How to Plan a Christmas Party for Children in East Sussex
Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year for children, and a festive party is a lovely way to bring families, friends, and communities together. Whether you are organising a school celebration in Lewes, a family gathering in Eastbourne, or a community Christmas event in Tunbridge Wells, planning a smooth, warm, and child-friendly party makes the season even more enjoyable.
This guide takes you through each step of planning a Christmas party for children, with ideas that work well for halls, school venues, and indoor community spaces across East Sussex.
Choosing the Right Venue
Many Christmas parties take place indoors, which is ideal during colder weather. Community halls, school gyms, scout huts, and church centres are the most popular choices in areas such as Seaford, Hailsham, and Haywards Heath.
When choosing your venue, consider:
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Space for play: Enough room for children to move comfortably.
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Heating: A warm environment helps keep children settled.
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Parking and access: Important for parents arriving with winter coats and bags.
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Decoration options: Halls with neutral walls make festive themes easy.
If you are planning to include inflatables, the Low Height / Indoor range fits most indoor venues safely and comfortably.
Festive Inflatables and Activities
Inflatables add excitement to Christmas parties and give children a clear activity area. Popular indoor-friendly options include:
These work well alongside seated crafts, gift tables, or a winter-themed reading corner.
Matching Activities to a Christmas Theme
Simple themed add-ons help create a festive atmosphere:
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Snowflake decorations
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Winter music playlists
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Santa mailbox stations
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Hot chocolate tables
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Festive arts and crafts
Christmas is also a great time for gentle, indoor fun using Bouncy Castle & Soft Play Packages for mixed-age groups who need a safe place to play in the warmth.
Choosing the Right Time of Day
Winter days are shorter, so afternoon or early evening parties work well. This timing allows families to travel safely in daylight while still enjoying the cosy feel of a seasonal indoor event.
For school or nursery parties, mid-afternoon slots often suit staff and parents. Weekend parties for families generally work best between 1 pm and 5 pm, giving enough time for games, food, and present exchanges.
Decorations and Themes
Christmas parties work beautifully with simple, classic decorations. Children respond well to colour, lights, and themed zones. Popular approaches include:
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Traditional gold, red, and green
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Snow and winter scenes
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Frozen or ice palace themes
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Elf workshops
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Santa’s grotto corners
If your party includes an inflatable from Christmas Hire, you can match your decorations easily. The Frozen Bounce & Slide style designs work particularly well with soft blues, silver, snowflakes, and gentle lighting.
Food and Refreshments
Children’s Christmas parties usually suit a simple buffet-style approach. Popular choices include:
For a standout addition, the Sweet Cart Hire - Meg’s Moments from Party Extras & Add-Ons fits perfectly with Christmas events. It gives children a place to choose treats and adds a decorative feature for photos.
If your event is for a school or community group, keep food and drink separate from the play area to prevent spills on mats or inflatables.
Keeping the Party Safe
Safety becomes even more important in winter when guests arrive with coats, scarves, and bags. To keep things running smoothly:
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Create a designated coat area.
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Use mats at entrances to avoid slippery floors.
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Allow time between games for children to warm up if they have been outdoors.
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Supervise inflatables at all times.
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Follow age recommendations for Bouncy Castle & Soft Play Packages and other categories.
For indoor venues, check ceiling height and access in advance. Our low-height inflatables in Low Height / Indoor are designed specifically for this purpose.
Adding a Visit from Santa
A Santa visit is a popular highlight. You can set up a small grotto using fairy lights, soft decorations, and a comfortable chair. Pair this with a slow-paced activity like storytelling or a gift handout to keep the atmosphere calm and festive.
Santa’s grotto areas work well in community halls in Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, and Lewes, where parents bring younger siblings and appreciate gentle indoor entertainment.
Planning Around the Weather
Even if the party is indoors, winter weather still plays a role. Allow for:
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Extra travel time
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Wet coats and shoes
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Heavier bags and gloves
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Earlier sunsets
If your venue has outdoor access routes, make sure they are well lit and safe. Many families in Seaford and Hailsham appreciate early start times so they can travel home comfortably in the evening.
Suitable Setups for Different Age Groups
Children’s Christmas parties often include a mix of ages. Here’s what works well:
Under fives:
Soft play from Soft Play And Juggler Ball Pond, small inflatables, gentle themed activities.
Ages five to ten:
Medium-sized Bouncy Castles, smaller slides, craft stations, games.
Older children:
Indoor-friendly competitive activities such as inflatable challenges from Inflatable Games or a festive disco zone.
If your event includes a wide age range, consider separate zones so everyone has enough space to enjoy the day.
Making the Party Feel Festive
A Christmas party for children should feel warm, friendly, and inviting. You can create this by:
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Using soft lighting rather than bright hall lights
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Playing calm seasonal music
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Creating small cosy corners for quieter children
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Offering simple take-home gifts such as chocolate coins or small crafts
Inflatables bring life and fun to the centre of the event, while thoughtful details help set a seasonal tone.
Christmas Party Hire Across East Sussex
From school celebrations in Lewes to family gatherings in Eastbourne and community events in Tunbridge Wells, Christmas parties benefit from the right mix of indoor equipment, warm settings, and child-friendly planning.
Browse helpful categories including:
To plan your Christmas event, visit our Contact Us page and tell us your date and venue. We’ll help you choose inflatables and extras that suit your space and make your seasonal celebration enjoyable for all.