I Feel SO Stupid About Planning This...

If you are going to do something with loads of kids, may I suggest a park party in early afternoon, after lunch? Have some veggies, healthy crackers and fresh fruit, some jugs of water or juice, (coffee for the adults) and let the kids play for a while; serve the cake at a picnic table and call it good.

Also, be prepared that some families may be bringing older/ younger siblings. Another reason why the park is great. Lots of space.

Remember, too, that he's still young enough that 'just family' is okay. Just in case you needed someone to give you permission not to invite the world...;).

I've always held to the rule of not inviting more kids than the child's age. He's turning 5, so invite 5 friends. (Neighbors, cousins, school friends, whoever - just don't hand out invites at school if you aren't inviting the whole class.) In my experience, having a huge, 40-kid party almost always overwhelms the birthday child (unless your kid is always the life of the party!).

McDonald's is a fun party. We have been to parties there and it has always worked out great. Last year, when my daughter turned 6, we invited her 2 best friends to Build A Bear and then went to Cold Stone afterward for ice cream. Low key, but they all thought it was the greatest party ever. And I didn't have a huge headache when it was over. :)

My experience is, if you go through the preschool, you have to invite everyone. That's if you're putting invitations in cubbies. That's as it should be. If you have a parent list, you can invite whomever you want. Our guideline was always "However old you are, that's how many guests you get" - it's a great system! 5 years old, 5 guests. I agree with everyone else to keep it simple. These elaborate theme-based parties are expensive, overdone, and hard to keep up with. I never wanted my kid to have 30 gifts, and I never wanted to have 30 kids in my yard or local play place or a park

Be aware that a lot of parents are starting to question parties in McDonald's or other fast food places (food quality, obesity issues). Pinatas are fun but put things besides candy in there. We have a number of diabetic kids in our neighborhood, and parties/trick-or-treating are a nightmare for them. We did some simple theme parties - when he was into dinosaurs, we did a dino party and decorated the deck with his dines. We bought plastic Easter eggs (discounts soon!) and put little toys or candies in them, then hid them around the yard. Those "finds" became their substitute for "goody bags". The year he was into "bugs" we made a "caterpillar" out of cupcakes and decorated them in outlandish fashion, gave the kids fake bugs and little magnifying glasses for a "bug-hunter" kit to take home. In some areas, there are bowling alleys that put bumpers in the gutters so that every rolled ball makes it down the alley safely with no gutter balls. In New England, we have candlNatureepins, which use a smaller ball that little hands can handle. Local zoos and museums have deals too - sometimes the kids get to go "backstage" to see animal care. areas often have marked trails, and you can give the kids a list of natural formations to find - often the local nature organization (Audubon, etc.) does that work for you.

Whatever you do, go small and simple! The kids don't care about all the stuff that parents seem to get sucked into. They just want to run around, find "treasure", throw balls or whatever. The other parents will thank you for not going overboard and making them think they have to do the same!

Take invitations to his preschool and give one to each kid (or put it in their cubbies). McDonald's is good, jumpy places are good, parks -wherever he'll have fun! You may not get RSVPs from some people. Unfortunately manners are not guaranteed. If you can get an email list from the preschool, you can email to get RSVPs if you need them. If you invite people now -April 14th should be fine. Don't freak out! They're little kids and they will enjoy themselves if given cake and a play structure.

I am the odd one - I plan birthday parties 3 months in advance.

I wouldn't do a McDonald's birthday party for 20 kids!! That would be shear madness. I would do something with Bounce's and Slides - 5 year olds LOVE that - I don't know if Texas has "Jump It Up" or "Pump it Up"

I would do either 11AM or 2PM - because SOME 5 year olds still take naps.
I would NOT invite the whole class - that's me. I would ask him who he would like to invite and go from there.
I would make sure that there is food for adults and kids. As 11AM will be play for a bit then lunch. 2PM will be after lunch but after playing - they will want food.

If I knew more about where you lived, I think I could offer more help. I know that if you have it someplace other than your home - all will be fine!! :) i just know I wouldn't want 10 to 20 kids running around my home!!! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your son!!

We're planning our 5 year old girls' party right now too. Don't freak out! You can make it as easy or complicated as you want. I don't know anything about McDonalds parties, but wherever you have it all you need are cake, an activity (playing at McDonalds fits this), and maybe a give away bag for each child. Drop invites in each kid's cubbie at school and ask for RSVPs by a week from the party. Include your phone number and email. AND... since you're having it at a place rather than your house, decide if it's OK with you if people drop their kids off. If not, it might be worth mentioning you'd like the parents to stay on the invite.

I think whatever you planned will be fine; if the weather is nice where you live, you can consider a park with a shelter, next to a play area.
The only thing I will tell you, based on my experiense, if you invite say 10 kids, it will be the 10 kids, both parents and sibilings; very rarely did I get just one parent show up (I was one of them), most of the time it was both parentes and ofcourse, sibilings.
Good luck and Happy Birthday to you boy!!!

We have been to Mcdonalds for party, it can get pretty crowded but we did a bowling for my daughter too and the kids did like it and was not much at all!

MacDonald Party is perfect. Or a party at a good park. All you really need is a piñata and cake. Invite the whole class or just a couple or just the boys. Don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but no need for an army. Recruit parents you do know to stay to help watch the kids.
Keep it simple. The kids just want to play together. If it is hot enough you could do water balloons with your husband as the target...... the way it is today..... it WILL be hot enough! The kids will think that is funny.
Give cheap prizes and goodie bags. You don't need a bunch of stuff. One little rubber ball to each kid is enough.

We considered the McDonalds party also. My son loves the playland area, and they provide everything. We decided instead to go with a bowling party. It was even more reasonable, and they had a blast. Our bowling alley even has an arcade and they got coins as part of the package deal. All the kids signed a bowling pin that he still proudly displays on his shelf.

IME, the less "planned" my parties have been...the more fun! Plan a few games--basics. Kids just want to run around, play and be goofballs.
Have fun & good luck!

You will be fine if you have it at McDonalds. All kids want is a chance to play together, eat cake and their treat bag. Chances are if you invite the whole class, probably half will show up so it won't be too crowded. We went to a McDonald's party on a Sunday afternoon at 3pm and there was noone there and so the birthday girl had the whole place to herself for her party.