Large family gatherings, such as birthday parties, communions, christenings, bar mitzvahs, and family reunions, often involve many young children of varying ages. Things can get pretty chaotic when the kids get warmed up, requiring more attention than the grownups might want to give as they catch up with distant relatives. But with a little advance planning, there are a variety of things you can do to keep the little ones busy and everyone happy.
You can...
Supply each table with art supplies for the kids including paper, crayons, water colors, washable markers, and stickers. Ask the children to create a work of art that can be given to the guest of honor.
Place an assortment of inexpensive party favors at each table for the kids to play with such as yo-yo's, small puzzles, and decks of cards.
Hire an entertainer for the children. A magician is good for the grade school set. Someone who makes balloon sculptures will be a hit with kids of all ages. Avoid clowns because many children are afraid of them.
Hire a babysitter who can perform a range of services.
- If supplied with books, she can read to groups of children.
- She can watch infants and toddlers napping in a separate room.
- She can supervise crafts.
- She can take small groups of children outside if there are suitable play areas for balls, bubbles, jumping rope, etc.
- She can organize a little dance/singing party for the kids (in a separate room) if you supply her with a CD player and age appropriate CDs.
Invite parents to bring play clothes so that the children may change and play comfortably indoors or outside.
Provide a television with a video or DVD player along with a supply of videos and DVDs appropriate for the ages of the children.
Give the older children disposable cameras to take pictures throughout the event.
Set up a separate dessert station just for the children. It can be as simple as store-bought cupcakes, cans of frosting and sprinkles. Or it can be a more complicated table where the kids can make their own ice cream sundaes.
