Is this a good alternative to a sleepover for my DD's 7th birthday?

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Posting here for traffic.

My daughters 7th birthday is coming up and she is desperate for a sleepover. I have my doubts as I think it's a bit young, she's in a new class at school so some children have never been to our house and may not feel comfortable.

I found a company that will come and set up mattresses and teepees as per the photograph. I've booked 9 for the lounge and a mix of space and mermaid theme. Told DD we can call it a 'slumber party' from 5pm to 9pm on a Saturday with movies, wii games, pizza and party games if they get bored at any point.

She is happy with this.

What would you think of this? I'm not sure as most of the parties DD has been invited to are softplay or bowling.

I've mentioned to a couple of the mums that I'll put on some nibbles and wine/soft drinks in the kitchen for the adults. They mentioned that they would also come in pjs which would be fun for us too .

Honest ideas? Is this another of my rubbish ideas? I do tend to get them .

Great idea! I think it’s brilliant!

Wow op brilliant!
Sleepovers in our house are for secondary school age dc only!!

Nice idea. Too young for sleepovers.

That looks lovely, but are you suggesting they guests would then go home, leaving you with 9 empty sleeping pod things? I would imagine you'd have a lot of disappointed 7 year olds.

Really lovely but I'm sorry to say a bit of an anti-climax.
For my DD at least, the actual sleeping over is what she wants but all the decorations look fantastic.
The wearing of PJs is also a bit cruel when she wants her friends to sleep but they will all be going home.
I don't mean to sound rude.

Sounds amazing. I think the children will love it so much they won't want to leave though.

Excellent idea. My DD's afterschool club had a pyjama party - in the afternoon - everyone had great fun. This idea is a lovely compromise.

I wouldn't want my 7yo at a party until 9, that's late by the time they get home and in to bed

Are you going to drive them home afterwards? Single parents (or shift workers) with younger siblings in bed won't be able to collect their DC at 9pm on a Saturday night.

Love it what a great compromise.

Sounds great! We did something similar when my DD wanted sleepovers with friends during the summer, it was a great compromise. 5 to 9 sounds very long though, I would finish at 8, but if you are up to it go for it.

My DD has just turned 7 and I think she would have loved this! However she is young for her year, so I think if she’d been invited to something like this which finished at 9pm I’d have been a little reticent as by the time we get home And get her calmed down and into bed it might be a bit late....
I’m sure they will all love it though!

I think it sounds lovely!

That said, I did a full sleepover for dd1's 7th (as did most of her friends) and it was fine.

I’d just say that those that want to stay the night can do so as I can see it being a bit fractious at going home time . Lots of children have had overnights away with beavers etc by 7 and will be fine as long as the parents know that they may need to collect overnight if someone changes their mind at 2 am .

Sounds amazing!!!!

Meant to say, lots of my DC's friends have had pj parties, and none were disappointed that they weren't sleeping over, it's just not the done thing in our area at that age. I think they will be thrilled with that set up.

How are they going to get home afterwards? Lots of parents won't want to be coming out at 9pm for pick-ups, especially if they have younger children at home.

There are 2 children invited who have slept over in the past that would probably stay the night. It's just the couple of mums I have spoken to have told me their children don't like sleepovers so would want to go home.

I guess those who wanted to stay could. I know most of the mums pretty well from school. Just trying to find a happy medium. I don't mind the empty bed situation as the lady will come and collect them the following day.

Wish DD would have chosen soft play as per previous years!

How is 7 too young for a sleepover?

The mums I've spoken to are planning on coming in their pyjamas too and driving home afterwards, all live pretty close. 8pm may be a better finish time. Lots to think about. Thanks everyone!

This looks lovely! Great idea

I wouldn’t let my 7yr old stay over at someone’s house unless I knew them extremely well. There’s plenty of time for sleepovers when they get a bit older.

I didn't click on the video but I think a YouTube family just did this exact thing for their child's 7th birthday party. Sounds fun!

This is just what we always used to call a pyjama party, right? I think the teepees and mattresses are a bit unnecessary, personally, but I'm sure it'll be fine. And much better than a big sleepover at that age.

I’d just say that those that want to stay the night can do so as I can see it being a bit fractious at going home time .

I'd say that some staying and some going would make it even more fractious. Stick with your plan, OP. Everyone knows they are going home and everyone is going home.