Birthday Party for 6 year old

We're a little new to the whole birthday party thing and my wife and I are wondering what to do for my son's birthday. It brought up a question that we don't know the real answer to and am not really sure how to get a real feel here.

Can we have a birthday party for our son at our house?

On one hand, this sounds like a stupid question, of course we can... However, will we (more concerned about him) be ostracized for it?

He's in Kindergarten. last year we did a party at a place b/c we had my other son on the way and was delivered 1 week after the party so we felt we needed to have something easy. We're not as constrained this year.

So far every party for his classmates has been somewhere. Bouncers and Slydos, Bounce U, the Movies, sports something or other... etc.

So I guess the questions are:
Can we have it at the house?
Will kids come?

We were thinking we could do painting a ceramic or something in the backyard and have the kids play on the big swingset we have, some pizza or cake.

I know I know, F what everyone else thinks, I agree with that, however, I don't want to have a party and have everyone RSVP no, it would devastate him. We're not super close with any of the parents at school. We have 1 kid from around the block from his class I think we can count on either way, but I worry about the rest.
If it matters, we're in the Bellmore/Wantagh Area.

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

I've been to several parties at people's houses, of all age ranges.

Some had pool parties, some rented a bounce house, now that DC are older, they just play video games all night.

I've heard of other people hiring characters, clowns, face-painters, etc.

As long as you have something for the kids to do (doesn't have to be expensive, just activities to keep them occupied), they'll have a blast.

Birthday Party for 6 year old

I think its fine as long as you have an activity to keep the kids busy. I recently went to a house party and there was no activity except putting on a movie for the kids. Granted it was winter...but still....some arts & crafts or games or something was much needed!

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

I prefer parties at places just because I feel like it's awkward to stand around someone's house. But that's my own issue as an introvert. As long as the party had an activity and a specific end time, I would take my son. That's one of the things I like about parties at a place. You know exactly when it ends and you're not stuck for 3-4 hours. You can tell how much I love kids birthday parties. lol

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

You can definitely do a party at your house! We have done a few for my DC at our house. I would make sure as other people said to have a planned activity- craft,pinata etc.
We had a dinosaur theme for my son last year in Pre-k and did a dino pinata, a dino hunt- I gave the kids each a set of play binoculars and hid dinos all over the yard. We lead them on a hunt all over the yard and they had a lot of fun. You can also put out sidewalk chalk and bubbles.
Most parents stayed and I had a picnic table set up with some adult food and water/drinks.

Birthday Party for 6 year old

thanks for the input. definitely open to hearing more from people.

I am thinking it makes sense to put an end time on the invite. That is one of the problems at home, there isn't another party following that causes the need to kick everyone out. LOL.

I can see it being awkward to go to someone's house who you don't know.

I'm going to push my wife to try and have a few play dates at the house before then to at least have a few of the people over before the party. we've so far only had 1 kid over.

I'm thinking on the invite we can try and specify what we're doing (so parents know we're having an organized activity) and have a beginning and end time.

Part of it is probably me being cheap, but after pricing out some of these parties, by the time you book the place, the additional head count, plus the tip for the people, you're at $600 for most of them for literally an hour and half.

Its not that we're broke that we couldn't spend it if we had to, its more just that there are lots of things $600 can do.

Message edited 3/29/2017 10:46:47 AM.

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

I love having parties at home, and we do that a lot, but it doesn't really end up costing me less (but I realize I'm abnormal lol... BUT, I'm getting more for my money at home). I always have a theme with activities. For instance, this year we are having a sewing party, and I bought little sewing machines for all of the girls, fabric for pillowcases, and all kinds of other fun stuff. Last year we had it out at American Girl store...so that was $$$. Year before we brought Eloise at the Plaza to our house with a spa, room service, etc. Year before we did cupcake decorating with fun personalized aprons, year before we did Cinderella "before the ball". I LOVE home parties, and I love planning parties! All of the kids that come seem to love them too!

Obviously my themes wouldn't be something your son would like, but there are tons of great ideas for home parties out there! When my 18 year old son was little we did an at home movie party, I set up the chairs like a theater, had a red carpet runner, a concession stand in the kitchen, etc. We did pizza making one year with cute chef hats for the kids.

I always put an end time on the invite. I usually do 3 hours because 2 goes by quickly...at least for all of the stuff I plan. In Kindergarten the parents stayed, no one stays now. My sister comes to help, and we have it down to a science now!

