DS'S birthday - help!

[Soen]

Hi all,

DS turns 7 next month. I have asked him what he would like to do for his birthday. After discussion, he has said he would like to invite a few friends to the cinema. I said I will look into it.

Only thing is, I can't see film listings on the cinema website that far in advance (we're looking at going saturday 8th feb) so I can't let him choose a film.

The other thing is (and I am aware this sounds dumb), what about the other childrens parents? I've not done this before, is the expectation that they will drop their child off at the cinema then leave? Or are they expected to pay for themselves and sit in on the film (which will obviously be a kids one).

Any advice will be mostly appreciated. Thanks.

Parents ( in my experience) will drop off their dc at your house and you will transport the dc to the cinema. After the film/party/ food then the parents will pick up their child from your house.
I have never known parents to stay at the cinema, pay for DC, or drop their child there to meet the birthday child.

Your house will be the drop off and pick up.
Unless you state otherwise ( which I definitely think would be seem as out of the ordinary)

Sorry, posted too soon.
New Lego Movie is released Feb 8th I think!
Just Google then sort times nearer the event.

Have a look at websites like this to see what's on around the time - if you can do it around Feb half term, there should be some films on

https://www.filmdates.co.uk/films/year/2020/

Parents need to drop off. You'll probably need another adult (either one of the parents or you other half or a friend) in case any kids need the loo during the film, then one can stay with the kids & one can take the others to toilet.

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking parents could drop off and pick up from cinema but not sure now. Will definitely Google lego movie, those films are fun.

Will have another adult with me so that's fine.

Don't Google Lego movie.
My quick search ( supposed to be working) meant I failed to notice it's 2019 release

You can send an invite for the date and ask for them to be dropped at your house at a certain time ( assuming you have transport). Films are usually around 12 or 2 so you can make a rough guess. You just put film TBC on the invitations

I have a car but only two car seats and not enough space for the people ds wanted to invite. Does this sound ok? Meet at cinema in the morning. Watch film. Have a McDonalds. Parents pick up from McDonalds at a certain time?

We have always dropped off at the cinema, bowling, climbing whatever. And picked up from there!

My dd took 10 friends to the cinema for her 7th birthday last year. We saw the new Toy Story, it was a Cineworld cinema and our local one pre-release tickets to book if they expect it to be popular. Everyone met us at the cinema - never known kids to be dropped off at house and expected us to take them, all parties have always met at venue. All parents dropped and left, except one who was taking her other child in to see it but they sorted that out themselves. It was just me, dh and our 8 yr old and we sorted the girls no probs. Just dont make the mistake of letting them have free reign of the pick a mix! That cost £80 on it's own!! My dd has previously been to a cinema party, got an invite saying the date and that they would text a few days before with the film/time once released. All been fine.

Thanks DonPablo, everything me kids have been to, we have had to make our own way there and back. I'm gonna ring the cinema and see of they can give me a rough guide as to what is on on the date specified. Granted they may not know yet.

Thanks LER, I might just do that if I dont get anywhere with calling the cinema. Oh god yeah, the pick n mix. I might just put on the invite that as Maccy Ds will be for lunch, and I'll be paying for that, if parents want their children to have snacks beforehand can they sort it. Cheeky I know but I dont want to have to remortgage the house

We have done drop off at the cinema and pick up from the pizza hut next door, otherwise they could only take one friend. It's no big deal, I mean you take your children to play places for parties when younger and it's no different.

That's what I thought willo. I'm gonna have leave the invite open ended for now since I cant get times/showings via website or over the phone.

Here are our tips following similar type of party.

1. Ring cinema for rough guide of times and what's on and maybe book seats?
2. Get all the emergency numbers of parents/carers.
3. If poss depending on numbers invite a couple of adults to be wingpersons ... for gen sheperding and supervision (if needed, as there's gen one who is a pain) and loo duties
4. Get children dropped at the cinema.
5. Unless you are making it a feature, do not let them near the pick and mix as it will be £80 on sweets and sugared up kids. (Take your own in.)
6. If you are going for food afterwards, suggest in walking distance as driving to another venue without sufficient cars will involve all sorts of transport arrangements which can be tricky.
7. Make sure parents know pick up point and time.

Good luck

Thanks for the tips Hepsibar. Luckily McDonalds is a short walk from the cinema, so definitely manageable. Will ask parents to pick up from there.

We did this for DS1's 7th birthday (he is now 11 so was a few years ago).

• Took DS & 5 friends to cinema. Went to kids' club screening of Paddington, £2.50 per ticket!
• Made each child a snack box with nice reusable lunchbox containing raisins, individual pack of popcorn, sweet & drink. Children kept lunchbox instead of party bag
• McDonald's Happy Meals after film (walked to McDonald's as near cinema)
• Parents dropped off at cinema & picked up from McDonald's
• We only knew a week or two in advance what films would be available, but knew that with kids' club we should be fine.

Whole thing cost under £100!

That's fab, confused! I checked abs the kids club films are from 2.50 a ticket so it should be a fairly cheap birthday. I feel bad he is only going to invite a few friends from his class but I dont fancy a shed of kids to deal with, plus his little brother will be with us as well.

Love the reusable lunchbox idea. How did you hide them in the cinema? They dont like you taking your own food.

Our cinema doesn't mind us taking food, so I'm not sure how you'd get round that one! Maybe take them in a backpack or similar of your own, unless they check bags?

I'm not sure of they check but they definitely prefer customers not to bring g their own stuff. I have a coat with deep pockets... I may just take some packets of sweets in them. Staff aren't likely to check them.

Thanks for all the replies, been massively helpful.

If you normally give party bags. Just make some up with sweets & a small drink. That way you can take them in claiming they're for the kids to take home after the party, but they can have them as snacks in the cinema.