Why can't birthday parties be closer?

[Anonymous]

I've noticed a similar trend, but some of the closer-in options near us never reopened after the pandemic, including Little Gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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!

I needed to hear this today, PP. Thank you.

same!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a little inconvenient but in the end, the majority of these places are in the far burbs and there’s not that many of them. I would rather take my kid to a trampoline park or rec center 30 minutes away, drop him off, and maybe have time to grocery shop or just have Starbucks or something at a nearby shopping center vs. feeling like I have to stay and “visit” at a home party. Yes I know home parties start being exclusively drop off at some point but we’re finishing up 1st grade and it hasn’t happened yet.

I was amazed at how many people just dropped off their kids at our kindergarten bday party.

Did you expect them to stay? In K I assume it’s a drop off.

For a birthday party at our house, maybe kinder would be drop off age. For a party at one of those big party complexes that are the subject of this thread, absolutely not. How is the host parent supposed to keep an eye on 15-20 five year olds who are running around the entire venue? And I don't think a five year old is mature enough to "stay with the party" on their own. Heck people dropped their kids off at the trampoline park for my 8 year old's birthday, and I told them, it's up to you, but I'm not going to be able to keep an eye on them.

Don't host more kids than you can watch or be very clear in the invitation that you expect parents to stay. I always provided good food for parents and let them know they were welcome but also hedged my bets by confirming another parent who I was closer with could stay and help out and then would do the same at her kid's party. Also hired a couple teens once when I needed backup.

But op, I hear you. Fwiw my kids love local backyard and park and rec center parties as much or more than the fancy venue parties. I think they like that there's more free play and not a strict end time.