Post by ellipses84 on Feb 17, 2024 19:39:44 GMT -5
$400 to $1000 all in. The low end was when we had it at home and bartered with our neighbor for a bouncy house, tables and chairs to borrow, but we spent a lot on food / alcohol and it was so much work cleaning house and prepping food before and cleanup after, I said never again. Places with strict # limits stress me out though and I’ll always pay extra for whatever siblings / parents want to stay. We try for places that don’t charge for adults. DH and the kids have their bdays the same week so we don’t do separate parties for each kid every year. I try to convince them to go on a trip or to an amusement party. Tween sleepovers have minimal cost.
We had a movie theater bday where they roped off the lounge for a pre-party and then it was $10pp for the tickets. We didn’t have the whole theater to ourselves but they escorted us in first and had us choose our seats. That was pretty affordable for what it was.
Post by ellipses84 on Feb 17, 2024 19:43:30 GMT -5
To add, if we have a party we invite the whole class but never more than half attend. We usually plan for 25-30 kids and about half the parents stay. We could easily spend twice as much as we do for a party that size in HCOL but there’s lots of options and I’ve asked around for affordable recs. Weather can be uncertain for an outdoor party and that stresses me out, too, but a park with covered area is also a pretty cheap option.
I usually end up spending $600 - $1K. We usually have between 10 to 15 kids. One year I think we had like 18 and this year DD only wanted to invite 4 kids. I also spent a lot less (around $200) this year since she just wanted to hang out at home so I didn’t have to pay for any entertainment. Though many parties have pizza and food for the kids and adults, I haven’t always had food for adults because of venue restrictions. The one year I had fourteen 5 year olds and their parents at my house, none of the parents had any pizza! I even got more adult toppings for them. It was so odd.
We are still in the all class party age, so we usually end up with about 15 kids for $35O - $400. DS has a summer birthday so it is unusual that the whole class can make it.
This year I think we will just do it at our house.
All three of my kids have March birthdays so this topic came up this week lol.
I have twin boys in two different public prek classes who are in the same daycare class. We are inviting the 12 daycare classmates and three of the prek friends (two also go to our daycare but in the younger classroom).
Big sis has a birthday 9 days after the twins. Last year she wanted a joint party with her brothers. This year at first she wanted separate, so we were thinking dance party at her dance studio (200$ since we're members for 25 kids) and then a separate party for the boys. But she heard that they are doing bowling, so now it's a joint party this year. The cheapest (and thankfully closest) alley is $14/kid, and includes bowling, shoes and lunch. Of course, between all three kids, we're up to an invite list of 30.
Do you have Chuck E Cheese near you? That’s great for age 5, and they don’t charge for adults (I do order extra pizza for the adults, but it’s not expensive). It’s still not cheap, and we ended up paying more than expected because three people brought siblings, but at least there weren’t adult charges and it was the easiest party ever.
Urban Air is another chain that is relatively pricey but doesn’t charge for adults.
Thank you everyone, especially who suggested gymnastics that was a new one we haven't been to or thought of! There's a studio pretty close that is $350 for up to 10 kids so I think we're going to do that!
I remember as a kid hearing on the radio a mom said she offers her kids $200 cash or a party, and in my kid brain was like "omg that's so much money!" But it seems very tempting now lol.
Thank you everyone, especially who suggested gymnastics that was a new one we haven't been to or thought of! There's a studio pretty close that is $350 for up to 10 kids so I think we're going to do that!
I remember as a kid hearing on the radio a mom said she offers her kids $200 cash or a party, and in my kid brain was like "omg that's so much money!" But it seems very tempting now lol.
Lol, that’s not a bad idea. I once told C (after his party) that the birthday party cost about as much as a new iPad. His mind was blown.
One thing to remember at places that have a party host who run your party (like bounce places, and maybe your gymnastic place) is that typically you would also pay gratuity of probably 15-20% depending on how good they are.
I end up spending like $500-$800 per birthday party. DD likes to do summer pool parties and invite a huge group. So most of that cost is food/drinks/decorations/favors/cake since the community pool reservation is cheap.
If we do a playground party for a younger kid we typically have some kind of entertainment and that is $$ - a guy to run a ninja warrior course or a face painter or something in addition to food/drinks/cake/decoration.
DS1 just had a k1 speed bday party for 8 kids ( the minimum number for a party/reserved racing) and that was over $700 for races, cake, and arcade cars.
This sounds really regional because I haven't really witnessed people bringing entire families to a party unless it was friends of the family outside of school. But, I've also heard people who move to my area say that people aren't very friendly here lol, so maybe there is a correlation.
Do you guys have a Chuck E Cheese? They are really reasonably priced compared to other party places around us, super easy to plan (all online), and don't charge for adults. Kids always have a blast there.
Seconding Chuck E Cheese. We had a great experience with their parties. Super affordable too comparatively. Adults had fun stealing their kids cards and playing too!
I think it’s ok to do whatever you want as long as you are clear on the invitation about what’s happening.
Thank you everyone, especially who suggested gymnastics that was a new one we haven't been to or thought of! There's a studio pretty close that is $350 for up to 10 kids so I think we're going to do that!
I remember as a kid hearing on the radio a mom said she offers her kids $200 cash or a party, and in my kid brain was like "omg that's so much money!" But it seems very tempting now lol.
Oh we have definitely done this.
Also party or specialty summer camp, worked well for my summer bday kid.
