5 year old's birthday party????

Alana - posted on 01/05/2009

Ever since my boys (now 13 and 12) were 3 and 4, we have had it at my parent's home (which has an inground pool). They would get to each invite their friends, and our invites always say "Siblings welcome"...as the parents of boys 1 yr and 2 days apart, the boys have a lot of the same friends. If the b-day falls in a colder month, you can always use your local YMCA (ours has an indoor waterslide!), inexpensive, especially if you are members...kids can bring floaties. If your child isn't a big swimmer, our Y also has an indoor climbing wall, and offers a 1 hr climbing b-day party, and then you get to use a room for cake, presents and games. Best of both worlds! Good luck!

Jenie - posted on 01/05/2009

we did a back yard circus for our 7yr olds party in Aug. it wasd a blast!! i home made game booths and bought "prizes" in bulk from Oriental Trading Co. we rented a bounce house and cotton candy machine (total was $90 for the day) and served popcorn and hot dogs. we had a blast as did the kids and adults! i got some friends to pitch in and help out by "running" the different game booths and one did balloon animals and face painting. cake, food, decorations and all, we sppent about $200. oh and did i mention we had over 75 guests? not too bad!

Virginia - posted on 01/05/2009

We had a pirate party in a county park for our twin boys' 5th birthday last July. It was fun and inexpensive (no site fee, self-catered, cheap decorations and prizes), but both my husband (activity planner/leader) and I (food/logistics) were super-busy the whole time. Maybe you could delegate tasks to other adults or teens in your "enormous" family. Also note, what had previously seemed a short downhill walk from the parking lot to the picnic site nearest the playground turned out to be pretty long and strenuous when we had lots of stuff to carry on a hot, hot day, so think carefully about all the time, money and effort that will be involved and what tradeoffs really make sense for you. We had a great time, but I think I'll go for an indoor (climate-controlled) venue this year, and no hauling supplies beyond a very close parking space.

Carren - posted on 01/02/2009

We attending a party, pirate treasure hunt, in a local park. It was great & the kids did lots of running and digging.

Pamela - posted on 01/02/2009

A recreation center in your area ..... they have wonderful options, like a swimming party or a sports party. The price usually includes balloons, decorations, cake, drinks, 1 1/2 hour room rental AND an activity for the children. (ie. swimming .....) Just a thought :)

Jennifer - posted on 01/02/2009

We had my son's b-day party at Mc Donald's this year. We paid about $80 for happy meals for all the kids and double cheese burgers/french fries/ drinks for the adults. This was by far the easiest and cheapest party we've done so far.

Tara - posted on 01/02/2009

We did a scavenger hunt with little dollar store treats around the yard. We made maps for each of the kids and sent them around with clues and activities to complete at each location. It was lots of fun, something a little different, and the kids all had goodie bags by the end of it. Do you have a sandbox or sprinkler and slip and slide (if a summer party)? These seem to provide endless entertainment. Good luck.

Terri - posted on 12/30/2008

My son recently went to a birthday party for a classmate at a Gymboree and it was pretty nice. They played games and had activities for the kids. The cake was set up in a separate room from the play area.

Angela - posted on 12/30/2008

go to birthdaypartyideas.com its great!!! look up a theme and ck out what other people have done for thier kids it's great!!

Tamar - posted on 12/30/2008

Just have it at your local pool it only charges like $2 per child swimming and you can take along your bbq stuff and have a sausage sizzle there kids will have a ball. You could make it a theme party too Beach wear!

Heather - posted on 12/30/2008

Do you have a bounce place near you? My boys love going to Bounce Town or Pump it Up. We have had both their parties there. Places like that usually base their price on 20 kids. So matter how many you have up to 20, you are paying for 20 and then an additional cost for each kid after you reach 20. And no charge for the adults. It's usually a set price at around $200. And they do everything and you don't have the clean up!! Some places offer to supply the cake, favor bags, etc at an additional cost or you can supply your own. But I love having their parties there! It wears them out and all you really just have to sit back and watch the kids play.