Home parties are the best. For one mom planned scavenger hunt! The kids loved it. But others have been free form and also wonderful. But most parties were about 10 kids so on the small side.

I have several kids, most of them older.

I only throw home parties when they are younger and the kids usually love it, even the old school games.

They don't play birthday games like hot potato, balloon pop, pint the whatever on the whatever, scavenger hunts, so all of those games are a novelty and fun. The third grade and under set really enjoy those kinds of games.

Minute to win it type games go over well too.

I have only ever had one kid not enjoy my home parties, and that was years ago. He did not like any of the non electronic games, and hated the really nice favors we picked out, telling me several times that the party/favors sucked and this was the worst party ever, lol. Everyone else thought it was awesome (a lego minecraft party with lego & minecraft themed games and activities) I think he expected the Minecraft invite and theme meant he would get to play minecraft for two hours

Also, with most home parties being smaller than tye big event type parties, the guests have more time to interact and enjoy one another.

Kids just really seem to enjoy home parties.

I think the best parties I've had for my kid are the 2 home parties. Lots of more work, but kids had lots of fun.

1) Halloween in June, with haunted play house, halloween type games (relay) etc and individual. Nothing at a table, all running around.
and face painting -- most people wanted to be a zombie. age 6

2) Backyard Olympic games - obstacle course (ninja course), other throw games, with balls, rings, etc. Kids loved it, mostly I think is because they have mostly been to Pump it Up type places and this was fun and different. and ending with Capture the Flag. age 9

There was at least 1/2 hour of free play or more at the end.

Anonymous wrote:How many kids, OP? Any theme to the party? Boys, girls, or both? I think games will still be fun for that age. Keep things moving. Have a craft or art project if you need to slow things down a bit.

This. Keep things moving. Plan to have something different to do about every 15 minutes. Parachute games for 15 minutes, pinata for 15 minutes, relay races for 15 minutes, craft for 15 minutes, lunch for 15 minutes, cake and presents for 15 minutes. Finish in 1.5 hours.
If you can get someone to help you so that you can run more than one thing at a time and have another, longer craft or face painting when kids are waiting for their turn, it's even better.

My kids love birthday parties wherever. They just want to be with friends.

Yes. They have been to a couple of boring birthday parties where there were a ton of pinterest food and decorations, but nothing was planned for the kids to do, and there were a lot of adult family members of the birthday child sitting around watching football. They were weird and awkward.

Kids are the least discerning consumers ever. If its a
Birthday party they love it.

How many kids, OP? Any theme to the party? Boys, girls, or both? I think games will still be fun for that age. Keep things moving. Have a craft or art project if you need to slow things down a bit.

Went to a party in a condo party room. Nothing planned for the entire K class. Just had a movie on. Thankfully they had wine, but the kids seemed really bored for the first hour before pizza and cake.

Anonymous wrote:We are having a home party and I'm worried it may be boring for second graders. I've got some games planned but they are traditional old school leaning.

My kids proclaim every part as "the best ever", regardless of the locatioin. You will be fine.

Sounds good to me. We've had tons of parties at entertainment venues over the years for our three kids. For the past couple of years, we've moved towards simple, unstructured home parties. The kids have lots of fun even when we plan almost no activities. It may help that we're talking about 6-8 kids who are friends, versus a whole classful of kids who may not be. Also, keep it 2-3 hours max.

I had a home party last year. The kids did not want to play any of the games I prepared. They just want to run around the house. They were all very happy though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are having a home party and I'm worried it may be boring for second graders. I've got some games planned but they are traditional old school leaning.

Yep, your party sounds boring. Skip the "traditional old school learning" and play some "traditional old school fun games"

ah, misread: leaning, not learning.

Yes, the kids have the most fun being with each other, as long as it isn't educational

Anonymous wrote:We are having a home party and I'm worried it may be boring for second graders. I've got some games planned but they are traditional old school leaning.

Yep, your party sounds boring. Skip the "traditional old school learning" and play some "traditional old school fun games"

We are having a home party and I'm worried it may be boring for second graders. I've got some games planned but they are traditional old school leaning.