Kids Party Ideas for Small Spaces

1. Keep the guest list manageable

If you’re working with a smaller space, don’t make things harder for yourself. By keeping your guest list small and exclusive, you can make sure that everyone enjoys themselves without feeling cramped or overwhelmed. 

This might mean inviting only a select group of friends rather than the whole class, or hosting a separate party for family members. If you’re struggling to whittle the list down, just think: who would be okay with feeling a little cosier than normal? If you’ve got some big personalities that might be a little too opinionated, do yourself (and them) a favour and save their attendance for another time. 

Pro tip

Scope out your venue beforehand to get a clear idea of how many people could comfortably fit and run around. Don’t forget that playful kids might need more room than adults, especially if you have games planned.

2. Clean up beforehand

Whether you’re hosting at home or at an external venue, there are some tidying hacks you can put into place to maximise the space you’re presented with. The first of these is to remove any unnecessary furniture and items that will just get in the way. This could mean: 

• Bulky armchairs that won’t be used
• Coffee tables that could be a trip hazard
• Decorations that won’t add to the party atmosphere (such as those around Christmas time)

If you’re at home, don’t be precious with this. Remember that your party is only for one day, and make your designated party room as sparse as possible so there’s plenty of room for guests to move around and have fun. 

Pro tip

Enlist the help of friends or family to clear up beforehand. If it’s your home, you might be more precious than others would be about setting things aside for the sake of space.

3. Designate a drop-off area

When your guests first arrive, they’ll likely have things they want to put down before the party gets underway. This could be coats, bags, or even bulky presents that need to be kept safe during the excitement and games. 

Whether you’re hosting at home or a smaller external venue, try to set aside a ‘drop-off’ room that can be used to house all of these items. Most venues will have storage cupboards or a side room that’s not big enough for hosting – this makes for the perfect space to leave things while the fun and games get underway. 

Pro tip

If possible, lock the drop-off room once everybody’s items are stored. Kids love to explore, and things could get messy if they sneak in unnoticed.

4. Plan convenient finger food

Party ideas for your smaller space aren’t just limited to the guest list and venue layout. You’ll also want to be mindful of the kinds of food that you serve, so that the buffet table doesn’t take up a huge chunk of room in your limited area. 

Think small and portable. Ideally, you want foods that are grab-and-go, and that kids can comfortably eat without sitting down at a formal place setting. This might include: 

• Simple pizza slices, ideally cut small enough to comfortably fit on a child’s paper plate
• Individual crisp packets, removing the need for large bowls filled with food
• Wooden fruit skewers and other quick snacks that come with their own delivery method

If you’re hosting guests with allergies, you need to be particularly mindful of these when in a smaller space. There’s a heightened risk of cross-contamination, and this could impact who you choose to invite to your cosier event. 

Pro tip

When hosting your party at home, it’s a good idea to keep the food and drink in another room – like your kitchen – for the duration of your party. This can help prevent the party room from feeling too cramped.