Birthday party in soft play - advice needed

[LadyBiscuit]

I've decided to book the local soft play for my DS's birthday in a couple of weeks. Am hoping there will be availability but do I send the invites first or book the place first?

There is no minimum number of children I can invite - is five kids enough or will people think I'm dead stingy/is that too few children to feel like a party? I presume I don't have to invite every single child in his preschool do I?

Any advice and suggestions welcome - I'm a total novice at this

I'd book it first, they may even give you the invitations to give out.

Some playcentres do have minimum numbers, our nearest one has a minimum of 6 children.

And no, you don't have to invite every child at all. Do what you want to do, not what you feel you ought to.

Hmm they have no availability on the Sunday which I wanted, but only Saturday. I could do 4-6pm on a weekday but is that going to be unpopular with other parents/is it going to be rammed with big kids? He's going to be 4.

And thanks for advice - there is indeed a minimum number and they do provide invites.

It probably wouldn't be rammed at that time but if it were me I wouldn't be taking my 4 year old along to a party starting at 6pm. Mine go to bed at 7pm and it would just be too late.

Is there something else you could do? Swimming party, another play centre, zoo?

Check out whether a local cinema does sunday morning shows for £1... Parents and children! You could then take them for pizza or something after.

It's usually really quiet at that time. Our vue cinema does it.

It would finish at 6pm not start, but I do think that's probably too late. Vue is a good idea but not sure what's showing yet - I won't be able to book tickets until two weeks in advance and it might be unsuitable

Oh bugger, perhaps we'll just skip the sodding party :o

Finishing at 6pm would be fine with me. DD went to one the other week that finished at 6pm and she is 3.5.

Saturday would be fine, most parties are Sat or Sun.

The 4pm-6pm slot in the week would be ok although personally I would prefer a weekend, I would probably bring my other 2 children with me and pay for them to get in myself and buy them a seperate meal etc, that way I could still be around in case needed.

The after school or weekend slots will both be full of big children, I wouldn't have thought one would be much better than the other, the weekdays might be slightly quieter, but will be slightly more unpopular with the other parents espicially if they have other children to consider.

I would just book it to suit you, hope it all goes well.

The 4pm-6pm slot in the week would be ok although personally I would prefer a weekend, I would probably bring my other 2 children with me and pay for them to get in myself and buy them a seperate meal etc, that way I could still be around in case needed.

If the party was on a weekday I meant I would bring my other children, if party was at the weekend DH would be around to have the other 2 children, BUT I just wanted to make clear I don't mean I would expect them to be included in the party at all, I would sit with them seperately, buy them a meal, pay entrance fee etc.

Thanks for all the advice. There is another softplay but it's minimum 15 kids and a tenner a head which is beyond my budget I think. Plus it's about a 15-20 min drive away which is a pain for people.

I've asked the grandparents if we can switch the birthday lunch to the Sunday as I'd rather do it on a weekend too I think.

Good point skydance about siblings - on that note, I presume the parents will also stay given the children are all 3-4? I'm not sure I can do child control for 7 kids on my own!

Think it depends on your group. I've only just started leaving DS, he is 6.9, but I know people who leave 3 year olds.

We had a soft play party yesterday for DS's 4th birthday. It was great. He had invited 12 children, it was 3.45-5.45.
All of the parents stayed, and it was really nice to actually have time to chat and get to know them.
The one we were at was quite small, and they provided an area for all of our belongings etc. The food was excellent.

Thanks twirlymum - that's very reassuring. This is also a small soft play so generally you can see all the children and I'm hoping the parents stay because I would also like to get to know them - I don't know anyone here yet (just moved).

Okay so if we can't do the Saturday, I will do after pre-school instead.

And I got loads of ideas for presents last night so I'm feeling fairly sorted :)

Good Luck Lady my house now looks like Hamleys!

Oh, and I did explain to parents beforehand that I was sorry, but couldn't invite siblings (just couldn't afford to!) and everyone was fine.

Hi
Book the place first, you dont want to end up inviting people and not having a place to go to!! usually ,when booking a soft play area place,the minimum number is 10 kids, and i think it can go up to 20.