Birthday party question

[mrocco90]

hi, my son will be turning 5 next month and asked to have his party at the movie theater to see inside out. I called and it will be 18.50 a child and includes popcorn, a small candy, and use of the party room. I'm unsure if I should also be paying for the adults to see the movie which would be 5.65$ a person.
Has anyone ever thrown a movie party or went to one? I'm not sure what is normally done when it comes to the parents. Should I include on the invitation how much it will be if additional guest decide to join or is that bad etiquette. Thanks!

 

[davper]

I have not thrown one nor attended one. But here is my 2 cents.

I really think you need to include 1 parent. Assume we know each other. How would you feel if I told you that your child is going into another room for 90 minutes and you cannot join unless you pay me 6 bucks. I don't think I would be able to stop you from going in if you even allowed your child in.

Anymore than one parent or additional guest must pay however.

 

[Sunnywho]

We threw a movie party but we started it and ended it at our house. Parents dropped off the kids and picked up here. That way we were able to do cake and presents at our house in a more relaxed setting. We have 2 minivans so the party was exactly limited to the number of kids we could transport. It was a great party! I suppose we saved money too compared to renting a room at the theater.

 

[aprilgail]

We threw a movie party but we started it and ended it at our house. Parents dropped off the kids and picked up here. That way we were able to do cake and presents at our house in a more relaxed setting. We have 2 minivans so the party was exactly limited to the number of kids we could transport. It was a great party! I suppose we saved money too compared to renting a room at the theater.

I can't even imagine securing in 10 car seats into 2 vans just to go to the movies. The OP's kid is just 5 years old, they all would need car seats- my daughter was in a booster until 6th grade! I think OP should pay for one parent to attend with each child if they want. The one party I went to the parents could wait in the party room while the kids saw the movie which was nice!

 

[GeraldineW]

We have thrown lots of kid parties at various venues. We have not hosted a movie party but we have attended a couple. My answer is based on the guests being 5 years old. We never dropped off or had others drop off their kids for a party at age 5. Parents always attended with the child. Because drop off isn’t really a viable option, when parents attend, we host and feed the parents. I agree with davper that you pay for 1 adult to accompany each guest. And, if one or two kids show up with 2 adults, I’d probably pay for them as well but if all the kids show up with two parents then understandably that is getting too costly. Frankly, I don’t think you want 5 year olds dropped off because not every 5 year old can sit nicely through a movie, some can’t sit that long even with popcorn and candy, some get scared, and you would have your hands full.

 

[aaarcher86]

The one my daughter attended advised parents were welcome and to RSVP with children/adults. It indicated you could drop off too.

That way they knew the amount if tickets to buy.

 

[barkley]

the only bday-movie party my kids were ever invited to had no wording regarding parents attending. I assumed that since I wasn't comfortable just dropping off my 5 year old at a theatre I would just eat the cost of attending, but the host covered it-GOOD THING SHE DID cuz the majority of the parents DID drop their kids off alone, and if it hadn't been for those of us who stayed she would have been left trying to figure out how to get the kids to the different restrooms while leaving adequate supervision in the theatre.

the ONLY time either of my kids got an invite that mentioned a cost for parents to attend (bowling alley-and the cost was printed at a flat rate, not if you chose to bowl or eat the pizza, just a flat rate if you stayed as part of the 'party') we had to rsvp 'no' b/c of a prior commitment BUT I heard after the fact that the hosting parents (and the bday child) were very disappointed when all but family rsvp'd 'no' (IMHO-w/younger kid's parties it's asking an awful lot of a parent to bring their kid-make arrangements for other sibs to be cared for-get a gift AND then pay vs. leaving them w/someone that at best they only know as 'such and such's mom').

 

[staceyeileen]

First of all, as the mother of a 5yo I agree that you assume that at least one parent will be staying throughout the party. I'd probably expect that the host was paying for at least me and my son, but I wouldn't be shocked if I had to pay for myself. I think you just need to be clear on the invitation.

Personally, if I was hosting I'd pay for whoever wanted to come, kids or adults. But I'm also always scared that no one will RSVP!

