Help with Little One's

You could have coloring and sticker books, face painting, water balloon tosses, a baby pool (or even just a sprinkler to run through if it's warm), bucket toss, "archaeology dig" (use a sandbox or rock area to bury little plastic toys and give each of the kids a bucket and shovel to dig for the "prizes" - can take a good hour and it's great!), and I agree that a pinata can entertain for a good long while, too, though maybe not the 5 month old so much... :) Bubbles are always good for a wide age range, too.

My best friend had her wedding a couple years ago and kids were invited. The reception was an outdoor barbeque. My cousin was a nanny at the time and she would take care of my little one on occasion. I asked her if she could come to the wedding and keep the little ones entertained. She accepted and she did a very good job at keeping the kids entertained. She was definately wore out by the end of the day! I did pay her for her time. (she did not want anything because we are family, but she it was alot of work). There was a park near by so they spent alot of time there. Maybe you could get a couple of older neighborhood kids to help out. They will have food and fun.

M. B.

If you have a drive or sidewalk way this would be great. I use the sidewalk and give each kid their own square and tell them they are an artist and to paint what they want to paint on it. The best part is we use water as the paint. I get a big bucket of water and use the cheapest paint brushes and let them go at it. It won't take up the whole day put it will entertain them for a while. I use it with my six daycare kids.
B.

Try buying (not renting) a blow-up bouncing castle (or house or whatever they are calling it). I bought one for $200 and can use it probably for the next 10 years and it kept the kids busy for hours. If it's really hot, my girlfriend brought over an inflatable "Bonzai" waterslide (which I think you can get online through Sam's Club or Walmart). The kids went crazy with the water slide. I looked into hiring someone for entertainment for my 1 year olds birthday and they were about $200 for 40 minutes of entertainment. If you buy one of these items, you can use it for multiple parties. We even split the cost with a relative who lives near by.

Maybe you hire a clown for a few hours, or if money is tight then just have a plan for the kids when they get there. You can have them do some water color painting and then maybe have a piñata for them or have them do a craft and then give out little goodie bags with toys in them to keep them occupied for a little bit. Or if you know of someone that may be interested in watching them for a few hours then go for it, but it may be hard to find someone to watch 8 kids. Good luck!!!!

Hi there!

You might want to try calling your local church; especially one with a school. 7th and 8th graders (even some high schoolers) have to complete 40 or more hours of "service hours." You could get a few names and recommendations and ask 2 or 3 of them to come over and they could earn some service hours. YOu won't have to pay them either!

Also, try looking up some games for the little ones to do. I always go to birthdayparties.com and plug in a party theme. Loads of stuff comes up. Also try kidsdomain.com - they've got loads of ideas done by holiday themes!

good luck!
T. c

Hi, We hired a professional clown a couple times. Her name is Jelly Bean the childrens clown. She was GREAT ! This kids loved her so much we've used her a couple times. Her # is ###-###-####. Have Fun!
D. S