Birthday parties for school aged kids

[Crafty Amanda]

These days it's getting too expensive to host a birthday party at one of those adventureland type places. It can cost around $150 to host the party for 8-10 kids and most places charge you for a minimum number of guests. The pizza and drinks that are wasted is awful and many of them don't include cake and ice cream. You only get a certain amount of time in the party room before you are booted out.

This year Dominic turns 10. He and I decided that instead of doing one of those parties we are going to take him and 3 of his friends to the movies. We may also have cake and ice cream at our house (no games, they can just play) for as many as he wants to invite. I haven't told him yet, but I'm thinking about letting a few of them spend the night too. We have one of those cool popcorn carts, so we can make popcorn and have cake here.

Are you finding that even though it's messy, it makes more sense these days to host birthdays at home?

[andyandlexismom]

When we lived in a house and not an apartment, I had my kids' BD parties at home--but my son was younger then, too. (only 6). Now that we live in a box (lol!), it's hard to do.

It's funny that you mentioned taking your son and his friends to the movies because that's what Andy wants to do this year. (he's planning ahead--his birthday isn't until Oct! ;)).

I think that what you have planned on doing is great! The popcorn making will be a lot of fun! :) Throw some video games in there or a couple more movies and they should be set for the night.

Do the parents around your area try to out do each other?

There is one set of parents who always go to the extreme each year for their kids (they have 2 sons with BDs close to each other). One year they took the kids to a rock wall for climbing and then somewhere else. Last year they reserved a room at the Panther's football stadium, along with a private tour with Sir Purr their mascot---to the tune of over $450.!!! :crazyroll The kids who went to the party spent big bucks on gifts for these kids. (my son was invited but didn't go because we had previous plans). I think that this is ridiculous!

I know that your son will have a great time with his friends!! :bday:

[Crafty Amanda]

Wow that's nuts! We used to live in Vegas and my daughter was friends with a girl whose family had lots of money. They always went completely overboard on everything. For her bah-mitzvah They rented out the Fashion Show mall on the strip (closed the entire mall down) and did a theme like movie stars coming in on the red carpet, hired photographers to be popparatzi and a bunch of other stuff. It cost HALF A MILLION dollars.

Oi!

Anyway, I haven't really noticed any parents competing here, but it's a small rural community so it's not that bad. I know there's a couple out there, but apparently we haven't been to their parties LOL!

I think Dominic will enjoy it. I need to call the theater, I know that some of them have party packages that include popcorn etc.

[andyandlexismom]

Wow that's nuts! We used to live in Vegas and my daughter was friends with a girl whose family had lots of money. They always went completely overboard on everything. For her bah-mitzvah They rented out the Fashion Show mall on the strip (closed the entire mall down) and did a theme like movie stars coming in on the red carpet, hired photographers to be popparatzi and a bunch of other stuff. It cost HALF A MILLION dollars.



Holy Moly!! That takes the cake!

[lasdm]

Who says you have to spend a lot of money??? To impress your friends??
I grew up in the 50's with 3 other siblings. Our birthday parties were fun, at at home! everyone had a fun time, & went home happy!
We had cupcakes, ice cream, & soda. We played games like: pin the tail on the donkey, drop the clothespins in the milk bottle, who can blow up a balloon the quickiest until it breaks, bobbing for apples,. We had fun, everyone went home with a small party favor.
Those were the days!!
Older kids, pizza parties..let the kids help make the pizzas, mix the dough & all..........fun time!!

To this day, my kids still about the best parties that they had were the ones at home where they made pizza, or ice cream, & played old games.

We even lived near a Chuckie Cheese!! My kids are now in their 30's, & still remember theose parties!

[andyandlexismom]

Who says you have to spend a lot of money??? To impress your friends??
I grew up in the 50's with 3 other siblings. Our birthday parties were fun, at at home! everyone had a fun time, & went home happy!
We had cupcakes, ice cream, & soda. We played games like: pin the tail on the donkey, drop the clothespins in the milk bottle, who can blow up a balloon the quickiest until it breaks, bobbing for apples,. We had fun, everyone went home with a small party favor.
Those were the days!!
Older kids, pizza parties..let the kids help make the pizzas, mix the dough & all..........fun time!!

To this day, my kids still about the best parties that they had were the ones at home where they made pizza, or ice cream, & played old games.

We even lived near a Chuckie Cheese!! My kids are now in their 30's, & still remember theose parties!
I totally agree! I will NEVER pay that amt. of money for a birthday party of any kind.

Home parties like the kind you describe always hold the best memories. I can still remember some of my birthday parties. ;)

[Kathy]

My boys only had a party every even year starting 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 then on it is just a friend over or movies or pizza nothing much.
We had most of those partys at home in which I prepared the food and cake, there was a limit of 11 friends + party boy. We did have a bowling party and a games arcade party each but 2 out of that many is not bad.
I was lucky this only gave me 1 party per year as the boys one was odd the other even birthday.

I balk at lots of money as I think the kids get lost in all that $ hoopla and it's more for the parents than the kids.

I had a friend who did a mummy party while the kids party went, wine and nibbles for the mums and lots of $ also for the kids, to be honest I don't think now they even remember that party!

Partys like pocket money and other things are only what you can afford.

[Bizeechik]

I think that your idea sounds wonderful!! And the sleepover thing was always such fun when we were kids!!