Would You Do This

bhuffman

or am I crazy?

DS1 turns six in less than a month. He is adamant that he wants his party at our house.

18 kindergarteners in my house...

Obviously it would be a drop-off party and I'm thinking of having it last 2 hours. Also, we would split the kids up into 3 groups and run them through party games.

Is this crazy? Would you host that many kids at your house?

Mc_Newlywed

If you had enough adults to help and enough space - sure. Our parties are usually 11-15 kids but I keep them busy, busy, busy. So no time for shenanigans or trashing the house.

Mc_Newlywed

I should add that at the end of the party I'm usually bone tired. After prepping in the morning then being high-energy w the kids I'm typically ready for a glass of vino when it's over

fancynewbeesly

Growing up, my mom always did that. She would have the class in the basement--I think it started at pre-k for drop off. She did have "extra" adults-my aunt and uncle, my dad and one or two good friends of theirs. 

Looking back she was definitely brave, but she managed. We did have a finished basement that everyone was herded down. 

bhuffman

Hav=Fath said:

I totally would but we have the room for it, so I guess it depends on the size of your house. Also if you live close to the road or have a fenced in yard, because if you lived close to a road with no fence it's just a different ball game taking on that many kids. But I totally would here.

I think we have enough space. We have a finished basement, loft, and great room we could set the games up in. We could of course be outside, but I worry about rain.

Is it weird/too school like to do stations that I run them through? We'd all eat cake and ice cream together.

dmartin726

I would totally do it. But I'm all kinds of crazy.

babywisher

I would do it for sure! I probably wouldn't do too many things that would have them separated. They will want to be playing together.

kcisthebombdotcom

I would if I had the space and manpower

jag101

I was just explaining red rover to my dd last night. Do kids even play that one anymore, or has it fallen into the same category as bobbing for apples?

jensriot

I would not, but I wouldn't want to deal with the set up or aftermath. It has nothing to do with the part itself for me.

raraavis28

It sounds like fun! I would probably want another adult or two, though, to help out.

Hollylb3

Ditto pp's. If there was space and extra help. And I'd definitely plan on doing outside stuff.

Cherryblossoms07

No, I couldn't. If I had dependable help and the kids could spend most of the time outdoors, I might think about it. Honestly, I would be trying just about anything to change their mind. Good luck!

Spin313

How big is your house?

We had 12 kindergarteners in our house two weeks ago for DS's party... half of the moms stayed, half dropped off. It was fine and the kids had fun, but my house was destroyed with toys and game pieces everywhere.

Honestly, I think 15 kids would be my cut off inside the house, especially at that age.

bhuffman

Spin313 said:

How big is your house?

We had 12 kindergarteners in our house two weeks ago for DS's party... half of the moms stayed, half dropped off. It was fine and the kids had fun, but my house was destroyed with toys and game pieces everywhere.

Honestly, I think 15 kids would be my cut off inside the house, especially at that age.

My house is 3600 sq feet, but obviously I want to limit the areas they are in. I'd like to keep the guests contained to our finished basement, great room, and loft. I would probably do the cake in our dining room and entry way. I could set up extra tables in the entry that guests could sit at after singing happy birthday in the dining room. Now , if it is a nice day, of course I'd extend the party outdoors.
Goodness, I hope it's a fantastic spring day!!

meglew

I would consider it if I had the space, enough alcohol, and could hire someone to deep clean the day after.  :-)

vlagrl29

Nope! unless it was outside in the backyard.  We just did DD's bday party at DH's photography studio and that was only 10 kids.  I can't take the stress of all that inside our house.  Not enough room either.

notkateanymore

I don't automatically think of a K birthday party{5 or 6} as a drop off party. 

bhuffman

KateMW said:

I don't automatically think of a K birthday party{5 or 6} as a drop off party. 

Most of the ones DS has been to this year have been drop off.

ariel06

We'll probably do DS1 (who is in K)'s b-day party this summer in our house.  All the parties he's been invited to have been drop off.

bhuffman

Thanks, ladies! I am going to brave it and host it at our house. I think the extra help at our house will be a necessity and we will pray for sunshine, but plan on rain.

outnumbered

Hav=Fath said:

bhuffman said:

I totally would but we have the room for it, so I guess it depends on the size of your house. Also if you live close to the road or have a fenced in yard, because if you lived close to a road with no fence it's just a different ball game taking on that many kids. But I totally would here.

I think we have enough space. We have a finished basement, loft, and great room we could set the games up in. We could of course be outside, but I worry about rain. Is it weird/too school like to do stations that I run them through? We'd all eat cake and ice cream together.

I don't think it's weird to do stations or games like that but I don't know they'll actually use them. When I had a big Halloween party last year I had so many things set up but they played tag outside for 2 hours, we never did see the kids! And it was cold outside, so I don't know that I'll plan things like that again.

Know what would be fun? Do old school games, red rover etc.  

I would only do a party outside.  I agree with Hav that it will be hard to get 18 kids to be still enough to go through stations.  Most of the kids will show up with tons of energy and would rather be running around than organized into groups to play games separately.