to think this attitude to child's birthday party is a sad reflection of the times

[balletclassonfriday]

A colleague of mine is organising a birthday party for her daughter who will be 9 soon. She is planning on having it at home with party games and a magician (a friend's DH whose doing it for free} and a birthday tea. However, apparently around half of the children from school invited have said they can't come. Some of them told my colleague's daughter yesterday that the reason they're not coming is because it sounds 'babyish' and 'boring' and they only like parties at bowling alleys or where they get to see a movie and have McDonald's.

My colleague is really upset. She can't afford that kind of party and thought 8 and 9 year olds would be happy with games and pizza and birthday cake.

AIBU to be a bit shocked at the attitude of these kids?

This reminds me of a trip to the beach after school one day last year. I thought it was a real treat to pick them up from school and bring them to the sea with togs and buckets etc. My two dc played happily for a few hours but another family who'd done the same for their child had to jolly him along while he kept saying 'When is it time to go home to my Xbox?' He was about 6. [Sad] Incidentally there's a really cool venue nearby that do organised party games, old school style, and it's v popular!

Sounds lovely for 5 year olds, but does sound very babyish for 9 year olds.

My DD always loved a party at home up until and including her 9th birthday. We gave her the option of other birthday party ideas cinema, bowling, pizza party, roller disco, beauty, craft party in a venue etc etc. But she always wanted a party at home with traditional party food and she chose what games they would play which always involved the chocolate game.
We spent quite a lot of money on a nice cake, decorations, good food, prizes and often craft kits etc (so it wasn’t a cheap option but it was what she wanted).
The kids that said no sound like they may have been influenced by parents, maybe one child doesn’t like the birthday child or they think they are all too cool for school.

Funnily enough my eldest who is only a couple of years younger went to a house party last week and came home saying it was the best party she’d been to in ages. I took this to mean it had made a change from the usual types of parties held outside the home.
Unfortunately try as I might I’ve not been able to make any sense of what they did other than make some necklaces. I do know the food was good and they played games - the mum is a teacher so I guess she is well practiced in keeping children entertained.

I've been to balls where a table magician has been part of the entertainment and a large number of adults have thoroughly enjoyed their act. It's very sad that kids are so blasé these days.

It depends how good the magician is! Adults watch magicians on T.V. so clearly they are not all aimed at babies!

Those who are saying it is babyish are probably projecting that onto their kids, nothing babyish about a magician, party games and birthday tea, just because it is not to your liking, does not make it wrong for everyone else. Anyway it is up to birthday girl, it is her party.

Sounds like my 9 year old’s party, except with party games and a lucky dip rather than a magician.

The girls had an absolute ball. Sad that the kids who declined think they are too old for it.

How rude the children were, when u have a party isnt about the likes of the person who's birthday it is not for the likes of everyone else? I find it bizarre that someone would turn down something on just the theme, if they were a good friend , isn't it about spending time with the birthday person. Sounds very entitled to me

I have heard of young teens having a video game party. It’s old-school arcade games inside a truck that parks outside your house. I guess there’s a novelty in that.

An iPad party for any age group is completely depressing.

That is bloody rude,I'd be mortified if that was uttered by one of mine.
Been to loads of kids parties over the years, and it is less usual to have a home party at that age but not completely "out there!"
A party's a party, and my two would have still loved that party at that age.
Sounds like needs better friends.

Dd had traditional parties with party food and party games completely at odds with the parties that she was invited to which were generally, bowling, cinema, play centre. We didn't have any bad reviews and dd and her friends had fun but plenty commented that dd's parties were old fashioned.

@CreakyBlinder
Multi user gaming parties? Gaming parties sound depressing as shit.

Was just thinking the same thing, I suppose it takes all sorts! I have enough of them cabbaging on the effing Xbox as it is without inviting people round for a "party"of it for them all to loll about.
Kids parties should knacker them out and fill them up with crap food lol.

How sad! I could have games/cake/magician for my birthday! It'd be fun!!

My Ds age 10 would love a magic party. Why is magic babyish?

It is my 42 birthday soon, I want an inflatable party, but errm that might be too babyish. Get a life people.

It is my 42 birthday soon, I want an inflatable party, but errm that might be too babyish. Get a life people

That sounds ace, can I come?! Was just about to say I'm a year younger than you then realised I'm 42 myself this year.
Fark me, just depressed meself now!!

GlitterSTick yes you can, one of the trampoline parks near us, has turned into an inflatable park, it looks awsome. Ahhh that is no age, I still think I am 21, even though my face says something else. Apparently there is a market for adult parties: such as trampoline, inflatable, pottery parties, go karts, that some on here would deem babyish.

Aw thanks

We have a trampoline park not too far away, I've yet to go on it though!
I've always fancied the idea of a "ball pool" adult party too, as in the soft play ones.
Can definitely see there'd be a market for it and looks like we're not alone lol!
Babyish indeed
Pretty sad some would write it all off as they were too old and above such nonsense.
Pfft!

I'm just fine thanks, just tired of reading your repeat posts.

steppemum Obviously not reading them very well as you’re missing crucial points of information.

Ooh I fancy a soft party ,apparently I have heard of adults hiring soft play venues in the evenings for parties.

I blame the parents for raising inconsiderate, self absorbed little turds.

Well, I’m 40 and I love magicians. So...

Your dd’s friends are rude.

The 8-9 year olds I know would love that! I would love that - and I’m a fair bit older than 9

It must be disheartening for your friend (and her DD) to have people declining. I hope she has a really lovely day with those who do come. And perhaps with fewer people needing to be fed, her mom can afford something extra special (chocolate fountain?)

I wonder if we are seeing the difference between boys and girls at this age? My DS would certainly have enjoyed this, as would his friends, but sadly I think a lot of girls are moving onto 'pamper parties' or a more grown up meal at this age.