BBQ- Keeping House Semi-clean

I would totally skip the pool and sprinkler. It will be a huge mess. Now having said that if you are having toddlers maybe you could set up a potty chair station somewhere outside. maybe inside a little tent or use some sheets and make a little "restroom" for the toddlers. probably more hassle than you want but if it was me I would skip the water mess altogether lol. good luck hope you have a fun party.

I had a huge 50th party for my husband a couple weeks ago. there were about 70 people and a good 20 of them were under the age of 8. we set up a shade tent thing and put a table and chairs under it. I taped down a long drawing sheet (got it at hobby lobby) on both sides of a banquet table and put crayons, colored pencils and markers in the middle of the table on the driveway we put orange cones so no one tried to park in the drive. we put out colored chalk, bubbles and a horse shoe game and a ring toss (both from party city clearance bin) it kept the kids entertained without making a big mess.

Rake the lawn well before hand to remove loose grass? Ask some other parents to help keep things in order as it goes along.
I think it is a lost cause, frankly. Just have a good time. Barbecues and kids are messy.

i agree with rae. do the best you can beforehand, then relax and let the mess happen. bbq + kids = MESS anyway!

Get some inexpensive flip flops and keep them by the door. Ask that kids put them on before going in the house. (You can tell parents it's so they don't slip and fall when the floors get wet, but you will know it will keep muddy footprints to a minimum.) If you think they'll get *really* messy, you can get a camp shower or just have the kids hose off before going inside. You can get "grass mats" at wal-mart for cheap. You can take some steps to keep the mess to a minimum, just so long as you accept you can't prevent it entirely. Enjoy your party.

without being too much of a buzzkill - get a few cheap bathroom mats and put them inside and outside the back door. my kids and dog are constantly wet and in and out, i went to ikea and got 4 bathmats (better than towels because of the rubber backing they dont slip and move around) and i keep one outside the back door and 3 inside, cover as much ground as you can. you can put a "please wipe your feet" sign outside and ask them to please wipe their feet if you happen to be by the door. be sure that you have plenty of kiddie drinks and munchies and towels and toys outside to give them less of a reason to come in, but try not to kick everyone out of your house, i hate that... if you are inviting people to your home, then you are inviting them to your home, know what i mean? then just let them have fun and clean up afterwards.

Just make a path of towels or throw rugs to the bathroom. Have some spare ones ready to replace the ones that get soaked and dont sweat it. have a good time and mop later.

Rent a port-a-potty. Lol!