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Original poster

Video gaming party

91 replies

Countrylifemama · 13/11/2021 22:44

Hello!

I’ve got a video gaming party setup for my 8 year old son. The company will provide various consoles and age appropriate games - have this for 1.5 hours. They will be supervising the kids and doing mini competitions; handing out mini prizes etc.

Just wanted some thoughts on whether I should cut short the gaming to 1 hour or 1 hour 15? I’ve been told by the company that the kids play with each on the games so it is interactive etc… we will have enough controllers for parents to play etc too I think ..

Should I then get other traditional party games too? Bearing in mind it’s 2 hour party etc?

Just stressing about it now :/ and wishing I did something alternative

Also are the controllers of Nintendo switch similar to ps/Xbox my son has Nintendo at home and not sure they will guarantee that console

Sorry for the long message! Thank you x

OP posts:
unvillage · 14/11/2021 01:49

[quote StardewMelons]@LucentBlade The only people who speak against gaming are people who have never done it... Or see some teenager on the soaps mashing a controller and shouting Grin. It feels strange to me how people who love telly and films, look down on gaming, the one form of entertainment that requires at the very least thinking Lol[/quote]
With you entirely on that Stardew - I prefer to grow pumpkins though Grin

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/11/2021 01:52

How about a forest walk

DD has a friend who did this in December for three years in a row. I was ready to murder them. Her parents hated DD's arcade party and told everyone at school but me. Happy days.

motherheroic · 14/11/2021 03:56

@ChocolateDeficitDisorder

My DC are grown now, but I would certainly have rolled my eyes if they had received an invitation to a gaming party.

I've spent 10 years working in schools and daily gaming is at least partly responsible for some hefty deterioration in academic and social skills in young boys and definitely responsible for some poor behaviour and impulse control issues.

It's bad enough that so many parents let their children game daily, but to make it a birthday treat too is lacking in imagination and ambition.

What's wrong with a soft-play or a trampoline park at 8 years old? Something physical to use their bodies and maybe try something new? How about a forest walk and some fire-making or shelter-raising?

No one asked.

Anyway, leave it at the max time. I spent 1 hour yesterday just trying to complete a tutorial. The time does fly by pretty quickly.

motherheroic · 14/11/2021 04:00

@Lightswitch123

Why? Why would you have such a thing?

A gaming party??

He's 8.

How depressing

Literally do anything else

Are you going to pay the cancellation fee?
EshanM73 · 14/11/2021 04:19

That sounds great id probably end up joining in being a big kid myself (Joking haha) but one hour sounds perfect, kids spend enough time gaming daily anyway so would be nice to play with their friends IRl i suppose!

TirednWorried · 14/11/2021 06:05

8 year old boys do not want traditional party games!!!

TirednWorried · 14/11/2021 06:07

I've spent 10 years working in schools and daily gaming is at least partly responsible for some hefty deterioration in academic and social skills in young boys and definitely responsible for some poor behaviour and impulse control issues.
How can ypu possibly know that?

shouldistop · 14/11/2021 06:12

@ChocolateDeficitDisorder I dislike computer games but this is a birthday party and a treat. I don't let my kids eat cake every day but it's fine at a birthday party.

Popcornriver · 14/11/2021 07:42

I'll be honest, I've never even heard of video game parties but it's something my 8 year old would absolutely love! Oh look at those children having fun and enjoying themselves... How depressing Confused

I do think some comments around gaming are quite ignorant. What about socialisation, problem solving etc. For really little ones what about all the reading practice? Or you know, simply using it as an activity to chill out and have fun?

icelollycraving · 14/11/2021 07:50

Ds loves gaming. He went to a gaming party but it was also a movie night and sleepover. My poor friend was glutton for punishment Smile
Let them enjoy the full time, certainly don’t cut it short to do traditional games, that’s a bit nonsensical. Do food and let them enjoy the treat. Don’t listen to the people who are so judgemental. You’ve booked it, so go with it.

FreedomFaith · 14/11/2021 07:53

@ChocolateDeficitDisorder

My DC are grown now, but I would certainly have rolled my eyes if they had received an invitation to a gaming party.

I've spent 10 years working in schools and daily gaming is at least partly responsible for some hefty deterioration in academic and social skills in young boys and definitely responsible for some poor behaviour and impulse control issues.

It's bad enough that so many parents let their children game daily, but to make it a birthday treat too is lacking in imagination and ambition.

What's wrong with a soft-play or a trampoline park at 8 years old? Something physical to use their bodies and maybe try something new? How about a forest walk and some fire-making or shelter-raising?

Jesus hello 1980s, please go back there. Hmm

Op, do 1.5 hours of gaming, time passes quickly when you game and the rest for cake etc.

BlackberrySky · 14/11/2021 07:57

My DC are grown now, but I would certainly have rolled my eyes if they had received an invitation to a gaming party.

Maybe you should get with the times then, since you don't have young children any more? Gaming parties for the 8-12 age range and very popular these days, my children have been to loads.

IamnotSethRogan · 14/11/2021 08:09

Oh god I can't believe some people's attitudes to gaming. DS mainly plays Minecraft and I'm pretty impressed with it as a game. It's so creative!

