Kid bday party question

[sandandsea]

There are 24 kids in DSs kindergarten class. He says he plays with all but 4 of them. This means we have to invite everyone right as we can’t only not invite 4?

We have to pay per child so I’m wanting fewer and we are trying to stick to the 17 kid room size. We are doing it on a Friday night too so will that help limit the numbers?

[hocus2]

I would invite everyone or invite half the class. I would not invite 20 out of 24. On a Friday you won't get everyone coming so I wouldn't worry to much about who is coming. I'd guess you'll be around 17 or 18 kids but it is hard to say. Depending on when the party is exactly it might be as low as 10. My kids go to bed around 8. On a Friday I'd be OK to push that to 9 but some kids just can't do that in K.

[2chatter]

Cautionary tale: I invited DD’s entire class of 22 and we had 20 come to her party in kinder. She didn’t even know all of their names. It was insane.

Most schools do mandate that if you distribute invites at school you invite the entire class.

[mustardseed2007]

Don't forget the siblings that come. But yes, I wouldn't expect them to all attend, particularly if you're having it on a Friday.Although you never know. DS is a December birthday and some years it's been a huge turn out, sometimes it's less than half the class.

[justcheckingin73]

I would invite all. My experience with class bday parties has been disappointing to say the least so I would fear all attending but the reality for me is way less than half would come.

[waverly]

Our daycare and school require that you invite the whole class if you are doing that many kids. I mean you could text 1 kids mom in the class, but 20 out of 24 is not OK.

DS had 24 in his class and 20 came. Those 20 included 3 younger siblings.

[HeartofCheese]

I was going to say invite half guessing that you would end up around 17 with declines and siblings, but K-age is kind of a sweet spot. Younger siblings will generally be 3 or less so likely you could include them without adding to your headcount. And older siblings, presumably 7+ aren't going to want to go to a K party. So I'd invite all and expect that with declines, you'd end up around 17.

[k3am]

Based on the numbers you're talking, it's all or nothing. Or maybe all the boys. But definitely not 20/24.

[sudokufan]

We invited 20, and ended up with 7 kids (including my b-day boy and one sibling old enough to play). And that was day time on a Sunday. I think with a Friday evening party you'll weed out quite a few people, so I'd try not to stress too much about the room limit.

Or, I agree with PP about inviting just the boys, or finding a way to invite a handful that he's closest to.

[2chatter]

I’m surprised at the thinking Friday might decrease attendance...here football season just ended so that means people have free time on Friday nights again. This might be a Texas thing!

[waverly]

2chatter, maybe because kids and parents are tired Friday night. But for a Kindergartner, they would probably be OK, so I wouldn't let that stop me. More for DD and my sake, we don't tend to do much Fri night, but she is only 4.

[sudokufan]

For me, as an introvert, by the time Friday rolls around I need some quiet. DNW to do anything more than go home and crawl into my jammies; maybe order pizza. There are only 2-3 kids in DS's class that I would make the effort for.

[welly01]

I would definitely invite everyone. My experience has been that most kids don't show up. I would take the risk of booking the 17 kid room. I would ask the venue what happens if 24 kids plus their families show up. Personally, unless it was one of DS's actual friends, we probably wouldn't attend a Friday night birthday party.

[sandandsea]

Okay you all are confirming what I’m thinking. Is it bad to hope lots can’t come?