How many friends for 7th birthday?

[magicwishes]

How many friends would you let your 1st grader invite to their party? We originally planned on limiting it to 20. She really wants to invite 30. Yes, 30. I tried limiting it to 10 thinking maybe it was too broad and that would help her focus on who it was most important to her to invite. That was horrifying to her.

We were planning on having it at our house. We can ask extra adults to be here to help. It just seems a bit crazy to me to include that many kids. It's hard to predict how many will come. Last year she had a good turn out. I don't know how may parents will drop off vs. stay, but we were planning on letting parents know they were welcome to stay but don't need to in the invitation.

Thoughts?

 

[FINFAN]

How many friends would you let your 1st grader invite to their party? We originally planned on limiting it to 20. She really wants to invite 30. Yes, 30. I tried limiting it to 10 thinking maybe it was too broad and that would help her focus on who it was most important to her to invite. That was horrifying to her.

We were planning on having it at our house. We can ask extra adults to be here to help. It just seems a bit crazy to me to include that many kids. It's hard to predict how many will come. Last year she had a good turn out. I don't know how may parents will drop off vs. stay, but we were planning on letting parents know they were welcome to stay but don't need to in the invitation.

Thoughts?

I was going to say 7, 'cause well, she's turning 7. 30? Is her birthday close to Halloween? Maybe 30 if it was sort of a combo thing?

 

[aprilgail2]

We always invited the whole class plus a few extras like her friends not in her class, cousins, neighborhood friends. So it was always over 25. We tried the "no gifts" thing but people brought them anyway so then we did- she donated all her gifts from her party to a charity. She loved the parties but we did not need more toys, she got plenty from family, friends and neighbors! Her friend did a nice party and instead of gifts they asked for a bag of dog food for the local shelter.
I can't say I would have had 30 if I was having it in my house though! e always had birthday parties out so someone else had to deal with the mess!

 

[magicwishes]

Her birthday is in October.

We thought about having it at a park. I'm worried parents won't stay and we'll be watching too many kids even with extra adults. If we include the whole family, that will probably work though.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would say 7 - 10 in your house.

If you really want to have 30, rent an indoor play place for a couple of hours. They usually have staff who will supervise the kids. Order some pizzas and bring a cake. Done. No fuss, no muss.

 

[laughinplace199]

For DS7's last two birthday parties, we invited 20-ish kids - basically all of the boys in his grade. His school has 2 homerooms for each grade, with about 20 kids in each homeroom. Some people invite the whole class, but most invite either the whole homeroom or all of one gender.

I would say 7 - 10 in your house.

If you really want to have 30, rent an indoor play place for a couple of hours. They usually have staff who will supervise the kids. Order some pizzas and bring a cake. Done. No fuss, no muss.

Not sure what the OP's budget is, but that can get really expensive. Around here, most kids party places charge $10-$20 per kid. Then you'd have the cost of pizza for 30+ and a cake to feed 30+.

 

[Disneylover99]

Not sure what the OP's budget is, but that can get really expensive. Around here, most kids party places charge $10-$20 per kid. Then you'd have the cost of pizza for 30+ and a cake to feed 30+.

Totally expensive. I wouldn't do it. But I wouldn't want 30 kids in my house either.

 

[laughinplace199]

Totally expensive. I wouldn't do it. But I wouldn't want 30 kids in my house either.

I'm totally with you - 30 kids at my house would NEVER happen! We've done 20 kids at a party place for the last two years.

This year, I told DS he can invite 5-6 friends over for a birthday playdate. That, I can handle.

 

[Disneylover99]

I'm totally with you - 30 kids at my house would NEVER happen! We've done 20 kids at a party place for the last two years.

This year, I told DS he can invite 5-6 friends over for a birthday playdate. That, I can handle.

My kids don't like to have birthday parties. Can you believe it? Not that I'm complaining! They usually request a family dinner with extended family and they get to choose the meal.

 

[mnrose]

7-10 would be my limit on a party in my house.

When we had "big" parties (which we did, because they are twins, and they each had different friends, different classes at school), we would do some sort of party place...gymnastics, jumping place, movies.

Movie was pretty simple. Bought cake for everyone. Got the party room for a small fee, and went to the movie ($5 each).

Easy.

 

[Happy Snowman]

I would say 7 if you are having it at your house. We did a couple "all class" type parties but they were held somewhere other than our house. Even with a couple extra adults, 30 is just too many kids to squeeze into a house for a party....

 

[lovesmurfs]

One child per year of age has always worked for us. You're only inviting trouble for that number of kids, although remember that not all will be able to come.

You're the parent. You know what YOU and your house can handle. In this case, I'd put my foot down on the maximum I could manage.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Invite them all so you don't have hurt feelings.

* They won't all be able to come
* Some parents will stay

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

When my daughter was in 1st grade I "let" her invite all the kids in her class and a few extra that were really good friends. The little stink then verbally invited all the other kids in the 1st grade . About 75% came so I had a good 45 kids at the party. It is a good thing I always plan for more people than I invite.

 

[Poohforyou]

My dd has a summer birthday so that made it easier not to feel like the whole class had to be invited. Last year she had 14 friends and that was the largest number to date. It's always been 6-8 friends. Next year for her sweet 16 she wants to invite about 40. We'll do it in our church hall with dj, etc.

I can't imagine having more than 10 at my house and even that is pushing it.

 

[bellebud]

If you really want to have 30, rent an indoor play place for a couple of hours. They usually have staff who will supervise the kids. Order some pizzas and bring a cake. Done. No fuss, no muss.

I think while they're young, do the whole class plus whoever else and have it at a place. The older they get, the smaller the parties get. Then you can have a few friends to your house.

 

[Bluestars]

When my kids were young, I let them invite the entire class. One time we had a home party and rented one of those bouncy things. Other than the goodie bags, it didn't cost any more for 3 kids than it did for 30. Many of the kids didn't come.

We also had a party at a McDonald's playland once. Almost all of the kids came, but the cost wasn't bad. Some kids have had parties at the community center where the kids can swim. I don't think the cost is that bad. Others have chosen a park.

If I invited the entire class, it was at a place where the party didn't cost a lot. If the cost was high, I would only invite the girls for my daughter or the boys for my son. When they got older, they liked sleepovers, so they only invited their close friends.

Just because you invite the entire class does not mean everyone will come.

 

[magicwishes]

Thanks for all of the thoughts. We are still in debate. Hopefully once we figure this out for the eldest, it will be easier.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would invite all 30. My parents did it for me - entire class, plus cousins and neighbors - and it was always fun, and it was in my tiny tiny tiny house. Mom would make a pinata about a week in advance, we would get pizzas, chips, fruit, and make a big bowl of punch. Some typical party games, then lots of running around.

SOme of my fondest memories of my childhood!

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

None

Seriously...My two seven year olds are wild enough.

We only let the twins invite one or two friends each because we have a HUGE family and only do one party.