I think that 10am on a Sat for 5yo's is perfect. It won't be crowded yet.

I don't know their juice box policy, but you could opt to just serve water if you don't want to serve soda. They may have fountain lemonade and parents who don't allow soda seem to be ok with that, even thought it's the same thing, just without carbonation. I'm pretty sure they have fruit punch. Some parents don't allow juice either, so I wouldn't worry too much about this aspect.

Do it on a weekday if you can. We did that in preschool and it was great because it was empty. The pizza isn't terrible, parents would usually eat the veggie one.

10 am is great. The less sugar the better. No drop-offs in that crazy place.

Sunday 10 am. Do not choose the best package. Bring your own cake. The CEC cake is not tasty, at all. The cup package is ok. great for the person who doesn't want to think about goody bags (as I am). Every guest does get one.

We went to a 3-5 this weekend on Saturday and, by the end, things were in a state of political unrest. The kids were supposed to get Dippin Dots but the mom chose to give them cotton candy bags instead. DO NOT DO THIS!

I don't remember ever getting a favor at a CEC party. I think the stuff they buy with their tickets is plenty

OP again. If I choose the super party package that comes with the star collectible cup, can I use that as the souvenir for the party? I'm assuming that every invited guest gets one and not just the birthday kid.

OP here. Thanks for all the suggestions. Please keep them coming.

I did it last year for my 5yo. All parents stayed and I ordered food for them as well. I think that they open at 11 - I've been there at that time and there are much fewer kids so it's nice. It was stressful to manage all those people, since I invited the whole class, but really nice. 20 kids or so showed up. Plus parents and siblings. I divvied up the tokens according to who got there first. No clean up, they have a staff member assigned to help you, so it's easy peasy. They have juice and lemonade choices also.

Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. is better (less crowded, I assume some families are in church?).

CEC charges per kid, so just fyi, a couple of people brought extra kids, and it all added up. Also, they'll let you bring your own cake, but everything else is from CEC. And I am pretty sure the kids were not given soda.

The party favors were the usual junk, and you might be able to make those yourself cheaper, but I didn't (out of laziness).

We did a 5yo party and it was technically drop off but we had arranged for 6 adults (us, and 4 Aunts) to stay for about 16 kids. A couple others stayed - and 1 Dad who stayed but totally just played the 'games' and we ended up then also watching his toddler as he was oblivious.) Ours was totally manageable and EASY. We were surprised as many are at the assumption that siblings were welcomed so that was maybe only issue that I'd suggest deciding ahead of time how to deal with *see Dad above*
I was impressed with how good staff was and how easy party was

I don't think it's too young for a drop off party in general, but CEC is too chaotic on a weekend morning to have a drop off party for that age. Hell no.

Definitely too young for drop off. CEC is a madhouse, and I get stressed just trying to watch my own kid there. The pizza is actually pretty good. They've never served my kids soda, maybe juice?? I'm pretty sure it was in the CEC cups.
If the kids don't do sports then 10 am is fine. If your child is just turning 5, then maybe other classmates will be almost 6, and could have t ball or soccer games on Saturday mornings.

Kids love these parties. Only thing my son was ever sad about was that one birthday girl said that she'd take him into thespinning tickets thing, and she didn't. She chose someone else, and that hurt his feelings. If it had been me, I would've just let the birthday kid go in.

5 years old is a good age for a Chuck E. Cheese party but the parents will stay. That place is too crazy to leave your child and expect someone to wrangle multiple 5 year olds.

You may have a number of kids unable to attend Saturday morning because of activities but that is a good way to keep it small.

I've been to two CEC bday parties for my niece. I think 5 years old is too young for a drop off party because I think it would be hard to keep track of a bunch of kids in that space. 10 am is a perfect time for the party.

My DC is turning 5 and requested a CEC birthday party. For those who have hosted/attended a party at CEC, can you please give me any tips to help make it more stress free? Which of the packages gives the best bang for your buck? Are 5 year olds too young for a drop off party? Is a 10am party on a Saturday too early? If yes, what would be the best time to schedule the party? Will I be allowed to bring in a juice box since some or most of the kids may not be allowed soday yet? Any other thing(s) I should know about for planning purposes. I know CEC is one place that brings up a lot of emotions on this board so if you don't like CEC, posts about how much you loathe CEC and how I should rethink the venue are not welcome. Thanks.