My kids will be four in October. In previous years we have had parties that were primarily aduts with a few kids. This year we are having a children's party. I am debating having a backyard party or a party at a bounce house place. In reality, I think the cost would end up about the same regardless where I have it. Friends are telling me to not have the party at home because it is too much work preparing and cleaning up.

Just wanted to get other opinions on this.

Thanks,

Lisa
Mom to Aidan, Christian, and Rachel (10.03.01 @ 36wks)

For my kids Third and Fourth Birthdays we plumped for the play centres places. Their birthday falls in December so having it at home would mean all the kids being indoors - I don't have the room for the start and I would also hate the idea of having to clean the house afterwards. The playcentres are great as the kids have a great time and afterwards we come home to a clean house - I would opt for the playcentre unless you have a large backyard and the guarantee of good weather in October. Regardless of where you pick the kids will enjoy the event so if an outside party is less work for you why not. Good Luck

BGB - Born December 2000

Ash,

Thanks for posting. We live in TX so I am not overly concerned about the weather. If I decide to have a backyard party I will have some alternate arrangements in the event of rain.

Lisa
Mom to Aidan, Christian, and Rachel (10.03.01 @ 36wks)

I love the convenience of an off-site party...no clean-up, no prep work, you can visit with other parents or family members, and no entertainment necessary. To me, it is worth the price. I say relax and have it at a fun place so you can enjoy the party, too!

I had my kids party at a play gym, it was so easy. I literally showed up and paid and went home. They even did the favors. the kids had a ball. I also don't think it ends up being a big difference in $.
Tara

Another vote for a different location. The amount of work to prep your house and clean up is amazing, especailly if everyone is indoors. My kids have a January birthday so we always go out! Actually, we now do a big birthday party every other year and have a special family birthday weekend away in between.

Sharon
8 year old b/b/b + 12 year old son

We have the opposite...July birthdays so it's so hot we can't be outside (we've had a few at home that were scorchers. I had very sweaty friends afterwards!) We've done the off location parties the past two years, and I do agree, that it's worth every penny to not have to clean my house, then to clean it afterwards!

Most of our friends do off site parties (gym/build a bear/mcDonalds, etc.) Actually, my one friend who had it at home was the most stressed. The kids have a great time no matter where it is. I think the key is where will you have the best time?

Krista
b/g/b
July 2001

Hoi Lisa,

With the oldest who has a late October birthday we had it most of the time at home. I liked that better than the one time we went to a gym. I think the kids like them both. The good thing about a home party is that the kids are more free to do what they want and you can go with the flow. Ofcourse I did not have parties (yet) with three birthdaykids and 15 guests. For Lieke I had a lot of games prepaired. They would normaly not play more then half of it. I had them run in the backyard (yes we ALWAYS had good weather) and did some tag-type games. Then I had them in for a craft and we did food, cake and presents. Then I had them outside again with games. So the kids were outside when the parents came to pick them up. The best games we played were the simple old-Dutch children games. Variations to red-light/green-light and 'circle' games. They were new to the kids and they had fun with them. Maybe Ranjan knows some?
I even had Lieke's 7th birthday at home (at 34 weeks pregnant )
Ok way to long but I am an advocate for the home type birthday parties. But like Krista said; whatever the mom feels comfortable with.


Marian mom to Lieke 10-'94 and Teun, Eefje and Pim 11-'0

Lisa,

With my oldest (now 8) I've done both parties at home and offsite. It is very convenient to have them offsite although I've never done one at Pump It Up, she's gone to some there and had lots of fun.

We've done our offsite parties (3 of them, I think) at the YMCA. The first was a swim party when she turned 5 (babies were just 3 1/2mos old so I didn't want to deal w/cleaning our house).

For 6 we did a costume party (again at the Y). Divided the party guests into 3 or 4 groups and had activity centers (like they did in Kindergarten) - had moms lined up to help.

For 7 we did a "fun in the summer" theme in our backyard. Her b'day is May 21 and it is risky w/weather but it worked out that year.

For 8 we did another swim party at the Y and split it with a friend.

Personally, I love the b'day parties, overall I think it's easier to have it offsite - nice to come home to a clean, quiet house - but it's also fun to have the chaos at the house - since you're in TX I'd assume the weather in Oct would be great for an outdoor party (I know it would be great in Houston and Dallas, anyway).

You'll have fun either way you go - my only other suggestion would be to make sure you have adult help lined up.

Marie