Daughter's 5th birthday party HELP!!!!

[momma4]

Hey all, I really could use some help here. My daughters birthday is in less than 2 weeks and she wants to invite her entire class for her birthday. Anyway, I have had LOTS of flop parties where 1 or NOBODY shows. Plus we are on a tight budget. I think we have like $50 or so to work with and this includes icecream and cake. I can make icecream I am just nervous about doing homemade icecream with pretty much strangers(non family members) and I can make cake I am just worried about time slipping away from me. But if anyone knows of a cupcake design of a princess or a pony that would feed up to 25 ppl it would surely help game ideas I have so far is duck duck goose, coloring contest, and i am stuck there. I was also thinking of renting a movie that is all age approperate.

[34saving]

Well, first, I don't think it would be at all out of line to ask for RSVPs. That way you'll know how many to expect. (Around here it's more traditional to invite 5-10 closer friends, but I'm not sure what the customs are where you are ) I've found that Sam's Club (Cosco in your area?) has bakery goods and ice cream that really are good enough and cheap enough that it's often not worth trying to do homemade esp. since you feel the stress of a time crunch. If you're not a member, maybe you have a friend that is? Also, our Sam's lets you shop there without a membership, but it's a 10% premium -- it might still be worth it. I'm sure you'll get lots of good game ideas from others (my daughter is a bit young still). However, if it turns out that it's all girls who come, you might want to do a beaded (elastic) bracelet project. I think if you used the bigger beads I would work for 5 year olds? I think it also pretty cheap and kind of different.

[Tree0164]

I wouldn't invite the whole class unless there is less than 10 children. Invite several close friends. Ask for RSVP. There is nothing wrong with that. Keep the party to 2-3 hrs.

You can make a cake. Do a sheet cake and get the decorations from the store for a princess.

You can have the girls do each other's hair like a princess, watch the princess diaries movies, play musical chairs.

[Bluezy]

Try here:

Amazing Moms

For party supplies, try here:

Birthday Express

Perhaps Birthday Express has some sale items. Hope this helps.

[pennywise]

Even at 5 it is time to learn to budget. She must pick only the number of guest you specify. Here is a great idea and time saver for you. The kids love to decorate their own cupcakes. Just make cupcakes and put out the frosting with different sprinkles. Put a candle on your dtrs for the song. The kids love twister, too (see if you can borrow). 3 hours for a party is good. At 5 put out pages to color with crayons, they like to color to. These are set up on card tables for them to stand around and do, gives some togetherness. These ideas should not cost much and are simple. Go outside and play red light/green light if you have a large lawn. Don't forget another time classic; mother may I. You are lucky the weather is nice so you can do a lot outside. A jug with clothes pins, have them kneel on a chair and drop the clothes pins in the jug. Tag team games and war with the rope. This age is wonderful, because they entertain so easily. Why make it hard on yourself?

[pennywise]

Oh, I just keep forgetting (but I am a woman so it is allowed) - Disney's internet site usually has ideas - check it out.

[dwilliams12]

Here are some websites that may assist with your birthday party planning..Lots of great ideas for frugal parties and games at:
http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com


Cakes/cookie recipes and projects:
http://www.wilton.com/

Hope this helps!

[momma4]

oh thank you all for the ideas I hope this party will be a hit I have not had one yet go well. I am thinking we are going to have her just invite the girls and do a girly theme like princesses or something like that and they can watch a princess movie (ie. snow white, sleeping beauty, little mermaid or something ) there are only 9 girls in her class so that don't seem to be too many plus all of us of course which there is 6 of us and she wanted a few ppl from church will pretty much pack my house LOL. Wow only a week to go we are handing out invites tomorrow hopefully we have a good turn out next Saturday.

[Scamper]

KID’S GAMES FOR A PARTY PART 1

STAY ON THE BLANKET.
Lay a blanket out flat on the ground. Every one has to get on the blanket, as soon as someone blows a whistle. If their not, or fall off , their out. Keep folding a piece of the blanket each time, making it harder to get on. Or do it with newspapers.

BALLOON TOSS
The person it has to throw a water balloon up into the air. Now you have to appoint four people to a team. Each of the four people have to grab a corner of a sheet, and run and try to catch the balloon on the sheet. The one that catches it before it hits the ground wins.

COLORED PANTS.
Someone counts to 20. Then he yells out a color. You have to run and find someone wearing that color. You are then safe before he catches you.

GRAPEVINE.
Form a circle. Someone starts a message around. When it gets back to the one, next to the person that started it, she has to repeat what she heard.

BIRD’S OF A FEATHER.
The person that’s it calls out things with feathers. Every one surrounding him, has to flop their wings. Now if he calls out things without feathers, and you’re caught flopping you’re out.

