[Tia Maria]

It seems like we've got a lot children's parties coming up - don't you just hate it when the kids have a better social life than yourselves? :o

Anyway I just wondered how they are organised over here.

Do you take pressies? Do they give goodie bags? Are they normally at someone's house or at a venue like the zoo? Do you take food? Do adults stay? Are siblings normally invited? Do people invite the whole class or just best friends?

Obviously I realise there are no set answers but I just wondered what everyone's experiences had been.

Also I will be organising something for my son's 6th birthday, so if you've been to any parties that were particularly good any tips would be appreciated! :nice1

Cheers

Tia

[jubjub]

I am not a great deal of use, as have only been to 1st birthdays!

Loot bags, half did them, half did not, but I guess that was more to do with age than anything else. They were all held at home, everyone took presents around the $20 - $30 value.

If you want to make a cake get the Australian Womans Weekly Childrens birthday cake book, its great, really easy, even I managed to decorate one to look good! (I can bake, but useless at the pretty stuff!) the ones from the shops are very pricey, unless you get the little ones out of Foodtown. (I think a friend paid over $100 for an Elmo cake)

I have seen parties being held at Lollipops for kiddies, and that seemed to be quite good, did not look to be that pricey either.

I think its generally just the one kiddy thats invited, not siblings, as that just gets silly with numbers.

Have fun, hopefully someone with older kids can help a bit more...

[SharpBlade]

Hi,
In our house, a birthday party is rather simple : a cake or two (that I bake), some ice cream, a good game of soccer at the park and just filling the afternoon with any other games. The kids are well able to entertain themselves without any adult help (or minimum help), they will go on the trampoline, play on the bikes, chase each other around, start building stuff with the Lego, etc..
I don`t always do the goodie bag but I did on the last two occasions. Just a few sweeties and something different like a nice shell or a "shark tooth" or stickers etc..
I like to ask the mums over for a cuppa when they collect their kids..I am allowed some fun too..
I tend to spend around 15$ for a present. A present doesn`t have to be a toy, our kid got a nice beach towel, a book, a pen, etc.. from his friends and really, it s the thought that counts. Our kids usually make their own birthday cards and so do most kiwi kids (well, the ones that I know).
However, our kids have been invited to parties held at the bowling place, the climbing centre, Science Alive and the likes. I personally wouldn`t do it.
Laura

[Tanya]

Can only speak for an older child.

Our son was 10 last week. He asked 3 boys over and we took them all to Archery for an hour,then back home. On the way home I bought them all their own pizza (they were chuffed to have a whole one to themselves) they also had sweets, biscuits and birthday cake etc. They then mucked around and also played on the PS2.

The 3 hours flew by and they all had a great time.

Last year my daughter (then 7) had a gymnastics party and invited the whole class(:roll ) - they had a eating area at gym where I bought chips from the local chip shop amongst the usual foods. It was easy as 3 instructors dealt with them for an hour and everyone (boys included) had a great time on the trampoline and beams etc.

The year before (age 6) she had a fairy party where it was all at their premises and all food was organised. THe had a blast there too.

My daughter has been to Science alive in CHCH, pony riding parties, Rock climbing,swimming parties too.

Kids here have always been given party bags and TBH they seem to be expected. I didnt do such for son last week, but I did buy them those bags of solid choc small easter eggs.

Tanya

[sizzlingbadger]

Been to so many children's parties I've lost count since being here :D

Made a rule in our house now as it started getting silly with numbers. My eldest being 6 was allowed to choose 6 of his close friends for his birthday party. Found this worked perfectly as he had time to spend with everyone and no one felt left out.

Been to some where there's so many children you lose count. Then they start feeling left out if the birthday person isn't paying them attention. It all usually turns to chaos by the end.

They all seem to have the usual party games, cake and a goody bag. The first thing my lot ask if they've got an invite is 'are there going to be goody bags ?'.

Everything comes down to personal choice though, Tanya's daughter's parties sound pretty fantastic but then I like them to be at home and in their environment.

[Tanya]

Everything comes down to personal choice though, Tanya's daughter's parties sound pretty fantastic but then I like them to be at home and in their environment.

I just can't cope with that many children in the house so that is why I tend to do them elsewhere - as you say - its a personal choice. As my sons last week was only 3 more children - that I could cope with back at home after the Archery.:laugh I am not a party planner type, doing games etc person:exit

Tanya

[shagen]

My kids have been to many birthday parties since we arrived ... usually the party is meant only for the invited "kid" but it is known for parents of younger kids to be around. It is pretty much on how well you know the host or should I say the host's family.

My son have only a small group of 3 the previous year and they had fun with some outdoor games then later adjourned indoors for some fun on the computer and PS2 and finally adjourned to MacDonalds for tea. Last year, he had a bigger group of about 8 friends over and he had a birthday party with the theme of "Splish/Splash". All had great fun with water blasters and water balloons ... and the hose and tap :yes .

My daughter however was a little "too ambitious" last year and had invited over 20 friends and it was sure chaos :wah . I think she has learnt from her mistake and have just decided on 8 friends this year :laugh . Being a smaller group we have made a booking with MacDonalds. It is pretty good, I think as they do all the organising of games, food and loot bags ... sure saves me from all the hassle of preparing food, games ... and especially the cleaning after the whole thing :raebanana .

[Tia Maria]

Thanks everyone. It looks like we'll have a reasonable amount of children coming as he's already been invited to a few this year and I'd feel bad not retrurning the invite.

If it was summer I might have done it at home as you can chuck them all in the garden, but as its winter I'll probably look for an alternative venue. If its lots I might hire the local community centre, if its a medium amount I might look into somewhere like MOTAT. Of course I have no idea of the costs, so that could change the plans!

As they get older I quite like the number=age rule, but as its his first school party we'll probably have a few more.

I'll definitely sort out Party Bags. Now can anyone bake a nice chocolate cake ........? :D

Cheers

Tia