Any tips for putting together this kid's party/get-together at my church?
OK so. I just got this idea (Actually, it’s been kinda stirring around in my head for a while). I want to put together a “Parent’s Night Out” at my church. I’m thinking the parents (there are about 10 or 12 families in the church, it’s a pretty tiny one) could bring their kids to the church and we’ll take care of them while they go on a date. I want to make it be a fun evening for the kids. There are a few rough spots in the plan before I ask the youth pastor about it.
At first I thought the entire teen group could do it, but then I remembered the 7th grade boys. They are SO immature! I don’t think the world would be safe if they got that much power. How exactly could I keep them from being in charge while still having enough people to keep the kids under control?
Also, I don’t know if I want all the kids to deal with at one time. It’s not like I don’t like some of them or anything, it’s just that it’d be hard to deal with them all at once (there are about 30–40 kids in the church, including preschool kids). What would be a good place to split the age groups? Could I have two separate parties, one for the younger half and the other for the older half?
All tips would be hugely appreciated.
Sorry about the long schpiel. Oops :)
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8 Answers
Splitting it could provide problems with families with kids in each age group.
We do this all the time.
Keep in mind that not all the parents are going to bring their kids. You won’t have ALL the kids in the church there.
If possible, try using just 9th-12th graders for the babysitting, plus youth advisers.
The older kids will be able to help out with the younger kids.
If you NEED the middle-school aged kids to help, tell them that they aren’t in charge, but you need help keeping kids under control, and someone to play games with them.
If they get out of hand, make them go sit down or talk to an adult and ask them to deal with them.
@rangerr One problem with that….I’m in 8th grade.
@ChocolateReigns Ah.. Is your youth group split by senior/jr. high? I’d honestly say to wait until you’re with the older group if that’s the case.
If not, see if there are older youth that can help you.
I’m not saying that you guys CAN’T do it, I’m just going by experience.
Especially with that many kids.
Have the parents sign up for the event so you know who will be participating. Then you can plan in advance for the number and ages of the kids. It’s not hard to keep large numbers of kids entertained at once. You could show them a movie, involve them in a large game like a scavenger hunt, or have them practice a play and then act it out for their parents at the end of the night. If you want to do smaller group activities, have an adult or several adults supervise, but get some teenagers involved to entertain a small group of kids each, such as reading a story, coloring, or making crafts. If anyone in your church has college-aged kids who are home for winter break, they might want to do this for a little spare cash. Think of yourself as a manager. You oversee the event, but you delegate smaller responsibilities to the teenagers.
Make the event “Pot Luck” where everyone brings a dish… the church can buy soda pop and /or Hawiaan Punch . IF you want to be “different” ; try putting a quart or so of Rainbow Sherbet in a large punch bowl and pouring half Hawaiian punch and half Ginger Ale and letting it make a punch after stirring… Taste great and CHEAP….
For the kids… let them have a Pizza party .. couple of large pizzzas and you’ve got satisfied kids…
Both the adults and the kids can have Punch ; so drinks are taken care of… Enjoy; whatever you do.
What an awesome 8th grader you are, your parents are so lucky! I think @Haleth hit the nail on the head. I hope it works out for you, and the parents of your church!
We have done this at my Church. We had plenty of adults to keep the kids—not the youth—that’s a problem waiting to happen. The seniors were the big volunteers. We watched kids up to 12 years old from 6PM to 11PM. The kids had supper at the Church then the older ones watched movies and played board games. The tots were kept in the nursery. It was a real hit. We had a “donation” box, and we were shocked at how much money was dropped into it. It was fun for us, the kids, and of course, the parents loved it.
@all – just to let you know, I’m planning to have a few sets of parents there, if you guys are thinking we’d be the oldest ones in the building.
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