Help entertain the kids at our party!

September 24, 2006 5:03 AM

Please help quick! Need something to entertain 10-15 kids at a party this afternoon...original plans fell through due to rain.

Our co-ed BBQ/kegger/baby shower is at 3PM EST today, and due to the overwhelming chance of rain and thunderstorms, we had to cancel the moonbounce we had ordered for the kids. We're expecting between 10-15 children, ranging in age from 2-12 (mostly in the 3-7 range though), plus about 50 adults. We're suddenly having to move most of the party either inside the house or under a tent. The only people really into the kids, or supervising them, are their parents.

Any ideas for something to keep the munchkins entertained? We'd promised the moonbounce so I need something comparably fun for the age range mentioned. Cost really isn't an object, we just need to be able to have something set by 3:00 PM. If it makes a difference, we're in the suburbs of MD, outside Washington, DC.

posted by justonegirl to grab bag (9 comments total)

How many tvs do you have? a videogame competition might entertain some of them.

Nerf guns.

Twister, as well. with prizes. Hie thee to toys r us!
posted by By The Grace of God at 5:19 AM on September 24, 2006

What we've found is that kids are GREAT at entertaining themselves. Whenever we tried to choreograph indoor parties our plans were not necessary. But I know that a backup plan might be in good order (in other words, play it by ear, see what happens but have a few things ready if there is a lull).

With that in mind go out and get the traditional "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" game. Have some kids videos ready. Also have some paper and crayons ready.

All of these are simple, easy to get on a Sunday, and will make whatever plans you come up with a little less stressful.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 5:42 AM on September 24, 2006

Go old school. Musical chairs, the aformentioned donkey, hot potato etc. Get the older kids to run the games to keep them interested.
posted by Gungho at 5:45 AM on September 24, 2006

birthdaypartyideas.com may be your salvation; personally, I recommend their Scavenger Hunt Party section. And order tons of pizza, in all possible combinations and flavors. If everybody gets a bellyful of pizza early on, some are going to take naps. Stick to Gatorade, bottled water and juices as drinks, as you don't want to put caffiene into the crowd. Put the nappers off in a quiet room for sleepers, and count your blessings.
posted by paulsc at 6:24 AM on September 24, 2006

Not sure why the moonbounce need be cancelled b/c of rain. I thought there was a top on it. We had one at my 4 yr olds party. Once the kids went to sleep and a few adult beverages had been consumed, the adults were all over it. It was drizzling outside at the time.

Otherwise, I would avoid giving out crayons or paints or markers as they will get on places you don't want unless there is an adult watching AT ALL TIMES. I would get lots of large trucks and conswtuction vehicles for the kids to use inside and some type of board game.

I think the 10-12 year olds are good to go on their own. In fact, depending on the maturity of the older ones, I would literally pay them to entertain and be responsible for the younger ones.

Lastly, you can never underestimate the power of TV or a DVD to keep them busy for an hour or so. After they play around some, have them eat then watch TV. Have two TV's. One for the younger set for a Disney type flick and another for the older 9-12 set that can watch something like "Rat Race" or "Uncle Buck" or some other type of slapstick comedy.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:15 AM on September 24, 2006

For some reason inexplicable to adults, eating a picnic meal on a staircase is amazing fun for kids. And it only takes 1 or 2 adults to keep the supplies flowing. If you have a staircase, use it!

If you have room for a bit of rushing around and pushig and shoving, "The Mad Queen wants...." is a good game for active kids of mixed ages, though maybe not your smallest ones. The Mad Queen (possibly better not to republicanize it to the Mad President) demands something, and the first person to bring it gets a small reward or a counter or whatever. The Mad Queen can want all sorts of random things -- somethng blue, a lbrown left shoe, 6 blades of grass, a picture of a teddy bear, an adult's handkerchief... Anyone achieving 5 wins can be obliged to drop out or help a younger one, but the requests can be slanted towards the younger ones anyway -- a piece of clothing of a colour only they are wearing, an item they happen to be standing beside etc etc. Also design other quests for older non-winners, and include one or two lengthy ones to give yourself a breather, 5 gray pebbles from under thr furthest fence or whatever. Encourage lateral thinking -- the shoe may arrive still on a foot, the teddy could be hand-drawn or could be on the paper of a still-wrapped baby gift, a tuft of grass that obviously includes at least 6 blades is quicker to pick. If necessary for fairness sake, announce more than one winner per round, and consider giving bonus awards for ingenuity.

If the weather allows, a lolly chase is fun for all, especially younger ones who can "beat" their elders, but everyone gets a prize. An adult sets off clutching a small prize for everyone and hands one out to the first person to catch them (who then drops out), before setting off again. An adult can turn and jink to fall into the hands of the youngest, while fending off some of the speedier ones for more exciting action when the numbers are lower.
posted by Idcoytco at 7:16 AM on September 24, 2006

BINGO!
posted by maloon at 7:47 AM on September 24, 2006

I'd suggest Guitar Hero for the older kids and adults.
posted by MegoSteve at 8:43 AM on September 24, 2006

If there is any chance that one of the slightly older children might want to read to the younger children, have some books on hand for that. Dr. Seuss comes to mind.
posted by bilabial at 9:03 AM on September 24, 2006