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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Party bags with money inside?

32 replies

HazelCritic · 02/07/2025 09:49

My soon-to-be 7 year-old is having a laser tag party at the end of July and there is a massive games arcade in the atrium, which I just know all the kids will want to hang about at!

Would it be crazy to give each child £2 each to play a game or two of their choice instead of a party bag? Or would this cause some kind of chaos?

Vote:

YABU - the kids will argue, complain, run riot, become gambling addicts...

YANBU - giving money to spend at the party rather than a bag full of tat is genius

OP posts:
ItsAMoooPoint · 02/07/2025 10:57

My child went to a bowling party and at the end they were given cake and a coin to play one of the arcades each. Worked well, the kids all loved it

3luckystars · 02/07/2025 10:56

I would still give them some sort of cake in a party bag, they get very annoyed otherwise.

Just wondering, why would a parent not want their child playing an arcade game? Do you mean like Pac-Man type game?

TruthOrAlethiometer · 02/07/2025 10:54

The only “gambling” machines they’ve be able to access is those penny pusher things. The others will be in an over 18s area. If parents are staying then they can supervise their own kid anyway but if not, you’ll need to keep them in an area where you have eyes on all of them. It’s fine to let your own kids run off but you can’t let other kids run off out of sight if you’re responsible for them.

Give them some money, let them play the games, gambling really isn’t an issue as they won’t be able to play on those at their age.

SeaShellsSanctuary1 · 02/07/2025 10:51

It's not a bad idea but the money should be used for gaming only with a very strict no gambling rule.

Gambling ruins lives and some of the parents might have strong views against their child using gambling machines

CCLCECSC · 02/07/2025 10:30

I think this is a good idea

Newgolddream70 · 02/07/2025 10:27

My DS would love this and I would be completely ok with it. But… I am wondering if some parents might not want their kids playing the arcade games. Also, I think at 7, the kids sort of expect a party bag and look forward to that bit. Sorry to chuck in a spanner!

morbidd · 02/07/2025 09:50

I’d have preferred that as a kid so go for it.