Bday party ideas for 5yo DS???

[brookely ash]

I am at a loss about my DS's 5th bday party. We can't really do it at our house, because his closest friends are allergic to our cats. I cross posted this in the finding your tribe forum, to see if any locals knew of a place but I thought that some other mama's out there might have a few ideas. Any help would be appreciated.
I sure wish it was summer time because we could do it in a park, virtually free, but that is just not going to happen. We are pretty tight on money right now as well, so that is a factor also.

Please share any ideas -



Thanks
-brookely ash

[TiredX2]

If you just need a place, consider asking your local library if they have a room you could use. I know the ones in King County, WA do.

Another, more expensive, idea is Chuck E. Cheese at a non meal time. They will allow you to bring in a cake and then you could just buy each kid like 10-20 ($2.50-5) worth of tokens.

DD just turned 5 and had a "Harry Potter" birthday at home.

Kay

[LDSmomma6]

Ok, I know everyone in here probably hates the dreaded "M" word...McDonalds, but I don't. I actually like it on days when we have run out of things to do, and I can go sit and watch them play either in the inside or outside playarea. I don't read the stupid warnings about "my son was pricked by an HIV needle in the playplace" because he could easily been pricked by it at the park (besides it's in the www.snopes.com or another type of urban legends site).

Anyway, in 2002, I did a at-home party for my 7 yr old. By the time I got all the decorations, party favors, pizza for lunch and made the cake, I spent well over $100. ANd then I had to clean up, and I was a wreck by the time 10 girls left! My 4 yr old son's party was next, and he wanted McDonalds. $50 for 10 guests, including cake, ice cream and a Happy Meal. You know what? I weighed the pros & cons. McDonalds won, and they had the mess to clean up. Not me! Best thing I ever did in my life.

I am all for easy now, and heck, it's once a year! Let them do what they want (if it's in your means), and let them enjoy it.

[tnrsmom]

Moving this to Childhood Years,

[brookely ash]

Well, we decided on a Pizza place that has a play gym. Its not as flashy and crazy as Chuck E Cheese, and its also a little less expensive. I thought about McDonalds or BurgerKing, but couldn't bring myself to do it there. I may do a party there when he is a few years older, if he requests it.

One more question - How much pizza am I obligated to get for the parents? He is inviting 5 friends (so that means atleast 5 parents) and he is inviting some adult friends as well as Grandpa and Aunts and Uncles. So maybe about 14 adults total. Do I have to buy pizza for everyone? I was thinking that I would get two large pizzas, one veggie, one cheese and when that is gone, its gone. Is that enough? I haven't done a kids party before and I want to be courtious and polite, but not go over board. YKWIM?

thanks for your suggestions,

-brookely ash

[lilyka]

I would say go with about3 peices per chilkd and 5 peices per adult for a meal. 1- 2 peices per person for a snack. Also drinks and cake.

Do you expect the parents to stay? If not word your invitation "you can drop off your children at 0:00PM" or on the bottom somewher "parents need not stay" or something that lets them know they are free to go, then you are under no obligation to entertain them because htey were not invited. If you expect the parents to stay then you absolutely must entertain them too. Also you should expect sibling if you are expecting the parents to stay.

We did this once and a lot of the parents bought thier own food. Many brought siblings (had they not all been baby's I would have felt bad about not having a favor bag for them, but hey, they weren't invited) and almost all of them stayed.