Anonymous wrote:A three hour party is very long, OP. But if you must, do 5-8pm.

For 10 year olds? I don't think so. As a parent with a drop off party I'd appreciate 3 hours. 2 is hard because depending on how far it is it may not be worth going home so then you're stuck trying to figure out what to do.

Anonymous wrote:OP here- what do you think about time?

Is 6-9 too late on a Friday or Saturday? Everyone always has lunchtime parties, but I think a night party would feel more grown up and I'd serve dinner. Or 5-8pm?

My daughters went to a party that was 4-8 the other day. 9 is late to me but I'm a morning person and would hate to go out that late to pick them up, I wouldn't be mad at them being up that late in the summer. (So really I'm the problem, not the party hours).

Anonymous wrote:No painting themselves or hair changes without parent approval. I would not be happy about either.

Not OP but really? You'd be mad if your kid had glow paint or fairy hair? My girls aren't into the fairy hair (they've had chances to do it and always said no), and it's not my jam, but I wouldn't keep them from doing it if they wanted to, nor would I be mad at another parent for offering that!

My 11-year-old twin girls just attended a birthday party with swimming and "cowboy karaoke." I'm not sure how that is different from regular karaoke but they loved the singing part! The pool was just normal swimming, nothing fancy.

We pretty much only do home parties for my now 9 year old. We have done baking, Harry Potter with a ton of activities (slime, cootie catchers) and a full fancy dinner with fancy goblets etc, Indoor scavenger hunt.
I think evening is great as long as you feed them and make expectations clear. I'd do until 8:30 so by 9 everyone can be in bed. Karaoke is a great idea, do 10 people or less.

I think the glow party or karaoke sounds great ... combining them for glow karaoke night would be pretty epic!

The other day I noticed at Target that there are "glow" Swedish fish and sour patch kids, designed to glow under a black light. I wondered who would want that but obviously it would be perfect for this party! I'm sure the kids would love them.

Home parties are so much fun!

Here’s a fun bracelet kit

https://www.kandiesworld.com/products/bead-kit-box-diy-uv-reactive-and-glow-in-the-dark-bracelet-bead-kit-400-box-for-beading-bracelets-necklace-jewellery-crafts

Anonymous wrote:How many people do you invite for your home parties? I prefer home parties too but we had about 17 girls over for my DD last party (turning 8) and they were so wild and crazy I swore I'd never do a home party again. It was like lord of the flies in our house - we barely survived that party.

Op here. 10 people is ideal. 12 is doable too. Our school is pretty small and that’s all her close friends anyways.

The kids have never gotten out of control. My sons have some seriously wild friends and it’s still very manageable. The boys need very active parties though. Mostly outdoors is preferable.

I have a designated party room (family room, kitchen or basement depending on party) and kids don’t get free rein to go to other rooms. I’ve had playdates get way out of control when kids go to tons of rooms and destroy everything. There’s also a schedule with activities planned for certain times so there’s not time to get bored and destroy my house. lol.

Anonymous wrote:OP here- what do you think about time?

Is 6-9 too late on a Friday or Saturday? Everyone always has lunchtime parties, but I think a night party would feel more grown up and I'd serve dinner. Or 5-8pm?

The glow party / disco / karaoke party sounds SO fun to me and unique too. I like the idea of a bubble machine too if it wouldn't make it a wet slick mess indoors. I sort of want to go to an adult party like this!

I think 6-9pm is fine for that age and has a "sleep-under" feel.