Deciding whether to hold a kids party at home or in a hall is usually the first real choice you make, and it shapes everything else. The guest list, the games, the food, the entertainment and how much tidying you'll be doing at 7pm.
Neither is better. They just suit different parties. Here's an honest look at both.
The case for a party at home
Home parties are relaxed. Your child is on familiar ground, you've got your own kitchen, the toilet is right there and nobody's clock watching to hand back keys.
They also cost less. No hire fee, no travelling with a car full of food, and you can set up at your own pace in the morning. For smaller groups and younger children, home is often the nicest option.
- No venue cost
- Familiar and comfortable for little ones
- Easy food prep in your own kitchen
- No rush to pack up at a set time
The downsides of home
Space is the big one. Most living rooms comfortably hold a small group of children sitting on the floor, but not a whole class running about. Be realistic. Ten excited six year olds take up a lot more room than ten adults.
Then there's the mess. Crisps trodden into carpet, juice on the sofa, glitter that turns up for months. And you'll be on host duty in your own house, which can be more tiring than it sounds.
The case for a hall
A hall gives you room. Big games, a dance floor, a proper show with all the children sat in rows. If you're inviting the whole class, a hall makes life far easier.
Village halls, church halls, scout huts and community centres are often reasonable to hire, and many have a kitchen, tables and chairs. Some even have a stage. And when it's over, you sweep up, hand back the keys and your house is untouched.
- Room for big groups and lively games
- Kitchen, tables and chairs usually included
- Your house stays clean
- Neutral ground, so no worries about guests in your home
The downsides of a hall
There's a hire cost, and you'll often need to book a slot that includes setting up and clearing away. Halls also book up well ahead for weekend afternoons, so you'll need to move early.
A big room can feel empty if nothing's happening, and children tend to run in circles when there's open space. That's why hall parties really need a plan, and why a lot of parents book entertainment for them.
How numbers change things
Numbers usually make the decision for you. For a handful of friends, home works nicely. Once you're into whole class territory, a hall is almost always the better shout.
Think about adults too. Younger children come with a parent, so a party of fifteen toddlers might mean thirty people in your living room. That's a lot of bodies and cups of tea.
Entertainment at home versus in a hall
Entertainers work happily in both. At home, they need a clear area for the show, roughly the size of a rug, plus floor space for the children to sit. In a hall, there's room for bigger games and more running about.
Most of our entertainers will need a power socket nearby for music. Let them know the room size and where they'll be set up when you book, and they'll tell you if it works. Our guide on what to ask a children's entertainer covers the space and power questions in more detail.
Comparing the cost
Home is cheaper on paper, but don't forget the hidden costs: extra cleaning, a carpet clean if things go badly, maybe borrowed chairs. A hall adds a hire fee but can save in other ways, such as fewer decorations needed to feel like a party.
If you're budgeting for entertainment too, our price guide explains what affects the quote.
So which should you choose?
Pick home for smaller groups, younger children and a relaxed feel. Pick a hall for whole class parties, lively older children and when you'd rather your house didn't take a battering.
And for either, a children's entertainer can take the pressure off. Pop us a message with your date, venue and numbers and we'll let you know who's available.