Howmanydays · 14/11/2021 08:24

My DC would love it. Just be prepared for a variety of experience/levels and maybe ask them to tone down the competitive side. I remember a few tears at parties at that age in terms or winning/not winning.

We had a gaming "party" with just four of them for eldest's 9th birthday, so not as fancy, and one of his friends hadn't played video games much before. In my youngest Year 3 class I know of a few who don't own games consoles.

That's the only thing I can see might be an issue. (Any kids like that will probably love getting a go though!)

I agree i wouldn't shorten the one and a half hours, goes quickly.

Howmanydays · 14/11/2021 08:25

DS mainly plays Minecraft and I'm pretty impressed with it as a game. It's so creative!

I'm very impressed watching my 7 year old on Minecraft!

Rubyupbeat · 14/11/2021 08:34

Fantastic idea, keep to the 1.5 and then the other hour for food and maybe a traditional game or 2?
Our neighbour had a party bus come to hers, but was set up with gaming for her son and friends, it looked great.

BitterTits · 14/11/2021 08:41

@ChocolateDeficitDisorder

My DC are grown now, but I would certainly have rolled my eyes if they had received an invitation to a gaming party.

I've spent 10 years working in schools and daily gaming is at least partly responsible for some hefty deterioration in academic and social skills in young boys and definitely responsible for some poor behaviour and impulse control issues.

It's bad enough that so many parents let their children game daily, but to make it a birthday treat too is lacking in imagination and ambition.

What's wrong with a soft-play or a trampoline park at 8 years old? Something physical to use their bodies and maybe try something new? How about a forest walk and some fire-making or shelter-raising?

Is this an evidence-based remark or do you genuinely think your ten years working in a school genuinely justifies your holier-than-thou attitude? Smug superiority makes me sick. I have taught a core subject for twenty years and have noticed no such thing.
elenacampana · 14/11/2021 08:44

@ChocolateDeficitDisorder

My DC are grown now, but I would certainly have rolled my eyes if they had received an invitation to a gaming party.

I've spent 10 years working in schools and daily gaming is at least partly responsible for some hefty deterioration in academic and social skills in young boys and definitely responsible for some poor behaviour and impulse control issues.

It's bad enough that so many parents let their children game daily, but to make it a birthday treat too is lacking in imagination and ambition.

What's wrong with a soft-play or a trampoline park at 8 years old? Something physical to use their bodies and maybe try something new? How about a forest walk and some fire-making or shelter-raising?

eye roll

Embarrassed for your sanctimonious attitude.

Sparklingbrook · 14/11/2021 08:49

A Forest Walk birthday party. Confused Can’t see them getting massively excited about that one especially in the drizzle in November. The cake would get soggy for sure.

Unsuremover · 14/11/2021 08:49

Probably not relevant but as a parent I’d love this because of its inclusiveness. Nothing like either spending hours trying to explain to some parent and venue how ds will be able to join in or not or my personal fave getting a text from a parent saying because of his disability he wasn’t invited. Gaming is a “normal” thing he can do. I’d think the full time gaming will fly by for the boys.

Hope478 · 14/11/2021 08:53

@ChocolateDeficitDisorder

My DC are grown now, but I would certainly have rolled my eyes if they had received an invitation to a gaming party.

I've spent 10 years working in schools and daily gaming is at least partly responsible for some hefty deterioration in academic and social skills in young boys and definitely responsible for some poor behaviour and impulse control issues.

It's bad enough that so many parents let their children game daily, but to make it a birthday treat too is lacking in imagination and ambition.

What's wrong with a soft-play or a trampoline park at 8 years old? Something physical to use their bodies and maybe try something new? How about a forest walk and some fire-making or shelter-raising?

Even if this WAS the case, it's so sad to me that you can't tell the difference between playing video games daily and a treat for a child's birthday.

I hope you never teach my children!

Sparklfairy · 14/11/2021 08:54

I was "rolling my eyes" at @ChocolateDeficitDisorder's post until this bit How about a forest walk and some fire-making or shelter-raising? and now I know they can't be serious Grin

Hope478 · 14/11/2021 08:54

@Sparklingbrook

A Forest Walk birthday party. Confused Can’t see them getting massively excited about that one especially in the drizzle in November. The cake would get soggy for sure.
If someone arranged that for my winter birthday, I'd think they didn't like me. Grin
FrankButchersDickieBow · 14/11/2021 08:55

@ChocolateDeficitDisorder

My DC are grown now, but I would certainly have rolled my eyes if they had received an invitation to a gaming party.

I've spent 10 years working in schools and daily gaming is at least partly responsible for some hefty deterioration in academic and social skills in young boys and definitely responsible for some poor behaviour and impulse control issues.

It's bad enough that so many parents let their children game daily, but to make it a birthday treat too is lacking in imagination and ambition.

What's wrong with a soft-play or a trampoline park at 8 years old? Something physical to use their bodies and maybe try something new? How about a forest walk and some fire-making or shelter-raising?

🙄
logsonlogsoff · 14/11/2021 08:57

My kid went to one - in a video game van- and bloody loved it! 1.5 hours is fine. And ask the people which consoles they have. It is interactive - they do play together or support each other or watch each other.