14 boy birthday party

[Promomx2]

Ds is turning 14 next month and wants to a paintball party, $35 per person. I really don't want to spend that much for just a couple of hours. And he wants to invite 8 to 10 kids. Any ideas of cheaper things. We're in central va, so I'm thinking it's going to be cold.

 

[java]

We stopped parties at 13. It was just 2 friends and him doing something special.

For a big group I would think Rollerblading?
Good luck.

 

[Catrin]

My son will be 14 at the end of this month.

Like the previous poster, his last party was at 12.
Last year, he invited two friends ... and I took them to Lunch at Dave and Busters and gave them money to play the games.

Doing the same thing this year.
Total cost was less than $100.00.
Catrin

 

[Promomx2]

Son hasn't had a party for a few years and this year he decides on this.

 

[quasar4legs]

My son at around 14yrs was invited to a paintball 'birthday celebration'. I forget the exact wording of the invitation but basically every child paid for their own paintball experience and the birthday boys parents provided party food.

There were about 20 boys and they had a great day and all parents I spoke to seemed quite happy to pay for the outing. Not something that I have ever considered doing personally but it worked out great in this situation.

Good luck.

Trish

 

[onelostsockie]

How about a laser tag party? There are people that have the equipment that rent it for parties. I'm not sure the cost, but try a google search of "laser tag party + your local area."

Another idea is to rent a theater in a cinema that can hook up gaming systems. Nothing would be cooler than playing a paintball GAME on a HUGE movie screen!! I know there is a paintball game for PS2, but not sure about other systems. Movie places around here have packages that cater to such thing and have party rooms for the food.

 

[summerrluvv]

I was going to suggest laser tag too. We haven't done that party yet, but maybe next year. We're doing a winter pool party in a couple of weeks for DS's 10th.

 

[BellyBaby]

My son went to a paintball party and we paid his fee in full. I thot it was a bit much ($40) but he had a great time.

How about negotiating the price of the paintball? $5 off each kid? You're bringing in a good amount of coin to the business. They could be happy to accomodate. Asking $15 per kid is not alot, that way your cost could go down to $15 each. Then limit the party to 5 or 6.

 

[JennSaint]

How about a laser tag party? There are people that have the equipment that rent it for parties. I'm not sure the cost, but try a google search of "laser tag party + your local area."

Another idea is to rent a theater in a cinema that can hook up gaming systems. Nothing would be cooler than playing a paintball GAME on a HUGE movie screen!! I know there is a paintball game for PS2, but not sure about other systems. Movie places around here have packages that cater to such thing and have party rooms for the food.

We've done lazer tag parties and they ran about $20.00 per child and included pizza and soda. The kids always have a blast doing lazer tag!

 

[Cindy B]

We stopped birthday parties once the kids began middle school.

 

[mjkacmom]

Funny, ds10 just told me that he wants a paintball party this year, and he's never even done paintball! Unfortunately, he hangs with a large group of boys, there's at least 10 of them, and it's impossible to cut it down (I don't even know who we would cut). Most of them have sleepovers, but our home isn't that big, and I have the other kids to consider.

 

[kimsuenew]

DS had a yearly party through age 13 and then for his 16th. The 1st birthday - 5th birthday parties were simple at home parties or at McDonalds type parties.

His kind, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade parties included inviting all classmates/friends and cousins, and we held those at the local "Chuck E Cheese" type place (we provided everything including food, tokens, goodie bags).

His "Middle School" aged birthday parties (age 11,12,13) were held at a skating ring (once), and twice at a bowling alley. He invited close friends and cousin to these. These parties were fun! They were kind of pricey, but not even close to your price level OP (including favors and food)! Is there any chance your DS would be happy with something like this?

The 16th party was a mostly family clelebration (a couple of friends came).

I hope I do not get flamed for this, nor do I mean to offend anyone who does this, but I was surprised at the post where Dis members child was ask to ask to pay... I have never heard of this! We never expected anyone to pay for any part of DS's parties (at any level... everything was included always) and while he has been invited to numerous parties (held the same places we "partied" at (ecspecially the bowling alley parties), as well as attending a Lazer Tag party, a buddies "9 hole golf outing" party, going to movies/out to eat with pals, ect... he was never ask to bring any money nor pay any type of cost/fee. We always sent him with money to any outing but he came home with it!

 

[Promomx2]

Unfortunately lazer tag is for elementary kids, says my ds. I'm trying to get him to cut down the number that we invite because he has his heart set on it. I'm going to wait alittle while until it's closer to the date and make sure the date isn't gonna be too cold before I call. I found about 5 different places around here, so maybe i can negotiate at one of them.

 

[EthansMom]

Movie Theater Bday Party; Bowling; Scavenger Hunt

When I was a kid, my parents always told me that the number of kids I could invite was partly determined by how much the party was going to cost. At $35 per kid, I'd tell DS he could invite 4 friends. If he wants more friends, then he needs to figure out a cheaper activity.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Movie Theater Bday Party; Bowling; Scavenger Hunt

When I was a kid, my parents always told me that the number of kids I could invite was partly determined by how much the party was going to cost. At $35 per kid, I'd tell DS he could invite 4 friends. If he wants more friends, then he needs to figure out a cheaper activity.

I second limiting the number of guest. My DS is having his bday at an indoor go-cart place. It is $70 per kid. He is allowed to invite 2 friends and that's it or he has to pick something else. They also have a virtual go-cart thing for $35 - then he can have 4 guests.

Good luck!

 

[summerrluvv]

We stopped birthday parties once the kids began middle school.

Well that's nice and inexpensive! But since the OP's son IS having a party, completely irrelevent

OP, do you have an entertainment book that might have the paintball places listed in it? If not, maybe someone on here in your area has one and can look for coupons!

 

[Promomx2]

OP, do you have an entertainment book that might have the paintball places listed in it? If not, maybe someone on here in your area has one and can look for coupons!

Hadn't thought about the entertainment books, I'll check that out. Thanks. I guess I shouldn't complain too much as he hasn't had asked for a party since he was 9, so a party is due.

 

[Danemom]

Last year we gave our kids (13 & 15) a birthday budget. They had $300 to plan their parties and whatever was left was their gift. They had a choice of the cash or us buying a gift with the leftover.

DS's original plan was a paintball party, until he realized it meant no gift. Then he changed the plan to buying a 2 liter of soda, a can of Pringles, and a ball from the Dollar Tree for "entertainment". Both kids ended up doing basically what they'd always done.

It was really a great learning experience for both kids. They learned how much $ really goes into even a sleepover. DD was shocked when she spent $80 at the grocery on dinner, snacks, and breakfast foods.

 

[Chelley00]

We just had our son's 13th birthday party (his first party since he turned 8) at an indoor recreation center pool area. It was $100 to rent the place which gave us 30 passes. We did pizza, cupcakes and the boys played basketball in the pool area (a treat in December!) for a couple of hours, then moved into the open gym area to play basketball and volleyball. All the boys told me they had a great time.


I can't believe the amount of people who make people pay for their child to attend a birthday party. I would never feel comfortable doing that.