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Original poster

That 8 is NOT too old for an old school birthday party

46 replies

sundaydayisnotmyfundayday · 12/08/2022 10:11

Having a discussion with OH about what to do for DS upcoming birthday. Options are to pay through the nose for a "proper" party at a soft play hell, take the group of 6 bowling, book them for laserquest (which DS has never done but the other kids most likely have) or... invite them here, have some pizza and cake, set up mario kart on the switch (ok not so traditional) and have them play some party games such as pass the parcel, musical statues and whatever else I am hoping you might suggest (lol) and then just play on the trampoline or whatever

OH poopooed the latter because he thinks that 8 is WAAAAY too cool for pass the parcel and the others will take the piss out of DS for having babyish games. I think this is utter tosh. I reckon most kids LOVE the chance to play these kinds of games and would really enjoy an old school style party but parents don't do it because THEY deem it old fashioned.

So. How old is too old for a home party? Am I indeed out of touch?

OP posts:
Tibtab · 12/08/2022 10:14

Have you asked your child what they would like? Some 8 year olds would love the games and some would rather have a few close friends and do an activity.

neverbeenskiing · 12/08/2022 10:14

A party at home is fine, but my 8 year old and their friends definitely wouldn't want to play games like pass the parcel or musical statues.

StandUpPirates · 12/08/2022 10:16

8 is definitely fine for home. But do something like make slime or make a robot and race it etc

InDubiousBattle · 12/08/2022 10:16

I think the pizza and Mario Cart sounds fine but my 8 year old wouldn't be interested in pass the parcel etc.

DixonD · 12/08/2022 10:17

I’m not sure. I went to a party for a 9 year old and 7 year old (it was joint). They’d hired an entertainer and it was full on games for 2 hours. No musical statues or pass the parcel. They did give out prizes and sweets during the games instead.

I think pass the parcel game is fine with age appropriate gifts.

Fairislefandango · 12/08/2022 10:20

Party at home - yes. Old-school party games like pass-the-parcel? No, I don't think many 8 year-olds these days would be up for that!

budgiegirl · 12/08/2022 10:20

We have a Christmas party at cubs every year, for 8 to 10 year olds. They LOVE pass the parcel, and those type of games - perhaps because they don't play them as often any more. We also have quite a few relay/team type games - things like moving maltesers with a straw, rescuing a jelly baby from a pile of flour just using their mouths etc. It's a lot of fun, and the kids love it.

Mally100 · 12/08/2022 10:26

neverbeenskiing · 12/08/2022 10:14

A party at home is fine, but my 8 year old and their friends definitely wouldn't want to play games like pass the parcel or musical statues.

I'm with your oh on this. That would embarass him, he's not a baby! I would go for the bowling idea. Even the Mario kart idea is boring, you can do that any other time.

BringOnSummerHolidays · 12/08/2022 10:29

You can take them bowling and then home for pizza. After that mario kart while waiting for parents to pick up?

Hiphophippityskip1 · 12/08/2022 10:29

We did this for my daughter but had a pinata and they also asked for musical statues. I set up a lego station and dressing up pule in the garden as well as all the balls and outdoor toys and the kids entertained themselves. I did old school party tea of cocktail sausages, pizza, sandwiches, bowls of crisps, sweets and biscuits followed hy ice cream and jelly. The kids loves it and all entertained themselves. They said it was much better than yet another soft play centre party! Parties do not need to cost a fortune. Kids just want treat food and time to hang out with their friends

ChampagneCharlieIsMyName · 12/08/2022 10:29

I think a ‘traditional’ party sounds great fun. But it must involve jelly n ice cream…

Musical chairs is awesome. (always my favourite)

How about Apple bobbing before trying to rescue the jelly baby from a plate of flour?

Or that balloon game where the kids have to form teams of two then steer the balloon from their partners face, all the way down their body and through their legs then back up their back. It can be a lot of fun, and at age 8 ish, is still young enough to not be a sexy game like it is once adults play it.

bring out their competitive side. Remember, it’s not about taking part, it’s about winning. Let everyone win something. Even if it’s ‘best dressed guest’ or ‘most competitive’ and buy some tacky medals to award.

you sound like an awesome mum.

BringOnSummerHolidays · 12/08/2022 10:30

You need an activity but you can save on food by taking them either home or to a Pizza Hut instead of food at the bowling place.

10storeylovesong · 12/08/2022 10:31

I had a group of 7 9 year olds round yesterday. They played table football, FIFA on Xbox, had a massive water fight. There was minimum supervision (in that I was present but didn't organise them) and I provided hotdogs and pizza. I had several messages from parents afterwards saying that the kids had loved it and it was like a birthday party, just without cake.

