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Original poster

8yo soft play party?

29 replies

EatingWormsMichael · 28/07/2022 00:23

My 7yo ds started talking about his birthday today. Its in late Sept. He says he wants a party at the local soft play.

He will be 8. It will be his first year at juniors and he will be in a mixed-age class with half of them already 8/ turning 9.

I feel like soft play is a bit babyish. He doesn't have much experience of parties (thanks covid) so I think he has picked from his limited pool of knowledge. I'm worried other kids will be sniffy about it, and he will lose confidence.

Also maybe after week 1 at juniors he will suddenly be more mature and hate the idea of soft play.

I've looked at other options and think I can find a (much cheaper) fun alternative that suits the age level.

BUT am I being a dick? Should he decide or is it up to me to steer him??

OP posts:

Dinoteeth · 28/07/2022 00:27

I don't think 8 is too big for softplay. As you say this age group have missed out on experiences so it will still be new to them.

Threelittlelambs · 28/07/2022 00:29

I’m over 50, I’d love an (adult) soft play party!! I’m first tot he slides!! Can I come?

Readytoplay · 28/07/2022 00:29

Tbh the last soft play party I attended was a 9th birthday so I don’t think it’s that strange.
Also me and my friends still went to soft play until we were about 12, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much, let the kid pick he wants to do.

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Howmanysleepsnow · 28/07/2022 00:36

DS wanted a soft play party for his 9th. Like you, I thought a 2 year covid absence from soft play had affected his ability to choose. I redirected him to an inflatable centre as it was targeted at 5- adult. In reality, it wasn’t much different!
I suspect a lot of current 8yo would have good memories of soft play from pre covid and not consider it too young. 2 years ago, most 8yo would have (I have a 10yo who had outgrown soft play pre covid)

Original poster

EatingWormsMichael · 28/07/2022 00:37

OK @Threelittlelambs you can come, clicks pen nuggets or hot dog?

OP posts:

EmmiJay · 28/07/2022 00:43

If he really wants soft play then so be it. If he asks for your other idea, might I suggest trampolining possibly? My DD is 8 and that's all her age group seem to love these past few yrs😄

Bookshadow · 28/07/2022 00:51

I think it would be perfect for 8 year olds. Definitely not too old for it.

MyBrilliantFriend · 28/07/2022 04:45

I’d say 8 is on the older side for a soft play party. Do you have a ninja warrior near you? That’s basically soft play but sounds a bit cooler.

VashtaNerada · 28/07/2022 04:56

DS had a soft play party for his 8th, didn’t seem too old at all.

icklekid · 28/07/2022 05:52

My ds just turned 8 and I think some soft play places would be too young - there is one near us that hosts laser quest parties which they still love! Otherwise inflatable parks/ trampoline parks feel more age appropriate. It’s also being aware of much younger children in soft play and 8 year olds are so much bigger… I’m sure ds would still enjoy it but 10 of them at a party might dominate!

Rtmhwales · 28/07/2022 05:56

DSS is nearly 9 and loves soft play. I'd go for it.

WhatsInAMolatovMocktail · 28/07/2022 05:57

Usually I wouldn’t say soft play is top choice for a group of 8 yo but as you say none of them have had much party experience and some soft play centres are amazing. It might not be cool but my dd was regularly having fun in soft play centres at this age when we were out and about (eg local farm with a soft play etc).

Throw some alternatives at your ds, but if he’s sure then go for it.

Lindy2 · 28/07/2022 06:07

Let him choose the party he wants. They've all missed out on parties like this because of Covid.

He is probably at the older end but softplay at 8 or 9 is still absolutely fine. Easy for you too as they will all just run around like mad without you needing to get involved.

Schooldil3ma · 28/07/2022 06:36

I'd just check thr height requirements, our local softplay is maximum 8y/o or something like 130cm, some of the bigger children may be too tall. The softplay I'm referring to is absolutely enormous, 3 floors high, full of death slides etc....so I imagine lots have an even more restricted entry criteria.

CakeCrumbs44 · 28/07/2022 06:43

8/9 year olds still love that sort of thing in my experience. Although it depends on the size of the soft play whether they would actually fit in it!

We had one near us which was huge and we used to go there as teens, it was geared up for older kids and they even had adult sleepovers there. There's also one near us which is a combo trampoline park and soft play, and another which is clip and climb/soft play/trampolines so they can choose what to play on. Is there something like that which might be even more exciting than the local small soft play?

TheTeenageYears · 28/07/2022 06:52

It depends on the facility but I remember getting to a point where they would either age out or be too tall as per the rules so I don't think 8/9 is too old. Maybe present DS with some already researched alternatives and see if any of the options broaden his outlook/change his mind. Possibly make a visit to the centre you might book and see how much he enjoys it/see the ages of others in attendance.

KateRusby · 28/07/2022 06:56

I teach Y3/4 and my class last year often talked about going to the local soft play in the holidays. It's not a tiny toddler one but not huge either.

ZenNudist · 28/07/2022 06:58

It's fine for 8 just choose one that he enjoys and his friends will have a blast

SparkyBlue · 28/07/2022 07:09

We did a soft play for a ninth birthday but it was during the covid reopening phase when lots of places were still shut so we hadn't a great choice. It went great as it was the first actual party many had been at in ages.

reluctantbrit · 28/07/2022 07:17

I think it depends on the soft play place. We have one run of the mill one and you hardly see 8/9 year olds there. On the other side of town is a huge one, big pre-school area and a massive one for up to 12 year olds, more like an inflatable park than traditional soft play and that is a big hit for primary school children.

Maybe look what else is around and give him some options. And research max age and height to ensure it will actually work.

Rememberallball · 28/07/2022 07:18

I would research some of the local soft play venues as you’ll probably find at least one that is geared up to older kids - probably the bigger, more commercial ones rather then small independent ones

gvb8 · 28/07/2022 07:20

Do you have an inflatables park nearby, it has the fun level of soft play but aimed more towards older kids as it's more physical. A couple of soft plays near me have started incorporating inflatables too, so that might be an option if you have that?

flowerstar19 · 28/07/2022 07:20

Just for a few alternative ideas -the best parties my 7 year old has been to recently are: Laser Quest, Clip and Climb climbing and Airhop. But maybe go first to ensure your son enjoys the activity! We hosted a clip and climb one and it was great!

Greycatclub · 28/07/2022 07:24

I think ours stopped soft played around 6/7. She’s 8 now and hasn’t wanted to go for quite some time.

She’s having a Lush party this year so probably not so helpful for you!

Laser quest, bowling, trampoline park etc are all good ideas. But if he has his heart set on it then I wouldn’t worry too much!

cantcomplainabouttheweather · 28/07/2022 07:46

Definitely too old sorry

want about one of those indoor trampoline parks instead?

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