Updated #25: Would you be disapointed with just cake at a party place b-day party?

[AnnieW625]

Be honest with me.

We are debating about having DD1's birthday at our local Pump It Up! as DD1 has been requesting a party there since January (the last time she went to a party there), and truthfully at the two parties she's been to there she has had an amazing time. However to have the party there on a weekend is $315 (so $343 with tax) and that doesn't include an add on of food. Two slices of pizza per child and a drink is $2.95 per child, and if I just wanted pizza a whole pizza would be $15, so I figure we'd need 3 pizzas, total cost including pizzas and tax is almost $400. We can't bring in our own pizzas (would save at least $20 by buying just two large pizzas from Costco, and having them cut in squares vs. large slices), but can bring in cold salads, and dry snacks (what 5 yr. old is going to eat a cold salad?). I know you can have water bottles on the play floor, but I was thinking of just having snack packs of various cracker snacks like Goldfish, pretzels or fruit snacks available for them to have during a break, and then just do cupcakes in the birthday room. Maybe I could do grapes, strawberries, or orange slices in the middle of the table too. Does that sound reasonable? (I still need to call PIU and see if they will the dry snacks on the play floor)

We could save almost $100 by doing it there on a Monday through Thursday immediately following school, but since we have daycare friends too (and have to be out of town the one day the previous week that daycare is closed (district furloughs) for DN's christening we can't use that day) I would feel really bad if we couldn't have them at the party too, and don't want to inconvenience those parents. We could an all food included party for parents and adults on Friday afternoons for $375 and the party could be from 5 to 7 pm, but that is such a hard time esp. with WOTH parents IMHO.

[babyready]

I would be absolutely fine with that as long as it was not during a mealtime. If the party is 11-1, then I would think people would expect more food. But as long as you time it right, snacks and cake are plenty, IMO. Who wants to spend all their time at a jump place eating anyway?

[kijip]

I would be absolutely fine with that as long as it was not during a mealtime. If the party is 11-1, then I would think people would expect more food. But as long as you time it right, snacks and cake are plenty, IMO. Who wants to spend all their time at a jump place eating anyway?

I agree.

I also would add that whatever food is available should be available for all of the guests, parents included. I recall taking my older son to parties during/near a meal time when he was in Kindergarten, so when I was pregnant with my younger son, and standing around starving because the parents decided that lunch meant only lunch for the kids. I will never do that to anyone, ever.

[mommy111]

cake alone, i would totally be disappointed (my kids are not huge sweet people, so that would mean maybe nothing for them at all). However, what you are suggesting, cake and snacks, would be awesome! Even just an alternative snack for people who don't eat/like cake would be good.

[sste]

I wouldn't mind so long as its not directly at lunch time.

Our local pump it up has some sort of reduced price for the early morning slot. We have been to 2 parties (1 at 9am the other at 915) where they got that reduced price and they just served bagels cut into quarters or donuts and cake. You should ask at your local pump it up about cheaper morning slots . . .

[hillview]

I think cake and snacks (goldfish) would be great as long as it wasn't over the noon hour.
/hillary

[AnnieW625]

I am thinking we would do either 1 to 3 or 3 to 5, which is what we have done with her parties at our house in the past and just had snack foods, and Costco sandwich rolls, and a large bag of salad for the adults and it worked out fine.

[JustMe]

I have done this several years in a row, and it has worked out fine (as far as I know anyway!). Out of your time choices above I would pick the 3-5 time (and I have always done 2-4 or 3-5, depending upon the place), just because I think there its very clear that its not during a mealtime, while some people do still eat a late lunch at 1pm. You are still pretty safe with that, but I might make some kind of a comment about not serving lunch or bringing kids fed and ready to play if you get the earlier time.

[crl]

Afternoon party? Just snacks and cake is great.

Catherine

[brittone2]

Afternoon party? Just snacks and cake is great.

Catherine