …. Something like that. This is where I’d really appreciate some help. I already have 15 kids confirmed of all ages. How old are your children, what gender, and what poundshop item would keep them entertained? And is there anything else I need to think of? I’d be grateful for any help.

Thanks in advance

LMT

GlasweJen

I'd check with the venue re. the outdoor chalk.

At my sisters wedding the kids table had activities on it, she picked them up from pound shops and things but they were easy crafts that didn't need an adult to help constantly, colouring books and pencils, and board games. It poured down with rain so she was happy that she'd planned mostly inside activities for them.

LittleMrsThrifty

Thanks. Good point about the chalk.

I'll definitely do a colouring table. I'd like to be able to buy each child a little gift (so could be the poundshop/supermarket version of Guess Who, or similar). The trouble is I just don't know what to buy!

GlasweJen

my sister had masks (like masquerade ball masks) that the kids decorated and could take home with them as the kids favours (all girls) that way they were entertained and didn't need a "proper" favour.

caprikid1

Loom band kits were a hit.

flea72

Tbh i wouldnt give them anything that isnt a sit down activity otherwise it encourages them to run about and throw stuff. As a parent i wouldnt be happy for them to have anything that wld mark clothes either, so pencils only, no pens, chalk, paint, glue. Its really nice that you are thinking of guests, but i find access to their parents phone is what keeps most kids quiet nowadays, as they can play games or watch films. Depending on age of kids and espec if boys, setting up playstation/xbox wld prob be best option

tyllwyd

For craft type stuff, yellow moon is good
https://www.yellowmoon.org.uk/


For older kids, something like a pub quiz round might keep them busy for a while? I gave some 12 year old girls a sheet of dingbats to solve, and that took about 20 minutes.


If you've got younger kids, it does go better if you have people to supervise - are there any teenagers who can be bribed to look after a craft table?

Double_V

Bouncy castle, and also if you have a projector and a laptop just play kids movies.
Bouncy castle are like £20 a day.
Frozen and Cars was a great hit.

LittleMrsThrifty

Double_V wrote: »

Bouncy castle, and also if you have a projector and a laptop just play kids movies.
Bouncy castle are like £20 a day.
Frozen and Cars was a great hit.

Thanks. I would love a bouncy castle but as it's a hard surface I presume they can't peg it down?

Mrs_Soup

You can put a bouncy castle on a hard surface as it can be held down with sandbags. You would need an outdoor electrical point though or a long extension cable.

LittleMrsThrifty

Mrs_Soup wrote: »

You can put a bouncy castle on a hard surface as it can be held down with sandbags. You would need an outdoor electrical point though or a long extension cable.

Thank you, perhaps I could have one in that case. I will need to look at the electricity situation though as I recall that the space is quite far from the door and obvioulsy I don't want a trailing wire.