I end up spending like $500-$800 per birthday party. DD likes to do summer pool parties and invite a huge group. So most of that cost is food/drinks/decorations/favors/cake since the community pool reservation is cheap.
If we do a playground party for a younger kid we typically have some kind of entertainment and that is $$ - a guy to run a ninja warrior course or a face painter or something in addition to food/drinks/cake/decoration.
DS1 just had a k1 speed bday party for 8 kids ( the minimum number for a party/reserved racing) and that was over $700 for races, cake, and arcade cars.
I think I need my 14 yo to set up a party business for her job this summer.
Holy shit. Granted, both of my kids are February birthdays so we don't have $2000 that month to drop on parties, but that cost is insane. I live in a HCOL city (though not like NYC or California) and never spent more than $300 on a party. We did trampoline / bounce house for a couple of years when the kids were little. We then moved to smaller parties at the house and did food and maybe a craft. Now that they are older, we do something with a couple of friends (dinner and a movie, Top Golf, sleepover) and it's not expensive.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
I feel like 4th/ 5th grade are the height of birthday party invitations, and for DS that was Covid times, so he didn't get much. Now, everyone seems to be making up for what they missed out, and DD is getting a ton specifically from the soccer team. There is a part of me that likes them, and a part of me that is ready for this age group to move to the smaller party situation. I think some parents are holding on longer becuase of not having them during Covid, but it's really not sustainable forever, so I am hoping it dwindles in middle school a bit.
If you can't do a park, a lot of times town rec centers are less expensive options, to rent a room or the pool.
I always try to specify something like "siblings welcome" or "Due to the nature of this party place, we can only accommodate the guest list" or if it's extra for people to come pay on their own. There are a couple public trampoline type places that I always bring my kid's sibling to if there is a party and they aren't invited. I just pay their way and supervise them. I did have a parent tell me (not ask) that they had to bring 2 smaller kids to my daughter's party last year (where extras cost $20 each) and I ate that cost, so I will definitely put a disclaimer in now!
Post by fancynewbeesly on Feb 22, 2024 6:35:43 GMT -5
Places here range from 275 to 500 typically. We lucked out by having both late spring/early summer birthdays. My 12 year old wants a roller skating birthday party which she doesn’t invite the whole class anymore. Roller skating is 275 for 10 kids.
My 5 year olds birthday is right when school gets out. I think her birthday this year actually falls on the last day of school so because of that I don’t feel the need to invite the entire class.
I avoid all trampoline/play places for birthdays because they tend to be super expensive-around 400-600.
Post by arehopsveggies on Feb 24, 2024 20:56:36 GMT -5
We do park parties. And usually a Friday afternoon so I don’t have to pay/book the park. I’m a teacher so it’s awkward having the families at my house. Last year it snowed because spring is crazy…. But oh well.
I’ve always told the kids that they can invite as many friends as their age (6 kids for turning 6 etc) but this year I need them to share their party and I just can’t deal with that many friends. Also, I’m not sure they HAVE that many friends. So I said they could each invite 3-4 friends.
The forest picnic area is my favorite- if you keep the crowd small enough that forest service won’t show up upset you didn’t book for a group.
We rarely do parties, and this is one reason why. I’d much prefer to spend $800 taking a family weekend trip, and honestly, I don’t want 15 gifts from friends. We did one party at a city indoor pool, and that was $400 to rent the entire facility so we were allowed more people than we even know to invite, and then I had pizzas delivered. We also did one at the movie theater, and it was $200 for the theater and we were allowed close to 100 people (we didn’t invite that many) and I bought kids snack packs for the kids. I did a trampoline place once and they only charge for jumpers. Typically, kids jump and parents just stand around and watch, but one kid at our party came with the whole family. I paid for 4 of them to jump @ $25/person, but I was really WTF that they would assume that was my plan. I understand various circumstances…but bringing 2 parents and an uninvited kid AND choosing to have them all jump was pretty bold.
There aren’t a lot of places here that charge for adults in a kids play place, but drop off it also common. It’s also common to write something on the invitations about limiting attendance to the invitee only, or specifying drop off, or even details about the cost per person if parents want to bring siblings and pay directly. I used to think that sort of thing was a little tacky to include, until I paid $100 for one entire family to jump and now I’m on board.
I'm curious now since so many people mentioned it. If you do a park party do you bring tables and chairs and all? That's a big reason why I wasn't into it because that seems like so much work. Whenever I see park parties people have big tents, tables, chairs, and usually a bounce house or something theyve rented.
How much are people spending on rec centers? I also looked at that before posting but the cheapest is $500 and then goes up to $800. And that's just the room space before paying for food or anything else to do inside the room.
I'm curious now since so many people mentioned it. If you do a park party do you bring tables and chairs and all? That's a big reason why I wasn't into it because that seems like so much work. Whenever I see park parties people have big tents, tables, chairs, and usually a bounce house or something theyve rented.
How much are people spending on rec centers? I also looked at that before posting but the cheapest is $500 and then goes up to $800. And that's just the room space before paying for food or anything else to do inside the room.
Here we have pavilions they can rent next to a playground. The pavilion has table and chairs and the playground is the entertainment. So no need to bring a tent/ chairs and bounce house unless the park has nothing.
I can rent a room at the park district for $35/ hour. So I can get the room for $70 for a 2 hour party. The one I looked at is actually BB court or half court so basketball could be the entertainment.