Message edited 3/29/2017 11:01:48 AM.

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

Yes, I have had parties at home myself and have attended parties at someone's home.

Birthday Party for 6 year old

Home parties can be a lot of fun !!! And its great bc you dont have such strict time limits (unless you want to ). You dont need much to entertain the kids, the kids entertain themselves. An art and craft, swing set, maybe have some balls, outside etc will be enough for them!

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

Of course you can have a party at your house. You just have to make sure you have entertainment for them. I would have more things to do than just a swing set. Maybe have some outdoor games planned. Outdoor toys too.

My niece has done two home parties-one a spa party and one a pony ride party.
She had a lot of kids each time. They had a blast.

Come up with a Plan B in case of rain.

If they are his friends, they will come. I wouldn't worry.

Message edited 3/29/2017 12:43:59 PM.

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

My DS is 8, and he has been invited to parties at people's houses. I think a lot of people don't do them because the thought of having a lot of little boys (or girls) running wild through their house scares them off.

My DS has a December birthday so having it in the yard is not an option. And I can't fathom entertaining a lot of kids inside my house.

So I would just consider how many kids you are having and what you would do. I think some kind of entertainment is a must just so that the kids are occupied.

I live in Bellmore (north) and my son has recently been to birthday parties at kids' houses where it was warm weather and there was an infatable bounce house, and he's been to parties where the video game truck comes. Also, he's recently been to a few birthday parties where the kids have done paintings - like the paint parties for adults, but for kids (and without the wine! lol).

Of course, having entertainment at home can add up, cost-wise, in which case it may just be easier to have it out. If your son likes movies, I know the Bellmore Movie Theater birthdays are popular because they are relatively inexpensive and can accommodate a big group.

If you do an at-home party, I would specify whether it's a drop off or you expect parents to day. If it's a drop off, you have to be prepared to be fully responsible and supervise all the kids. If parents stay, then you have to think about food, drink, etc. for them.

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

I personally dislike bringing my child to at-home parties. They feel so awkward to me asking where the bathroom is and whatnot. I have also found that they drag on and on. I like knowing that a party is 1.5 hours and I can go home!

Birthday Party for 6 year old

If we can attend the party we do no matter where it is being held. I would never think twice about going to one just because it's at someone's home. Personally, I like having my kids parties somewhere because all of the set up and clean up and running of it is taken care of by someone else and it's easier for me. But if it's fine with you then go for it!

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

I don't mind parties at the home and no child will be ostricized for it.
Just have something for them to do.
DD is going to an at home party this weekend and went to one last week and another one in the fall.
It was fine
Also, now that DD is older and drop off parties are more the norm, I mind it even less!

Message edited 3/29/2017 2:30:24 PM.

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

I think it's fine

Just make sure there is activities and for everyone to be using the bathroom lol

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

I think it's fine BUT......if you're expected to hire a bounce house or petting zoo or pony or Beyonce and Jay Z then I think having it at home is ridiculous because you'll probably spend more and then have the headache of setting/cleaning up.

I would do a retro theme- homemade cake, pin the tail on the donkey, those crappy little goody bags. But my DD is little so what do I know?

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

Posted by LuckyStar

I think it's fine BUT......if you're expected to hire a bounce house or petting zoo or pony or Beyonce and Jay Z then I think having it at home is ridiculous because you'll probably spend more and then have the headache of setting/cleaning up.

I would do a retro theme- homemade cake, pin the tail on the donkey, those crappy little goody bags. But my DD is little so what do I know?

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

When kids are little and parents are expected to stay, it's a little awkward if you don't know the parents. But 6yo parties, in my area at least, would be drop off and that would be fine. I did a backyard movie party for my DS' 6 bday and everyone loved it. I did have extra adults on hand to help with the kids though. I like the home drop off parties much better than dropping them off in a public place plus they're closer to home.

My kids wouldn't think twice about where a party was held.

Re: Birthday Party for 6 year old

If you do it at your house put a time limit on it! 2 hours really is enough for that age group. There is nothing worse than going to someones house when they have their adult friends and family there and are just hanging out. Have some type of activity/entertainment for the kids. Have some type of shade if your doing it outdoors. Ive been to great at home parties and awful ones. I won't attend one without a time limit anymore unless it's a good friend.