What to Do for My 'Soon" 5 Year Olds Bday?

It sounds like you are already doing quite a bit! Lucky kid!

Why do you need an "entertainer" at the park? With 8 boys, get the wiffle ball set out and play 7 innings... serve burgers and dogs along with cake and some Gatorade. Kids don't need to be "entertained"...do an outdoor Olympics with relay races, traditional party games and some pizzas.

He's only 5, so keep in mind that you are setting a precedent for all of his birthdays (and siblings). You may want to consider ratcheting it down next year. Do one party at a park and have a ton of games & activities planned.

Don't underestimate bowling--my son is 7.5 and he & his friends still like bowling parties.

My son turns 5 in a couple weeks as well and I plan to do the park thing. Why do you have to have an entertainer? At that age, they can run about and play there without the hassle. Just the company of his friends and the freedom to run around is what is going to make it fun. Get one of those blow ups if you want to add something extra. I am just going to decorate a table at the park, have balloons, bubbles and food. If someone suggests a cool idea to you, I might venture out and change it, but boys like outdoors and it's cheap!..:-))

The best party we went to this year is a Nerf party in the park. The mom just set up a table with snacks, drinks and a cake and on the invites printed out on the computer said to bring your own Nerf gun. The party was such a hit that two more boys in the class have done it since. Now some families do not like the idea of guns of any kind but we are a small private Christian school and did not have one parent take offense.

Another thought is a pizza cooking party at your house. My mom did this with her grandkids a while back and had all the parts and pieces to create your own personal pan pizzas sitting out for the kids. There were 7 kids total and only one girl. Then while they were cooking she had set up a scavenger hunt around the yard. When the hunt was over their pizza was done. It was also a huge hit!

Good luck!

At this age kids can have fun at the park with their scooters, a kickball game, etc. Bring a pizza or sandwiches, cupcakes & soda and you have a party. Party favors can be sports gear like a football, frisbee, waterguns.. If it's mild you can bring water balloons and have a "war". Blow up beach balls funtion well as a "volley ball" or just "keep it in the air" ball.

I grew up with 4 other siblings so we only had a significant party every few years. We always had a cake with grandma & grandpa, a couple of cousins - but friend parties were rare. I don't think that's a bad idea.

I just got back from one of those bounce house places. My son had a blast! They have "open bounce" in the mornings and late afternoons. They also sell pizza and drinks there. They also have weekday birthday packages you can get.