Birthday party

[jess3817]

It'll be my ds 5th birthday in march and promised him a party as he's been to loads since he started school. Most of them have been at the local soft play center, 2 were a bouncy castle in a hall with games etc, and one was a disco with a dj that got them all to do games- and a face painter too.
I was going to do a party at home for him as that's what I did for my older children's 5th birthdays, but don't want to ' let him down so to speak ' by having one at home. Have been looking at a soft play centre in the next town wich is much better and bigger than the local one...
My house isn't that big but reckon about 8 kidies and parents could fit in.
What shall I do? Home or soft play?

Home. He's five!

You go big now, you'll have to keep it up every year.

And if YOU think if it as "letting him down" just because you're not spending a ton of cash then it's YOU that he'll get that idea from.

Do it at home, make it super fun and spend the saved cash on a nice day out for the family or something instead.

Home parties are lovely. I find that the parents appreciate them almost as much as the children (possibly because of nostalgia factor and certainly because of lack of hideous soft play centre). A few old fashioned games and a proper party tea, maybe a cheeseboard for the grown-ups if they're staying (that's what I did, anyhoo).

I've just decided on the way home from another party that I will do it at home. With something for the parents too like you suggest.
I try not to feel like I have to keep up with what everyone else but sometimes get swept along with it.
I'd rather do it at home as I like the games and my older children enjoy it and will help out with the littlies too.