Birthday party ideas needed!

[Shelly888]

I can't believe my baby is turning 7! For his birthday, he wants to see Cars 2 in 3D and we are *uber* excited!! . Tickets are not as cheap as I had hoped but I can get adult tickets for 11 through AAA same as kids price(we could see 2D for 7/each) but we want the action!

The movie looks like it will be starting at 7,they might have a 5:30-ish showing, but no guarantee. So we are planning on the 7 show. She said to arrive at least an hour early to give time for a tour of the projector room and have food.

I am trying to decide what to do for food,cake, concession snacks etc. We could do the standard pizza. I was also thinking maybe a subway platter. But other than that I have no ideas. Then I was thinking should we serve cake too? Maybe a small goodie bags with some candy treats for the movie, but then it starts sounding like a lot of junk!

Any ideas? Also would it be obvious to a parent that we are only paying for the invited child? I wonder if parents will stick around or what? Any ideas for invitation wording?

I think I am as excited as he is!!!

 

[Zoemakes5]

Sounds like lots of fun!

If it were me, I would do an after dinner plan, not include food and get each of the kids one of those "kid packs" for the movie. Maybe do cupcakes instead of cake beforehand.

I think goodie bags would still be cool, maybe put in there tokens to play one of the games? Maybe a candy treat for the movie and then some Cars pencils/stickers, etc. (BTW, they have a bunch at the local dollar store...maybe you can score!)

As for the invites, I am always baffled. I even put down what I'm doing like for my son's bonfire party..."we'll be serving drinks, cupcakes and stuff for smores!" and I still have kids that didn't eat expecting food. I would never ever ever think to show up for a party with anyone other than who was invited, and then only if I talked to the person in advance. And I always ask if they need another adult to stick around. If I offer, then I expect to pay. BUT, I've found through the years, much to my amazement, that apparently inviting a child also invites any and all siblings they may bring, the parents, etc. Except, of course, when I'm expecting parents to stay, and then they don't.

I've gotten over that in some ways by having parents drop off their children somewhere other than where the event is....like our house. That way I tend to have more control and people less likely to invite themselves. It's also easier to say...oh, we'd love to have Johnny, but we only have enough tickets/places in the car for billy...and you don't have a freaked out disappointed sibling sitting in front of the event.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think it is a tough call...6:00 is the dinner hour and a lot of folks may leave home 5:30 or so to get there and not have dinner beforehand. Unless you specify cake only or what-ever, I would provide pizza or some other real food. Cup cakes or a cake is pretty much a given for a child's party. The thing is, even if you feed them, kids are going to ask for snacks for the movie. You could say no but........ That really adds up. Maybe you could buy large tubs of popcorn and ask for or bring smaller container to divide. They should not be too hungry and may waste a lot. Ask if you can bring juice boxes. Small drinks for everyone will add up.

I think you need to be clear on your plan to pay for invited children. It SHOULD be a given but some parent will send along a sibling or plan to stay and not offer to pay for their ticket.

Maybe something to the effect of other family members are welcome to come along. We will cover the cost for invited children! Have enough pizza and cup cakes for uninvited siblings at least.

It will all work out and should be a great fun party!!!

 

[Shelly888]

Hmm, I never even considered serving cake only, but I think I like it! would solve my dilemma about having too much junk, parents can feed their kids a more rounded meal, and we can have desert and maybe popcorn too. Now I just need to come up with a way of wording the invite so kids eat first.

 

[nchulka]

Most theaters have free refills on large tubs of popcorn and large sodas. Bring paper lunch bags from home for each child to have their own popcorn. You can do the same with soda. Buy a large and bring some disposable cups and straws from home. buy several boxes of movie theater candy at Wal-Mart. Now each kid has popcorn, soda, and candy during the movie for very little money.

As far as the cake is concerned my kids and their friends have always loved decorating their own cupcakes and it makes my prep time much shorter Bake some cupcakes and buy a tub of icing. Buy a package of small paper cups and plastic knives. Give each child some icing in a cup with a knife. You can even add food coloring to the icing if you want. Put out a few containers of sprinkles and you're set.

As for the invitation I would put something at the bottom that says It is not necessary for parents to stay for the party. If you would like to purchase a ticket and enjoy the movie with your child you are welcome to do so. We will be enjoying cupcakes, popcorn, candy and drinks. (This way the parents know you are not serving food, if they choose not to feed their kid dinner first that is their choice. You will be eating enough that even without dinner no one will be hungry. I can tell you there have been a couple of times in my life I've made a trip like this to the movies into a meal )

 

[dznystar]

I am big into throwing over the top birthdays. It started out as small family parties, but each year has proved to be bigger and better than the last. And now some of the kids start to expect that. I always specify what is going to be served at the party for several reasons, one- allergies or if kids simply don't like what is being offered, there parents can feed them before the party, also so parents can plan meals accordingly. Just because you are looking at a movie during dinnertime does not mean that it is necessary for you to provide dinner.

For the invititation, why not make a "movie ticket" for each child with their name, date, time, location, something that reads "admit one" "child's ticket", etc.