Why can't birthday parties be closer?

[Anonymous]

I feel like there is a trend of getting invitations for kids' birthday parties that are like 30+ minutes from where the birthday boy or girl and classmates live. The days of parties at the local karate, little gym, or firehouse seem to be over. Now we have to trek to far off arcades, indoor basketball, amusement centers, zipline places, etc. I just got an invitation for a party that is 20 miles from our elementary school. Are parents thinking when they make these choices? I know junior really really wants to have all of his friends at this cool arcade, but most parents are squeezing these parties into busy weekends and really don't want to drive 60 to 90 minutes round trip to eat cake with the 6 year olds who live in their neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Please just decline the invite if it’s inconvenient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like there is a trend of getting invitations for kids' birthday parties that are like 30+ minutes from where the birthday boy or girl and classmates live. The days of parties at the local karate, little gym, or firehouse seem to be over. Now we have to trek to far off arcades, indoor basketball, amusement centers, zipline places, etc. I just got an invitation for a party that is 20 miles from our elementary school. Are parents thinking when they make these choices? I know junior really really wants to have all of his friends at this cool arcade, but most parents are squeezing these parties into busy weekends and really don't want to drive 60 to 90 minutes round trip to eat cake with the 6 year olds who live in their neighborhood.

We definitely moved to farther out locations as our kid got older. Older elementary kids are more interested in what those locations have to offer, plus when paying for a large group, often cheaper in the burbs.

Just don't go if it's inconvenient for you.

[Anonymous]

We’ve always had our kids invite just a handful of friends and have them come to our house. We drive the kids to the location. Then we grab a bite to eat and take them back to our house. Parents pick them up there.

[Anonymous]

It's really hard to find a venue for bigger kids, and socially we try to invite a whole group (eg, all the girls from an activity, not just 3 of them) to avoid hurt feelings. It's a tricky 5 years or so between Little Gym parties, and a sleepover with 3 friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's really hard to find a venue for bigger kids, and socially we try to invite a whole group (eg, all the girls from an activity, not just 3 of them) to avoid hurt feelings. It's a tricky 5 years or so between Little Gym parties, and a sleepover with 3 friends.

5 years. My kid is 12 and still insists on inviting 20 people because he doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

Anyway, we offer to drive folks if they need it, but obviously can't take everyone sadly

[Anonymous]

I think it's a matter of parents wanting to pick something that hasn't already been done before and as years go by they have to reach for more far-flung locations.
I agree it's annoying because these parties are usually 3 hours max so I either drop off and have to turn right around to pick up, or I have to STAY there for the whole thing.
I had my 8 year old's party in my yard.

[Anonymous]

There just aren’t any nearby venues for tweens unless we want to do something like take them to a movie. Most of the parties from our school are well attended so I guess people don’t mind too much about the driving.

[Anonymous]

Just don’t go. Missing a party isn’t the end of the world.

[Anonymous]

We had one of those, at a rock climbing gym for my 12yo. We drove as many kids as we could fit in our car, and helped the others arrange carpools. 3 cars ended up driving. I'm sure some said no because of the distance, which is fine, no hard feelings. Those who were able to make it had a great time. 12 is a hard age to find something closer by, we've done laser tag for about the last 3 years and it's a bad time of year for anything outdoors (December). Our house was undergoing renovations and not in a state to host a bunch of tweens.

[Anonymous]

I think some parents would make BANK if we opened a SOFIVE or a trampoline places or an Urban Air or whatever in one of the empty warehouse spaces along NY AVE between Bladensburg and SD. Who is in.

[Anonymous]

Decline. No big deal.

[Anonymous]

Carpool

[Anonymous]

I know this will sound so cliche, but with my youngest having just graduated high school, I am ruminating over all the things I wish I could do over, and do differently. Not sweating the small stuff is on the top of the list. This time goes so fast. I would give anything to have 30 minutes in my car with my 8-year-old back again. Make the most of it!

[Anonymous]

Those fun locations have to pay rent and their employees. Close in real estate costs more per square foot, and, they are competing for employees with those who can pay much more.