AIBU or is he?

[WaffilyVersatile]

OH and I asked dd what she would like to do for her 8th birthday. She wanted a cinema trip with her friends. Our local cinema does a "party package" which involves a movie during which they are given popcorn, a drink and ice cream and then we have use of a sectioned off area afterwards for around an hour.

Movie starts at 13:30, finishes at 15:50 and we have the party area until 5pm

In my opinion the children won't need much after the popcorn/ice cream/drinks so I was just going to do cake and let them entertain themselves (maybe a pass the parcel?!) but OH is of the opinion that we need to provide a "proper party tea"

What would you do with that hour after the film? There will be around 10 kids all 7 or 8 and the area isn't very large..

Hmm it's tricky because of the timings, an hour earlier or later I would agree with your DH. But you're not really hosting the party during a time most people would be havin a meal, so you could get away with the snacks.

Tbh I would expect my DC to be fed a meal of some variety at a party.

*having

I would do a tea too - followed by cake/ singing! It'll probably be easier to fill the hour with. and my nearly 8 year old would definitely need a "proper" meal between 1.30 and 5. She'd be an emotional wreck if she had to survive for that long on popcorn and icecream! Then maybe have a bit of music playing after for the last half hour.

I'd get a McDonald or hotdogs at the venue with maybe some music from your phone for musical statues and party games (if it's in a room)

In all honesty, I'd take them to the film if that's what they were doing for the birthday treat, and not have the hour to entertain them afterwards - they are going to restless you know!
I would, if I'm honest expect dc to be fed at a party. Generally when my dc have been to cinema for birthdays, they get taken either home or to McDs afterwards and parents collect from there. I wouldn't fancy trying to entertain or feed them in a room at the cinema.

Do you need to do the party package? We've done cinema trips a couple of times and go to the saturday morning Juniors - £1.25 a ticket- film followed by a trip to Pizza Hut or Maccy Ds.

I think you might want to arm yourself with something more substantial for them to eat, but maybe something that won't spoil if they aren't hungry so you can take it back home with you (I'm tight, though!)

I didn't even think about turning down the party area. THAT would have been a smart move in hindsight!

Mcdonalds is on the next road so I will just send OH with a list. Problem is that the party area isn't a separate room, its just a small area of the foyer which they screen off. Im not sure whether there will be room for actual games :s

Oh I wouldn't bother then. Just watch the film and then take them out for tea afterwards. By the time you find a nice restaurant or McD's and order your food it'll be getting on for tea time anyway.