How much did you pay for your child’s last birthday party?

[catcatcat24]

I am starting a business hosting children’s birthday parties.

I do not have any children myself and so I would appreciate some input from others regarding how much you pay on average for your child’s parties and the maximum that you would spend on a 2 hour party.

Thank you!

£450 for 30 kids at soft play, including party tea and party bags.

I think offering catering would be a big pro, even if its just you turning up with packed lunches or similar - takes away a lot of the stress for the parents.

£650 for hall hire, decor, food and an entertainer for 35 children

Last party was around £350 for the actual party. This included the kids making their own cupcakes, then making edible jewellery while the cupcakes cooled. They then decorated their cupcakes and had afternoon tea with hot chocolate before going home. I also bought them all a little set from smiggle instead of party bags which was another £50 or so.

Depends on what you are offering. I paid for an entertainer to come to my home with equipment (computer games) last week and it it was £220. I then provided the food myself.

In previous years I’ve always tried to spend max £200 each on my kids parties. They choose whether to have a more expensive activity for fewer children or less expensive for more friends. Their birthdays are 6 days apart so it’s an expensive time of year.

I spent £150 for someone to come in with several exotic animals for the children to learn about and pet.

£200 for a play town party including food and play but limited it to 10 (i felt that was expensive at the time but it was worth it for the lack of stress)

£150 for a trampoline park and food for 6

£150 for bouncy castle package for all day (did both parties one after another in one day - that was crazy!)

Last year we did parties at home and I spent about £50-80 on each for games, ingredients for baking and kit for crafts, party favours and activites but I also spent extra on food.

One of the best parties i did was a picnic in the park during rule of 6 covid rules so only 4 kids total. We had a great time.

I’m in the south west.

For 1st birthday less than £100. This was entry to soft play for 8 (including my child) and I bought all the kids some snacks of plates of regular toast and fruit toast to share. I didn't pay for parents drinks.
Party bags had some bubbles, stickers and Aldi pom bears to take home.
Didn't have a cake as no outside cakes allowed (only allowed if you buy their exclusive use party package, at a cost of £250 - which seemed extortionate to me for a toddler birthday party).

Upto about £600, but no matter what the activity I have never been bothered about decour so I would immediately be put off thinking that I had to pay for that. I'd rather spend my money on a higher priced activity

€200 for hall hire, bouncy castle and food for 20 kids

6th birthday. Took 4 friends.to £2 kids cinema and McDonald's.l for £4 happy meal, and maybe £5 each on party bags. So.... 5 kids £60 max.

About £400 including venue hire (council soft play) food and party bags

7th birthday was £336 for a princess party for 18 kids, there was a pamper party, bracelet making, disco, food and someone dressed as a unicorn princess. I did the party bags and bought the cake.
6th birthday was trampolining for 22 kids, they provided food, I provided party bags and cake, £440.
5th birthday was tobogganing for 19 kids, I bought food in the cafe at the venue and sorted the party bags and cake, £420.
4th birthday was at a role play centre for 10 kids, they provided food and the cake, I did the party bags and bought a hot drink for all adults, £320.
Next year my dd would like to have a bowling party for 27 kids which would be £442 not including the cake or party bags, so closer to £500 which is a bit too expensive really.

I wouldn’t spend more than £250 ish on the paid for service part of a kids party - I’m in the south east. I’m genuinely shocked people spend as much as they say they do on here! I should find some richer friends! We’ve done a variety of things over the years from church hall with entertainer to a tie-dye party on a bus. Thinking about it, I wouldn’t want a ‘posh’ looking party, I’d feel awkward about it I think. I’m probably not your target market!

Thanks so much for all the responses. I was looking to charge £350 for 10 children so maybe I’m being completely unrealistic so the responses have been really helpful! The parties are aimed at girls ages 5-10 but I guess most kids at that age usually invite the entire class?

We just had one for DS 5th so:
Hall 70
Entertainment 175 (but I think this is cheaper end)
Food 80 quid
Extras 50?

So almost 400 quid. I'd say that is standard. We actually did a joint party to save money!

£35 per head - again, sorry to bang on but we can’t tell you if that’s expensive unless we know what the activities are. It is at the expensive end in general for an entertainer (I am assuming it’s along the pamper party line since you say girls and I do think that is very expensive for that). No all class parties here by age 10 but certainly age 5-6 for some,

mod people seem to want everything included or you would be hiring yourself as an entertainer? Hall hire here is £50, we have a party package that’s £100 for 30 kids including food and reusable plates and cups plus hot drinks for adults. You supply your own cake, we have music system and there’s room for a small bouncy castle (£125) or bring an entertainer, they are typically £200 here for 90 minutes. Hope this helps (I have the hall)

At the younger age of your range it’s mostly whole class parties and definitely your skill set would be wrangling 30 kids high on sugar so traditional games and a basic craft, by 7+ you concept may be more suitable in higher income areas

£500-600 this time for 6th but I’ve always said my DC will get one big party when they start school and I’ll invite the whole class. After that it’ll be smaller family or small friendship group events. Anything prior to 5/6 is a family event only for us.

£300

£400 for an activity at a venue and including materials. Equated to £25 per child. I'd caution against doing anything decor related at someone's house. Children (especially those whose parents have left and are overstimulated) can be wild and you don't want the parents blaming you if a child runs off upstairs, or smears glue on the carpet, or gets a handprint on a wall. You'd probably need insurance for it. A hall tends to be one big room so you can see all the children unless they are going to the toilet. No ornaments or plates to break (bring disposable). It tends to have floor and plain walls so there's much less likelihood of damage and more possibilities you can wipe clean any surfaces, stick up balloons etc without damaging any wall paper.

For class parties I’ve paid max £300 at our local soft play. Most recent birthdays was £80 for pottery painting for a small group, then £80 at Pizza Express, and then for other child £70 for bowling, pizza and ice cream for small group.

Again - you really need to think about geography and demographics. It might be fine for your area and target audience.

If you're looking at a broad mass market outside London/South east then yes £35 a head sounds a bit steep for the activity part of a party only.

I imagine if you've got an idea that is very desirable/Instagramable and you have a market that will pay for that (imagining getting in to an area with footballer families or the like - I e. Lots of money, likely young enough to have youngish children) then it's likely a fine amount.

We spend £250 to book a farm party and then self catered and provided books to take home. All in maybe £400 but that allowed for 25 kids.

Last year we offered Peppa Pig World instead and he took it.

Most soft play parties here are about £12 per child for two hours play and snacks but you need to provide the cake and the party bags.

Probably about £250/300 for a venue, bouncy castle and nibbles

£300, 12 kids pottery painting with food and party bags. I wouldn’t pay much more than that personally.