What age is too old for birthday parties?

[HeatherandI]

I just wanted to know roughly what age do children stop having birthday parties? My two younger children are having birthday parties still - for my youngest I arrange a simple party with some friends at our house with party games, and my middle child recently had a pool party, but my eldest says she doesn’t want a party this year. She’s twelve, but she didn’t have a party last year due to COVID restrictions. What age do kids usually stop having parties? Or maybe we can do smaller celebrations, like a sleepover with a couple of her best friends? Any ideas?

Would she like to invite a couple of friends to the cinema, bowling, an arcade etc?

Parties were swapped for days out with a friend or two when they went to secondary school. Obviously, they could have a party if they wanted one, but they wanted to go to a theme park/theatre etc. with a couple of close friends instead.

My DSS 17 still has birthday parties! I mean... not like hiring a hall with soft play, they'll have house parties these days!

Miner's 10yo, recently had an ice skating party + KFC for 6. Parties are smaller now, 4-6 kids doing bowling, trampolining, cinema etc, plus cheap food.

Any age can have a birthday party just the nature of the party changes. But they are optional if you don't want to throw a party or cant afford it then don't gave one. My kids both had a party in reception (propernold school bouncy castle/soft play type party) and a party in year 6 (laser quest type party) that was it and I dont feel they have missed out socially or anything.

DD missed the option of a 12th birthday party due to lockdown so not sure about that one but her 13th has been sleepover, pizza, & lift into town for shopping. Her friends have done very similar.

I suggested trampoline park, bowling or swimming but she decided on the above.

Dd always did something with friends (and sometimes family) for all her birthdays. In fact, the first one she didn't was her 18th - it was planned, but covid lockdown struck. She didn't get a 19th either due to restrictions. She's holding out for one for her 20th! She is forever going to birthday parties at university - house parties and nights out mainly.

The nature of the types of parties simply changed. Less whole class parties in big halls to meals and/or days out, to house parties and then drinks out.