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Party for 4-year old: at home or rent a place?

JKM416JKM416 member
in D.C. Area Babies

My parents held 95% of my brother's and my birthday parties at our house, so I always assumed I'd do that - my mom did such a good job making them fun but not overly structured.  Now that DD's birthday is coming up in June and we'll probably throw her first real party, I'm torn.

I like how personalized - and cheap - a party in our backyard would be, but it takes a bit more planning (like a few activities for the kids) and work on our part (cleaning the house, feeling responsible if any kid gets hurt, etc.).  A space like a gym or bounce place makes sense, but it seems the kids interact with each other less, it's a bit generic, and it can be pricey.  We'd invite 20 kids, knowing that some wouldn't come because summer vacation will have started...and I'd hate to pay a flat fee for a rental space that can accommodate 30 kids but only have maybe 10 there (however, we'd include siblings in the invitation, so who knows...we could have 40!)

Any thoughts one way or the other based on ones you've hosted or attended?   Thanks!

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Re: Party for 4-year old: at home or rent a place?

  • rubriderubride
    Are you inviting people you know well, or also kids in your child's class, etc that you may not know well? I'm a fan of the at home parties b/c they are more intimate, but I totally hear you on the extra stress of cleaning, prep work, etc. If I were inviting children whose parents I didn't know very well I might learn more toward having it at a location rather than home. While DD is younger I plan on having her parties at home and then considering outside the home as she gets older.
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  • bh2720bh2720

    Our friend's daughter turned 4 last fall and they had her party at the National Zoo. It was really fun--they provide you with a party room, zoo employees do fun games and then your group gets a personalized tour of the zoo (it's fairly short for short attention spans). I have no clue about the price, but I was really fun and unique and the kids still got to play games, hang out and have cake in the party room. Oh, and your guests get free parking.

    That said, I think parties at home are really fun and memorable...but yeah, the extra work and clean up makes it less appealing. 

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  • ArtslvrArtslvr

    For us it was a no brainer this year because my four year old turned four shortly I had DS.  Party at our house with colicky newborn did not make sense for us.  Also we have a very small house and winter birthdays - so no fun outdoor activities for us.  Which stinks because I'd be much more inclined to do at home parties if we could spill out onto the deck and into the back yard.

    We did the party at My Gym.  It's $$ but man was it nice to not have to do much.  We made it a joint birthday party with DD #1 and DD #2 since they are both Feb. birthdays, so it was worth the money - two for the price of one!

     

    Wife, Musician, Fed, WW-er, and Mom of three little kids - not necessarily in that order.
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  • mesrmesr
    i'm a huge fan of home parties.  i guess i was just raised going to a lot of them and having home parties myself.  i think that parties at another venue are currently trendy, but to me it seems kind of upscale and out line with my thrifty values.
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  • SofkaSofka

    what about a playground that has a covered picnic area? kids can run around and all you'd have to provide is some food, maybe pizza and cake.

     

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  • kateztakatezta

    We just had DD's 4 yr old party at a MyGym.  It is pricey, but the kids love it and they do a great job.  It has been the go to party in her daycare this year. 

    I would have prefered an at home party for her since she is young, but she wanted to invite so many kids that our house could not accomodate the kids and the parents.

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  • ArtslvrArtslvr
    imagemesr:
    i'm a huge fan of home parties.  i guess i was just raised going to a lot of them and having home parties myself.  i think that parties at another venue are currently trendy, but to me it seems kind of upscale and out line with my thrifty values.

    I had no idea I was "upscale" - nice!  Stick out tongue
    Wife, Musician, Fed, WW-er, and Mom of three little kids - not necessarily in that order.
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