How To Throw A Birthday Party At Home?

Hi @Rakhii!

Having read some of your posts about children's parties, I know I'm not in the same league as you, but here are a couple of links which may help:

Moana birthday party ideas

Moana Party Supplies

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Hi Rakhii-congratulations! Is she going to be 6?
We haven’t celebrated my daughters birthday at a party hall yet (she is 2) so a few tho that I have tried and things I have helped my best friend with her dd’s 7th birthday.
1. If possible and weather permits, arrange to have some backyard fun. For my daughter’s first birthday we sat up a big trampoline esp for my son and his friends and they didn’t even want to come inside.
For her second, we rented a bouncy house and arranged an ice cream truck (decorated as Minnie Mouse because she is super into Minnie) and let the kids pick out their own flavors.
For my friend’s dd birthday- she bought face paint kits and tattoos. My husband and son were in charge of tattoos and I did face paint. Again, it was in backyard, we made a bunch of corn bag toss stations and kids just loved running around.

If it is in warmer month, you can also set up water slide or just let them run through sprinklers.

If you are brave enough, let them make their own pizza. We did a pizza and cookies baking for my son’s friends (9 total) during winter break last year and it was so much fun. It was interesting to see the shapes and toppings they came up with. I bought aprons and chef hats from the dollar store. They felt pretty special and we had good time with the parents.


I prefer cupcakes over cake (less mess).
Kids will be happy with anything as long as they can run around so don’t worry.
Just make sure to have all your valuables stored away so a curious kid won’t get into things, Disposable plates, cups, and silverware and tons of paper towels help (there will be mess).

 

I have done a few of my son's bday parties at home.

Mostly only the kids are invited, esp after 6-7 years. Gives the kids more space.

When the kids are younger in age, can invite the kids n mom together.

And we have after party with close family friends later in the night if we wana celebrate with our friends since the kids parties are only for the kids. It's good to have a few close friends along as they usually help out. Also helpers if possible.


I either order food basis the crowd or hire live food counter for the same. Making usually adds on stress if you have no help. Have tried that too.
- Since you have only 12 kids, you can make it into a diy food counter. Like make your own sandwiches or pizza, just have a base ready n a few sauces n spreads n toppings n cheese. They can put it on their own n you can just grill or bake n give back to them.


Moana shaped Piñata or a Khoi bag is another fun thing. If you are adding decorative stuff along with the treats or toys, make sure to do it at a place that's easier to clean. We kept pulling out glitter papers for many months after the party when we broke this once inside the house.


Restrict a portion of the house for the party, front yard, garden, backyard, living room, something. Keep one bathroom ready n maybe a room as well.
Decorate the house according to the theme. Stick the decoration out of reach so that the kids don't pull something on top of them.
Can do minimally like with balloons, banners n a few cutouts. Or can hire a decorator for home.
- In this case, you can decorate your tv room, and let them watch moana together n give them theatre snacks.

I have had hired entertainment at home too, magician, tattoo person, balloon modelling. You jus hav to seat them at a corner of the party area, with 2 chairs n a small table.

More things to do..
Have moana based games,
it could even be a questionnaire
or make or buy a jigsaw puzzle with moana pic n make it a race.
Or pick something based on the movie, like draw something or build something that's related to the movie.
Also a photo booth with a moana cutout.
Games like Musical chair, dance freeze.

You can make them sing along, karaoke n also dance for the same. Also re-enact their favourite scene from the movie.

Moana wears a tube top n a skirt,
you can get some fabric or make them paint on a blank fabric
n cut to their size
n stick the ends with a fabric glue n fasten with a string.

The older they are, they can do more on their own.

Obviously a moana themed cake n return gift.

Just sharing a few things based on my home bday parties experience. Would love to know how yours turns out.

 

Rakhii- $500 is a reasonable budget. Kids love being kids, if you plan too much, you will be disappointed. The best parties I have thrown for kids and that we have been to are the simplest ones.
Kids really don't care about decorations and artists etc.



Here are couple of simple examples that I did for my daughter's second birthday. These favor headbands were so popular that kids kept bringing these to the daycare.

We mentioned on the card itself that it will be a simple affair. We had enough pizza for all the parents. Parents did stay because most kids were in 2-6 year old range. The older kids played outside but younger ones enjoyed playing in the play room.
We just closed the master bedroom and everything else was open for them to explore. Just like yours, our house is baby proof so no worries.

A few things I can suggest:
1. Keep the decorations simple- balloons, a birthday banner, a few pictures of the birthday girl are enough.
2. Keep the food simple as well: Pizza, juice boxes, fruit puree pouches, soda and water for parents, fruits and veggies with dips is all you need. You can have some Hawaiian crackers etc to go with the theme.
3. Go through the play room and put away your younger child's favorite toy so there won't be tears if another child wants to play with it.
4. Have some activities (very simple) ready- paint your own Moana scene/ can buy little paint your own/make your own little stuff (Moana figure/bracelet making kit etc) that they can take with them.
5. Tell them the rules: No food in living room, no jumping on couches etc (of course if you wish, I always tell the kids our rules so they know what to expect).
6. Can even buy some flipflops, glue, and sparkly stuff for them to create their own masterpiece that they can wear.

Most of all, don't stress! Kids will have fun no matter what.

Enjoy!