Post by ellipses84 on Nov 26, 2021 10:27:52 GMT -5
We did a movie theater bday for DS1’s 8th bday near the end of second grade. We had a set number the party included but could add more. We invited the whole class plus some extra friends. The movie was live action, a little scarier than a Disney cartoon, and not something most parents would choose to see, so most parents who stayed did so because their kids didn’t want them to leave and they didn’t know us well. I told people when they arrived they could leave or stay and most offered to pay for themselves or siblings, but we paid. Some chose to leave at that moment although most people didn’t drop off for the majority of school bday parties that year. I think we had about 32 people total including the 4 of us. A few parents and a couple siblings. I was very glad a for the parents stayed because it was a lot of kids and our party area wasn’t fully enclosed, so corralling hyper kids there and to the bathroom and theater was challenging and chaotic. I suggest putting something about “drop your kid off” on the invitation and also make sure there are a couple of extra adults / teens to help out with monitoring kids. I think other party venues with enclosed rooms or employees leading activities are easier for dropoff parties. Most invite the whole class parties don’t have more than 50%-70% attendance, especially if it’s a busy time of year.
We invited the whole class and got 8 immediate yeses. So that's success.
Having an extra adult or two around as a bathroom companion is a really good idea. At least one who for each option. (I have to check out what options are there)