Pinatas are usually loved by all.
If it is a summer picnic then water balloon games or water relays depending on the age.
The host just organizes the activities and engages all the kids in the play.
If you go with a specific theme there are usually games to go with it.
Hmm well the hosts make sure everyone is having a good time! And of course it depends on how old the child is and what your traditions are. So far we have just done the presents, cake and ice-cream thing. It also depends on how big you want it to be and how many people to have over. But say you have a 5 year old and they have some friends invited...well I would let the kids play while everyone was still arriving. Then play some games. Then presents, cake and ice cream with more play time after. It is nice if you can have party favors for the kids as well so they do not feel left out.
It is for my son's 1st birthday and we will be out of town for it. My parents are coaches of a Jr. Olympic team and will be attending the Jr. Olympics with their team. Since the Jr. Olympics fall on my sons birthday and my DH will be deployed at the time (military) my parents asked us to join them. I had ask my Dad if we could have alittle cake and he didnt want to leave his team out so he suggested having a little party. The kids age average 11-12 and there are about 20 of them. Sounds like alot to me!! But I can understand how he didnt want to leave them out and Cole and I dont have any family or friends around I thought it was ok.
The thing is that I have never been to a kid's party before only family...I have no idea what they do, what order things happen in, etc!! So all the advice is very much appreciated!
Cats I am sorry your husband is deployed! If you haven't already you should pop over to military mom's and tell us about yourself!
You might want to try letting your son have his own small cake to mess up all alone. And even to be simple you could do cupcakes for the other kids too.