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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What kind of parties are loved by eight year olds these days?

39 replies

Astrr · 14/07/2023 13:05

DD turns eight in late September and I’m utterly stumped for party ideas. Her early years were interrupted by Covid so whole class parties have never really caught on (she’s been to three so far and is just finishing year 2) and they seem to be getting a bit old for a village hall and clown affair.

Are they too young for sleepovers by year 3?

OP posts:
Original poster
Astrr · 14/07/2023 13:06

I know I’m being unreasonable by shamelessly posting for traffic!

OP posts:
dorisdoor · 14/07/2023 13:08

What about bowling? Pizza express do pizza chefs where kids can make their own pizzas, or a Pizza Hut party? Do you have laser tag near you, or any trampoline parks.

ChickenSoupAndLokshen · 14/07/2023 13:08

Trampolining?

Badger1970 · 14/07/2023 13:09

My 8 year old grandaughter did a rollerblading party last weekend, and absolutely loved it. It was at a local leisure centre.

toomanyleggings · 14/07/2023 13:11

When dd turned 9 I did one in the house with just the girls. Bouncy castle in the garden, party games with lots of prizes, a dress up theme. They loved it.

noproblemifnot · 14/07/2023 13:11

Not too young for sleepovers ime but I have.all boys so maybe different.

Here's what we did for mine and their friends did at various 8th birthdays:

Sleepover with approx 4 friends - film or mario kart type games then pizza etc. Pancakes in morning
Go Ape
Cinema trip (sat morning showing with lunch after)
Trampoline/bounce parks
Bowling
Climbing wall

itwasntmetho · 14/07/2023 13:11

I don't think they're too young for sleepovers but at that age there may be a split on how many have experienced a sleepover so might be a bit daunting for some.
I'd go with an activity party.

TropicalTrama · 14/07/2023 13:11

Bowling, cinema trip, go ape?

DrunkenKoala · 14/07/2023 13:11

We did local trampoline place for DD’s 8th. They did one hour bounce and then to the party room for pizza and cake (they provided the pizza we brought the cake). I think we had 16 children including DD.

she also went to a laser quest place that was a similar set up as her own party.

PresentPrincess1 · 14/07/2023 13:12

I did a softplay party at that age.

TropicalTrama · 14/07/2023 13:13

Also not too young for sleepovers but if most kids in the class haven’t had one yet then I’d personally be reluctant to host a big group one not knowing how they’ll behave and who is likely to get upset.

Jenpe · 14/07/2023 13:13

We had a party at lush (the shop) they seemed to love it

IrishSee · 14/07/2023 13:21

Laser tag, gaming van, paintballing, jump in/air hop trampolining parties were all very popular at that age with mine. I wouldn't do a sleepover party at age 8.

drpet49 · 14/07/2023 13:25

I wouldn’t do a sleepover at that age either.

murasaki · 14/07/2023 13:35

My neice did trampolining at 8, which nicely tired them out for the sleepover so my sister wasn't too frazzled.

murasaki · 14/07/2023 13:35

Only 6 kids though, plus her sister, so doable.

PresentPrincess1 · 14/07/2023 14:12

Those Pizza Express parties sound cool. I have just googled them. That's somewhere I didn't even consider as I was unaware they did them. I think that would have been my son's idea of a great party!

ChannelyourinnerElsa · 14/07/2023 14:17

Bowling, trampolining, climbing wall, forest skills, themed tea party at home, movie night at home.

No sleepovers at that age for the kids my DC was friends with- my DC might have been ready but their friends weren’t.

Needmorelego · 14/07/2023 14:27

I just did at home.
Pizzas, popcorn chicken, mozzarella cheese sticks etc (from Iceland).
Pass the Parcel, Pin the Tail, Musical Statues etc.
They usually ended up making brackets with beads/dressing up the dolls/improvised karaoke.
Cake obviously.

LiloP · 14/07/2023 14:29

I wouldn’t let my Y3 DD go to a sleepover party. Her classmates did trampoline parties (very popular) and cinema trips.

givemushypeasachance · 14/07/2023 14:33

In year 1 parties seemed to be of the gather in the park for games and food, or hire a hall and a bouncy castle variety. In year 2 it seems to have been more activity-based, trampoline parks, ninja quest, soft play, still most of the class invited. When they offer "party packages" it's a lot less work for parents doing all the prep and delivery! Be interesting to see as they go into year 3 so are turning 8 if it's more of that or if they start switching to the three or four friends coming to do a thing type of party.

FlowerTink · 14/07/2023 14:43

Mine did bowling this year for her 8th.

Other parties we went to were trampolining, ice skating, a mobile farm party, laser tag and cinema

Beachbreak2411 · 14/07/2023 15:06

Roller disco
chocolate workshop
”lush” workshop
swimming

CoodleMoodle · 14/07/2023 15:12

DD was 8 last year and we had a few of her friends over, played some games and painted a ceramic cat (one of those kits from Hobbycraft). It was very squealy but they had fun!

This year (9th birthday) we had the same friends over and hired a lady to come over and do some crafts with them, all with DD's chosen theme. They're all quite arty crafty girls so they enjoyed it a lot and it wasn't too expensive.

StephanieSuperpowers · 14/07/2023 15:14

We did trampolining this year, but others have done slime making (someone comes around with the stuff and makes slime with the kids), Claire's Accessories parties, cinema and pizza...

There's loads of choice, really.