 

[Nettester]

5 seems a bit young for a movie theater party. If you really want to do it, I would invite maybe just 2-3 best friends and welcome a parent with each if the family would prefer to stay rather than dropping off. Of course, you would pay for both kids and adults, you are hosting/inviting.

 

[Swimalie]

We have been to 2 movie birthday parties. With the first one, my son's ticket was bought and I brought my own that was bought from Costco for a discount. I didn't even ask them if they were going to cover me since I felt better paying myself. They did share the popcorn with me. With the 2nd one, I was helping out the parents so they paid for me to see the movie. Neither of them came with pizza and cake after, though. With the first, we went to a local pizza place that was close and with the 2nd, the theater didn't have a room for that.

 

[mjkacmom]

Honestly, I think they are too young for a movie party. Not all 4/5 year olds can sit through a whole movie. I did it once for older boys (10?). I paid for a couple of other moms to help me with transporting, and buying snacks, and then came back to our home for pizza and cake.

 

[Turn the Page]

Every time one of the kids brings a birthday party invitation home I just groan. It's great that they have friends and all but parties for that age are a pain in the tush.

DSD5 had one last weekend. We got the invitation 3 days before the party and were instructed to bring a dish to pass in addition to the present and had to stay during the whole party. To be perfectly honest bringing a dish to pass was irritating enough if I was told I had to buy a birthday present for a child I didn't even know as well as buy a ticket to a movie I don't want to see then we wouldn't go.

I agree with the above posters who suggested waiting until the kids were old enough to be dropped off to do a movie party.

Or, alternatively, do something at home. If you have a large TV or maybe rent a projector you could set up a movie theater like space in your living room or even outside if it's warm enough. Pop popcorn and have candy. No need to pay out the ears for it. Of course it would be a lot more work......

 

[staceyeileen]

Agree that a movie party for 5yos is unusual. The only parties my son has been invited to so far have been parties at the house or park.

 

[angierae]

A movie party for a 5 year old is unusual, but not out of the question. I would put on the invite that tickets will be provided for the child (and list what comes with that ticket) and one adult, and "additional tickets/snacaks for additional family members can be purchased at the theater."

 

[mrocco90]

Thank you everyone for the advice. After reading this I realize I should wait until he is older.

 

[Kellydelly]

I think you are smart to reconsider. That's not an age where all kids will sit through a movie. Plus there's the dilemma whether the parents will stay or not and bring extra kids along (you know they will). I would just do it at your house, much cheaper and not a problem if parents feel the need to stay.

 

[aprilgail]

Every time one of the kids brings a birthday party invitation home I just groan. It's great that they have friends and all but parties for that age are a pain in the tush.

DSD5 had one last weekend. We got the invitation 3 days before the party and were instructed to bring a dish to pass in addition to the present and had to stay during the whole party. To be perfectly honest bringing a dish to pass was irritating enough if I was told I had to buy a birthday present for a child I didn't even know as well as buy a ticket to a movie I don't want to see then we wouldn't go.

I agree with the above posters who suggested waiting until the kids were old enough to be dropped off to do a movie party.

Or, alternatively, do something at home. If you have a large TV or maybe rent a projector you could set up a movie theater like space in your living room or even outside if it's warm enough. Pop popcorn and have candy. No need to pay out the ears for it. Of course it would be a lot more work......

I always loved when my daughter came home with invites to parties- but if she came home with one that told me I had to bring a dish to pass I would say "no thanks" to that party! You are having the party for your child YOU supply everything, you don't instruct your guests to bring food- OMG how tacky!

 

[kymom99]

Do a "drive in movie" in your yard. Kids love outdoor movies!

 

[HM]

I think it's better to wait until he's older. My DD did a couple movie birthdays in middle school. We did as a PP mentioned and actually held the party at our house, DH and I drove our two cars with the girls in them to the movie and back to our house for cake.

 

[Goofy'slady]

I agree with the other posters about the age and attention span of the attendees. Even though my eldest could sit through an entire movie with only needed to maybe have one bathroom break at that age my youngest couldn't. Even now at 9yrs of age if the movie doesn't meet her expectations she can become restless and ready to go.

I've decided for her 10th bday in a few weeks to take her, two of her friends, big sis and myself to have manicures done at the mall and then pop over to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Then it's back to our house for cake & ice cream.