Does he like video games? You might want to try out Ajax. It's a place with tons of arcade games set up in one room. You can have just a few kids and we did two parties there. The kids had a blast. You didn't say where you are. This is northern VA.

FYI OP I had to click on this post because I thought I might have written it! My 8yo is in a similar boat. I'm nixing laser tag because all the parties we've been to have been ones where the whole class was invited and then some - I'm pretty sure we can't get 30 kids to show up for his party, at least not 30 who have been nice to him. I think a movie and pizza would be a fabulous idea; the Uptown has a screening room that you can rent if you want to actually make it private, or the American Diner in the same neighborhood also does movie birthdays.

Here's an out of the box idea: One of my son's friends who is similarly situated had a wonderful party last fall - the mother rented a giant stretch limo and the kids rode around DC, stopped and played tag and took photos at the monuments. She had tons of food and games in the limo and then pizza back at the house. It was about 8 kids, 2 adults as chaperones and the kids thought it was the coolest thing ever.

These are really good ideas.

My kids have been going to school with the same kids since PK, but would rather have just a couple friends to a movie, etc. for their birthday, so there is nothing at all wrong with that, whatever the reason. It doesn't signify someone who hasn't made many friends yet.

I hope he has a good time!

My 8 year old just wanted to celebrate with the family so that is what we did. Then he decided he wanted to have one friend sleep over so we did that at a later date.

I personally think he is beyond b-day "parties" but not a birthday celebration. Have him pick a child or two and take them to do whatever he enjoys-pp have given good suggestions. Have a sleepover, pizza, cake at the house.

We have never had parties but let the kids plan their day-whatever they want to do within reason with a couple of friends. For example, my son will turn ten this summer and he and his dad take a fishing trip-just the two of them. This year his best friend is coming. Past years we have taken him and a friend to waterparks, amusement parks, golfing..what does he like to do? Start there.

Another vote for laser tag. This is all the rage with 8 year-old boys in our school, so you'd have a better chance of getting kids to show up. Another option might be a sportsplex party. It should be something with movement and fun!

Anonymous wrote:What about a fun activity like lazer tag or an indoor waterpark like the Chillum Splash pool? Going out to a movie with 2-3 friends and then to a restaurant like Johny Rockets could also be fun.

I was going to say lazer tag. My 8 year old loves it! He also went to a brithday party at Dave and Buster's that was small (birthday boy, my son, and another buddy) and he had a great time. Ice skating is another possibility.

If he has 2 or 3 boys that he does consider friends I would try and do something fun for just the small group. My almost 8yr son was given the choice of a big whole class party or taking 3 boys to the Medival Times Dinner show. He chose the Medival Times.
You could also do a trip to the Udvar Hazy and see an Imax show or other similar WOW activity that kids always want to do but parents always say someday.

I am a big believer in quality vs quantity. I would rather my kids have 3 good friends than 20 kids that will show up for a party but not actually be his friend. My dh was not popular in scholl, but had 2 really good friends. I was popular (different schools) and could easily list 30 kids I considered friends. Of those 30 friends not a single one is still in my life. Those two friends that my dh had in grade school, I could call today and they would drop anything and be here if I needed them. They are our kids Godfathers and are truely friends.

Help your son foster good solid friendships, however many he might have.

What about a fun activity like lazer tag or an indoor waterpark like the Chillum Splash pool? Going out to a movie with 2-3 friends and then to a restaurant like Johny Rockets could also be fun.

Can you ask him what he'd like to do for his birthday? He might prefer to do something as a family rather than have a party if he's not a super social kid. Or you could plan something cool like a water park (just making this up, not sure if that's actually cool for an 8 year old) and tell him he can invite one or two friends if he wants.

I was going to suggest bowling as well. Good luck, OP. Hope he has a great b-day.

Anonymous wrote:Or a cooking party - definitely better with fewer kids.

Sorry - meant to add that you'd hold it at a culinary place where they have loads of equipment, etc.

Or a cooking party - definitely better with fewer kids.

How about bowling? It's probably better to have fewer kids anyway so they can have more turns. We did this for my DS's 8th birthday. We invited the whole class, but b/c of scheduling and cousins not being able to make it, etc., we only wound up with 3 boys from school, DS and his two younger sisters. But you know what, no one noticed that it was a "small" party and everyone got more turns bowling, so it was fun. Good luck!

We switched schools this year and although it's been a much better fit academically, DS is struggling to make friends.

Most kids are returning students with existing friends and DS is not particularly socially adept. Geographically, kids live all over so it's been difficult to swing play dates. We don't have many neighborhood friends and it's been difficult keeping up with friends from the old schools.

I'd like to throw him a birthday party for his 8th, but not sure if a lot of kids will show. He's not adept at sports. Any suggestions for a party venue that I can plan in advance it won't look strange if 5 vs. 15 kids attend? Thanks.