8yo soft play party?

[EatingWormsMichael]

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??

Trampoline parks seem to be thing for 8/9 year olds round our way. Soft play was more for pre 7s. It always depends on the child and their friends though.

We've just been to a soft play party for an 8 year old and my DD loved it! My 7 year old had a wall climbing party for her birthday.

Thanks all! Lots to think about although the consensus seems to be let him choose.

This particular soft play says parties up to 14 yo(!) They have a football pitch and foam ball cannons. It would be chaos so I am conscious of the overspill on other people's fun. Maybe we could take the last slot in the day or do a Friday evening to avoid peak little un time.

I did look at an inflatable arena, its in the next town and I'm not sure if people will travel the extra distance for that, although that would help keep cost down 😉

There's a place that does parkour parties which is half the price, but I don't think he can visualise that.

Foam Canon balls - I want a shot!

It sounds like a fab soft play. Some softplays are better than others and keep kids coming back for longer.
Remember lots of friends will only be so a bunch of 7 & 8 year olds getting to run wild together is going to be fun!
Canon Ball!!!!