SPUD.
Every one is given a number. Now the person it, throws a ball into the air. Then he calls out a number. That person has to try and catch the ball. The rest run and hide. .When he catches it, he hollers Spud. All freeze, and he tries to hit someone with it. If he does that person switches places with him. Then a new game starts

SARDINE.
One person is the sardine. He runs and hides while the rest , blind their eyes and count to 20. Then everybody has to run an find the sardine. When they find him they hide with him, until only one person is left. Do not make any noise when you find the sardine.

[no_more_oilily]

We have done the braclet making but with lollies (I think you guys call it candy or sweets?) that had holes in them like life savers etc and just thread on a piece of elastic and knotted.
They were a HUGE hit!
I have also done a 3 tiered pink and white cake for little cost-first layer was just a round size,the next was made in a tin slightly smaller and the 3rd (the top layer) was made in a family sized canned fish tin(after being washed,soaked and then boiled clean and free from any fish smell).
I then iced it (make sure to make the cake a day before as the icing/frosting doesnt stick very well if iced on the day) in pink and white and omg it looked amazing and so posh!..lol

[kealina]

sorry i don't have kids so this is all from my little cousins and babysitting...
don't forget to check out the local dollar store for ideas... they might have a kids section with stuff like a tiara or other fun dress up stuff...if you do any dress up though make sure to get pictures of all the kids...

i like the beaded bracelet idea, the coloring...i used to love coloring....

[Scamper]

Kid’s Party Games Part 2

Balloon Bust.
Two teams. Tie a balloon around each child’s ankle. Both teams stand in the middle. Now the object of the game is to try, to break the other teams balloons .The team that breaks the most wins.

Hot Potato.
Everyone sits in a circle. A ball is past around. You need to get rid of the ball, before the music stops. . The one holding the ball ,when the music stops is out. Continues till only one winner left.

Dodger.
Form a circle.
Two teams. stand across from one another. One team has the ball. A player has to throw the ball across ,to an opponent on the other side. If he misses he’s out. Keep backing up after each throw. One winner left. at the end.

Tie The Knot.
Form a circle. Then cross over and hold someone’s hands. Hang on tight. Then some one is appointed doc. He stands in the center. A couple yells out doc doc we need help. Doc rushes over to try to get their hands apart. If he can’t some other couple yells
It. Goes on until doc can untie the knock. Then he picks one of the people to be the doc.

Shoe Twister.
Everybody puts their shoes in a pile. Then they walk around in a circle three times. They quick sit down and try to find their shoes, then dress their feet. One winner.

Wet Balloons.
Two teams stand across from one another. Then one team is given balloons filled with water. They toss them across to the opposite team, and they have to catch them. If they drop them, the two players are out. Each time a throw is made, the players step back 1 foot. Wear bathing suits for this. One couple left wins.

Turtle Feet.
One person is it ,and counts to 20. Then tries to catch the others running from him. They can not start running until he is finished counting. Then the only way you will be safe is on the ground, with your feet in the air.

Frosty toes.
Every one sits in a circle barefooted. Then some marbles are tossed into a pan of ice water. Each person has to try an take the marbles out with their toes. One winner.

Toothpicks.

Two teams. Each team is given toothpicks. Then they put the pick in their mouths. They pass a small marshmallow to another team player, until you get a winning team. If you drop it you’re out.

Broom Stick Relay.
Two teams. One player from each team sits on a broom. One tries to run one way, while the other tries to run another way. The first one to get to the finished line, runs back with the stick.. Then two more go. . The team that gets the most players to the finished line wins.

[cschin4]

Did you have the party yet? Actually, just keep things simple. 2 hours max! That is long enough for a party. And, keep the food simple. Cupcakes and juice boxes. Little kids like to get gift bags so I used to get some things at the dollar store for the kids. I quit doing that when my kids got older. The peak birthday times are between 5 to 8. So, just have the parties, let your child go to friend's parties, and have fun. This drops off significantly as they get older.
I have had assorted parties for my kids. I actually prefer to take the kids out even though it costs more. We rent our local YMCA for 2-3 hrs and it includes the use of the pool and a party room. I usually just get pizza and the kids have a great time. I have also had small parties at McD's (better for smaller kids as older ones tend to want to run around) and the movies. I really don't mind spending a few bucks and we have all had alot of fun.
Just making the day special is what counts. I always "set" the table with table cloth, etc for my child's birthday dinner. He/she gets to choose the menu, I cook it and then we have a small party for my child with just us. They enjoy that as well.

[meenah]

hope the party was fun. i always look for clearance sales after holidays for items that work for other things, i got a bunch of plastic table clothes after easter for $0.19 each and have since used 2 yellow ones for potlucks. i have pink ones and blue ones waiting for my SILs baby shower. colored easter grass mixed together worked great for the table at a potluck party at work. i also found little gift boxes on "easter" clearance for pennies.. but they werent "easter-y" just pastel colors. could be used for goodie "bags"
for my godsons 1st birthday we got a bag of napkins hats and plates for a dollar at value-village.