AIBU to think 13 is still young enough for a “childrens” birthday party?

My cousin had a disco for her 13th in a church hall, it was amazing, we all danced to cha cha slide and las ketchup. I think times have changed though and this would now be deemed embarrassing. The cinema or bowling would be a better idea.

Wow the messages have shocked me. Honestly call it a disco, add props for photos, “mocktails” and some good lighting- it’s not like you plan on playing baby shark.

My DD opted to have an ‘at home’ party when she was 13 - silly party games (i can’t remember exactly what, we found some on the internet, several involving balloons , ‘party food’ (in pizza). They all seemed to thoroughly enjoy being allowed to still be kids.

No SEND - they were a couple of local friend and the rest were classmates from her girls’ GS.

Your idea seems relatively ‘grown-up’ OP😂

My soon to be 13yr old dd would love this as would her friends!! If we put it in our communal garden, it would soon fill up with adult neighbours too. I'm just going to Google this and see if I have the budget for it😁

We had a disco dome two years running (summer birthdays in the garden) but I think slightly younger than this, maybe it was 11 and 12. It went down really well! They have Bluetooth so you can make the playlist whatever they want through a phone. I would have thought this would still be ok at 13 but you’d have to check out who your dd wants to invite. If you need to hire a hall too
it won’t be cheap at all and no/shows would be bad. I’d find a subtle way of trying to check if the ppl she likes will come. But I don’t think it’s an inappropriate idea at all.

My NT DS14 went to a girl’s 14th bday party in a local hall with full on disco theme only a few weeks ago. Massive turn out of roughly 80 kids, all 13 and 14 year olds.

Id absolutely go for it! It’s a real shame she overheard your mum. It’s great she’s able to articulate what she likes. Resource bases are completely different and if she’s inviting just the kids from there is sounds brilliant.

My DD would have loved this and wanted exactly this at her 13/14 and even 15th party but in our garden. Her friends were excited for it too but the disco dome company wouldn’t do it the month of her birthday as too cold/wet unfortunately so we ended up with indoor disco parties.

I think this sounds lovely for your DD and I bet her friends will love it too. I feel sad for the posters with 13 year olds too grown up for a disco dome and a slushy!

My DD15 would love this! Watching a movie afterwards with a projector and popcorn could also be great! You could say it’s a disco and movie and if her friends are normal nice children they’ll love it!

It’s common to have 13th birthday “disco parties“ at my DC school at a village hall or similar. DJ, pizza and soft drinks

I have a 13 year old and while we haven't done that type of party since she was a primary child, it sounds awesome and she would definitely go to it!

Ahhhh…ignore your mum, we all know the type. Throw the party, and spam the family group chat with loads of photos to show her how much fun your daughter and her friends are having. It sounds ace!

It’s fine though you may struggle to find somewhere to hold it, it looks high and most halls have noise limitations. If it’s pizza not sandwiches, that means it’s less childlike too. Do pick and mix sweets rather than party bags etc

What a great idea from your daughter.
This looks great! The disco theme with the slushy and popcorn machines etc. make sure your playlist is suitable for dancing and singing!!

Top tip on the photo booth which is a great idea...you can easily set up your own backdrop with some props (silly inflatables, hats, big sunglasses etc) and take photos with your own phones and share.

A floor disco ball (easily bought for £9.99 online) would also add to the atmosphere.

I would just go for more adult type decor rather than very young type.

My teen and most of their friends would love this!

I hope your daughter has a lovely party.

I think it sounds amazing and not childish at all. What you've described is more of a disco anyway. If her friends are similar age and like the same things then sounds like they're on the same wavelength as DD and would relish something like that

I know someone who was so worried what her friends would think about her daughter's proposed wedding that the daughter decided to elope. The planned wedding was perfectly sensible, in a lovely barn venue, but not as posh as mum wanted. She didn't get any wedding as a consequence.

Exactly this! Get a DJ, invite the year group (or a large portion) and throw an evening party.

My DD is 13 this year and I’ve asked her if she would have this for her birthday and she said yeah looks fun. She is NT if this is what your DD wants then screw it. You only live once xxx

Sounds perfectly age appropriate. It’s a disco party that happens to be held in a village hall. Nothing like a kids party. I think if you got one of those selfie booths with props that would work well too. Organise the party and I hope your DD has an amazing time!

It's very different to a kids' hall party, I think your mum has been too harsh.

That said, expecting them to dance can be hit or miss at this age so I would be a bit hesitant. But DS's resource base is mostly boys, which might make a difference.

I agree with others, if you frame it as a disco and steer clear of anything that feels too young, like balloons, it sounds like a great idea. A slush machine and popcorn would be a big hit too. It could also be a really positive experience for her in learning that she doesn’t have mask who she is and hide the things she enjoys just to fit in, especially as it sounds like she’s chosen friends who are are well matched to her and will enjoy it.

I think the mention of a village hall makes people think of kid’s parties, but I agree OPs hour sounds totally appropriate for that age.

I don’t know why you’re describing it as a children’s party. Those disco things are aimed at adults. It’s completely age appropriate. I suspect your mum hasn’t really understood what it is.

It's birthday party season round here and 14 Yr old dd has been to a 13th or 14th birthday party seems like every weekend recently. She and all her friends would love what you describe. No one would find it babyish. Sounds like a blast.

Some of the parties she's been to recently:
Trampoline park
Treasure hunt
Tent sleepover
Painting in the garden
Party games in the garden
Leaping around to music in someone's living room
Outdoor challenges in the garden run by someone's dad
Races and silly competitions at a local park
Making kmart craft kits at someone's house