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AIBU?

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Original poster

How far is reasonable to travel to kids party

51 replies

needabreak5 · 08/03/2022 21:24

I'm trying to arrange party for DC 6 (full class). Looking at options, and good one which has availability is at an activity centre about 25 min drive away. Or 50 mins public transport. Is that too far? Would you think this was inconveniently your DC had an invite? We live in quite a small town so not a massive range of options but there are some - it would be a repeat of recent or upcoming invites from other classmates though. Didn't want to 'copy' if that makes sense?

OP posts:
listsandbudgets · 09/03/2022 07:13

I'd be quite upset as I don't drive but probably grit my teeth and get on with it.

Worst we ever had was one which was often motorway and public transport TOOK THREE HOURS each way but was only about 45 minutes to an hour for those lucky enough to drive.

I cried as it was a good friend of DDs then pulled myself together and phoned another parent to ask if they could give DD a lift. She did enjoy it though ( please no one tell me to learn to drive its not that I won't learn bit that I not allowed to)

LoganberryJam · 09/03/2022 07:16

I think 25 mins is fine.

WhatNoRaisins · 09/03/2022 07:21

Everyone has different views on what counts as local or a reasonable drive but really no one is going to care about a repeat of the location or activity.

Talipesmum · 09/03/2022 07:21

I’d maybe save this one for next year? Age 6 I think quite a few parent might want to stay for a trampoline park esp if they haven’t done it before. And if it’s a bit inconvenient you’d be more likely to get better acceptance with a smaller party of closer friends.
I remember over those years there were a LOT of repeat style whole class parties and, while it was a little tedious for the parents, the kids generally loved the familiarity of it.

londonrach · 09/03/2022 07:23

Too far. I have a five year old.

PicaK · 09/03/2022 07:25

Wouldn't even blink at 25 mins. Got a 45 min one once and sighed a bit over that I must admit. Still went though

Ff10n · 09/03/2022 07:31

How well do the parents know each other? We had a lovely class where those who drove / had time would have given lifts to the kids whose parents didn't.

reluctantbrit · 09/03/2022 07:43

Unless it is totally private hire I think a class of 5-6 year old in a trampoline park means parents will stay. DD would definitely have preferred me to stay in such a venue, especially if she hasn't been there before.

Hall or Soft play was more drop and run. Unless you have a totally amazing soft play I would think most have outgrown it by now.

RampantIvy · 09/03/2022 10:43

Soft play wasn't drop and run because it wasn't OK to only have one or two responsible adults in charge of 20+ children.

Anoisagusaris · 09/03/2022 10:57

I’d stick with soft play as the trampoline park could be a party when they see older whereas there are only so many years when soft play is suitable. Kids won’t mind that it’s the same venue as other parties.

MrsPear · 09/03/2022 11:00

I live in London. I don’t drive. It wouldn’t phase me as long as there is something near by that I can do. For my sons next party I’m getting the train with him (quickest route as non car driver) and then I can wonder the shops etc.

marqueses · 09/03/2022 11:06

@BeHappy91818

25 minutes drive is fine.
For you maybe, for me it would put me off as there isn't really time to go home and back again and I wouldn't have the 3 hours spare to drive there, sit at the party and drive home again. That's a big chunk out of a weekend day imo.

Everyone is different, it's silly to assume they will all be the same as you

irregularegular · 09/03/2022 11:07

25 minutes drive seems perfectly normal to me. But we live in a village where a large proportion of activities are about that distance.

irregularegular · 09/03/2022 11:10

In our community, I'd also very much expect parents to arrange lift shares so not everyone has to drive.

RampantIvy · 09/03/2022 11:36

We used to arrange lift shares.

Abouttimemum · 09/03/2022 11:42

I have done this for a trampoline park as it’s the closest one anyway (25 mins) and a treat for DS, as opposed to the local community centres and soft plays etc. I wouldn’t be keen to travel for that time to go somewhere that’s on our doorstep anyway.

NatriumChloride · 09/03/2022 11:49

I wouldn’t mind that distance. Trampolining is very fun and not something we go to very often. I hope your child has a nice party OP.

CherieBabySpliffUp · 09/03/2022 11:50

I don't drive and the 50 minute journey is fine for me. If there's anywhere near by for me to while the time away then it's an added bonus.

dottydodah · 09/03/2022 12:08

That sounds fine to me .However if you have a car it will make it easier .At WE I would think pretty much everyone has access to a car . Weekdays after School less so .I think a different venue would be best .Or becomes more of the same .Have a good time anyway!

Itshothothot · 09/03/2022 16:36

I really hate it when parents have parties miles away!

There is a close friends of dd who always has parties miles away in December near busy shopping areas etc, its a nuisance.

I always keep parties local when i do them

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 09/03/2022 16:39

I'm taking my kid to a party 17 miles away in a couple of weeks. This is an established friend group, they're Y5, and only a handful of them so I guess the mum knows who would and who wouldn't!

5zeds · 09/03/2022 16:43

Depends on the time of day and how long the party is, and if parents are expected to stay. Realistically it could be hellish with an hour in the car plus party time over lunchtime. So either lunch out or babysitters for siblings plus maybe four hours out of the day.

FAQs · 09/03/2022 16:47

Looks like a mixed response, 25 minutes would be normal for us.

RampantIvy · 09/03/2022 17:04

I always keep parties local when i do them

It really does depend on the area you live in. Soft play/other activity venues are mainly 20 - 25 minutes in the car from our village. Although, to be fair, you wouldn't buy a house where we live if you didn't have a car as public transport is hourly and is restricted to only two town destinations.

FluffyBooBoo · 09/03/2022 18:28

I always keep parties local when i do them

Personally I would class four miles away as local. My local swimming pool, high school, supermarket, garage etc were all more than four miles from me. How far 'local' is really depends on how far away amenities are. I guess that's why the answers here are so varied.