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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think it’s impossible to do a whole class party on the cheap?

79 replies

Andjustgo · 04/04/2026 16:07

Is it possible to have a party without spending close to £500? (I’m talking around 25 kids here, there isn’t really a way of inviting fewer guests.)

Definitely absolutely do not want to host at home, it wouldn’t be practical as they are young children so parents would have to stay. And the thought gives me the shivers.

So local soft play / inflatables / role play cafe either charge per head at around £20, working out at around £500, or you pay for exclusive hire of the place for a bit more money. Both these options include food etc.

Or I could hire a hall (but then would need entertainment and bouncy castles seem popular 😱) or a magician / princesses or something. That’s around £200 plus hall hire, food and party bags. On the face of it cheaper but a lot of work involved.

I don’t mind paying but I’m just wondering if this is typical now.

(I do get a large percentage of MNetters wouldn’t dream of anything as vulgar as a kids’ party - this question is for those who do!)

OP posts:
isspringaspringing · 04/04/2026 16:15

Is there anyone who has a birthday around the same time that you could share with? Lots of joint parties when mine were at Primary.

pouletvous · 04/04/2026 16:15

Hall
bouncy castle
ham/jam sandwiches / crisps and party rings
party games: musical statues, pass the parcel etc
cake
haribo

a couple hundred?
If you’re really brave, lose the bouncy but you will have to entertain them for 2 hours

Arrowthroughtheknee · 04/04/2026 16:13

why can't you just invite a handful of them?

Fafner · 04/04/2026 16:12

What age kids? If they’re little, I don’t think they need much. I think I had DS’s Reception party at home, and just let them run around, as did a lot of people, and others just hired the village hall and did party games.i think we did soft play in Year 1, and other years did a trampoline park, a snow dome, and a funky pizza place that had a room of table football tables and arcade games.