It has become the norm round here to have at home birthdays, but none of them want party games as such.

Emeraldopal · 12/08/2022 10:33

I think you’re both right.

I think the kids would love the cheaper idea … but I also do think it could lead to pisstaking.

Mally100 · 12/08/2022 10:34

BringOnSummerHolidays · 12/08/2022 10:29

You can take them bowling and then home for pizza. After that mario kart while waiting for parents to pick up?

I would do this.

BigYellowElephant · 12/08/2022 10:36

8 is way too old for a soft play party surely?? Games at home is fine but definitely NOT pass the parcel - the ones a PP suggested would be better, or garden games, sardines etc. You could maybe do pass the parcel with dares, that used to work well in my y5 class but you do have to know the kids well, some would hate it.

Popular parties when my eldest was 8 - trampoline/inflatable type place, gaming bus (she wasn't into that one but a few boys did it), one had a pool party which everyone loved, party at home with sleepover in those teepee things, football party at the pitches where they used to train

SleeplessInEngland · 12/08/2022 10:38

Your DH is right - pass the parcel/musical statues games are too childish for an 8 year old. They'd probably be happy having food and playing video games if you want to do something at home but frankly I'd bite the bullet if you can afford it and pay for a day out.

5foot5 · 12/08/2022 10:38

I think a party at home is fine and some party games also fine, but definitely other activities as well.

I think we had an "at home" party when DD was 7 or 8 and it was mainly a craft party but we filled in a bit of time at the end with traditional games which they all seemed to enjoy. The craft bit went down very well but possibly that sort of thing is more appealing to a bunch of little girls Grin

How about some sort of treasure hunt with maybe a map and clues? Perhaps have them all working together to solve it to save arguments. The treasure could then contain something they can all share like bags of chocolate coins.

Writingworries · 12/08/2022 10:39

I think mine wouldn’t have been keen on old school at 8

skgnome · 12/08/2022 10:39

8 is perfectly fine for a home party with party games
however, 8 year olds may see pass the parcel as a “baby” game - it’s not, just saying
at that age I had a party for my DD, make your own slime, cupcake decorating and lots of party games - I asked a local teen (who they all loved - brownies’ helper) to give me a hand - best £20 I ever paid!
as she “organised” the games - they were “cool” games
simple things like donuts hanging, biscuit game (you put a biscuit on their forehead and they have to move the biscuit to their mouth without using their hands), Pom-Pom race (using straws to blow on pom-poms) - small prizes for each game (which became their party bags) - even pin the horn on the unicorn (same as donkey but with a unicorn…)
they were all big hits - they all had fun

excellentday · 12/08/2022 10:40

Of course its not too old! My DS had a home party for his 8th and the kids all had a brilliant time. In fact they were asking when his next party is because he apparently has great parties.

For context they had hotdogs and chips for food, for games we did:
A treasure hunt (in teams of 3)
Pass the parcel
Musical chairs (cushions)
First to eat the donut off the string
Steal the gift game (this was a massive hit and we did it after a friend had done it for her ds birthday)
and then random shooting each other with nerf guns filling int he gaps.

There were prizes (mostly sweets and pound shop crap) for winners.

redbigbananafeet · 12/08/2022 10:42

I teach that age group and we play old school games and they love them. Even the 'too cool for school' kids get into them when they see everyone is enjoying them and they are 'allowed' to too. Try a mix, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised 🎁

redbigbananafeet · 12/08/2022 10:43

excellentday · 12/08/2022 10:40

Of course its not too old! My DS had a home party for his 8th and the kids all had a brilliant time. In fact they were asking when his next party is because he apparently has great parties.

For context they had hotdogs and chips for food, for games we did:
A treasure hunt (in teams of 3)
Pass the parcel
Musical chairs (cushions)
First to eat the donut off the string
Steal the gift game (this was a massive hit and we did it after a friend had done it for her ds birthday)
and then random shooting each other with nerf guns filling int he gaps.

There were prizes (mostly sweets and pound shop crap) for winners.

What's the steal the gift game: that party sounds fantastic. Kids can play computer games any time and often go to soft play and bowling etc at weekends anyway. Bring back the traditional parties I say! X

FlatBottomedGirl · 12/08/2022 10:45

Your DS might enjoy playing pass the parcel, but it doesn't mean he'd want to have it at his party with his friends. My son enjoyed watching Barbie Charm School on repeat with his sister but would rather have died than watch it with his friends. By 8 you're aware of your street cred and pass the parcel won't cut it for most 8 year olds. A party at home is fine, but stick to mario kart.

parietal · 12/08/2022 10:47

8 is definitely fine for an at-home party with games but you've just got to pick the right games. And don't have too many kids unless you have a MASSIVE house / garden to and extra adults to help organise.