What age do children independently attend parties and play dates?

[magicofthefae]

So, just wanted to know, at what age do DC go to friends parties and play dates at their friends houses, on their own? Without the need for the parent to accompany them.

I know decades ago, things might have been different, but what is the stance these days for most parents?

for me it was play dates alone from the start of reception, parties alone from mid way through reception. So 4-5.

8/9

Some year one children are still accompanied - but it really annoys me!

Age 5 for parties round here.
Play dates really depended how well I and my child know the family. So mine stayed to play on their own from 4 if we knew the family well already. For "new" school friends it was only once I got to know the family so probably age 6

Parties depends on the venue- home parties or village hall/sole use type thing from reception. Public venues was older as they still.need supervision in the toilet etc, so probably more like y3.

Y1 in England, so 5-6 years old? Why does that annoy you?

mine don’t go to play dates but the last party I went to every one stayed and children were 6 in year 1 it’s very different to what I hear on MN when people say they leave their 4 year olds at parties alone I’ve never witnessed anyone leaving their child personally so also think it depends on area

Where I live it’s 8/9 years old. But house parties tend to be around age 6.

Y1 for parties here

Well my DC hasn't been to many parties, he's neurodivergent.

But all parties attended so far, parents stay rather than drop off from what I've seen. DC year one, 5-6 year olds now.

Was just wondering when this changes.

Where I live, most reception age children are accompanied but most year 1 children are dropped off.

DD is going to have her 5th party the first week of reception, that will be accompanied as there’s no way she is ready for anything else and the majority attending will only be 4. I think it’s generally Y2/3 around here, unless they know the family well.

I’m in absolutely no rush to leave her in another parent’s care though to be honest. I’d rather stay for a good while yet.

I’m mid 40’s and I think I was at least 8 before I did any playdates unaccompanied, but parties I think was a bit younger, maybe 7 judging on the photos.

My son is in Y2 and I've just started to leave him at (some) parties. If he wants me to stay I will but otherwise he's happy enough to stay alone now. I'm expecting his party (7th) to be about 50/50 on who stays but we'll see.

I only tend to stay since year one if its a risky activity like trampoline or soft play.

Parties at peoples homes and going for ‘tea’ aged 5 and parties at places such as trampoline park… about 7.

It's 4 around here, always has been.

They can use the loo independently and eat properly, follow instructions.

Year 1 around here, reception if I'm good friends with the family. Hardly any parents stay in year 2 for either 6-7 year olds. We are in a medium sized market town.

Once they're settled at school,.so 5 or so

I would have been gobsmacked if a parent had tried to stay at a party with a child that age too.

When they can wipe their own poo reliably on their own! So 4-5 in my experience.

In reception for play dates. Parties it would depend on the scenario and how friendly I was with the host or the other parents who had stayed. Basically if I fancied a chat or not! If it was in a hall or soft play I'd often stay, but generally not in a house.

My dd played at friends houses from 3 without me, she and her friends were in 1/2 day nursery and it was normal for those of us who didn't work but had older ones at the school to take a friend home for lunch and play then return to the school playground at picking up time for the older ones - handy if you had something to do that was more than 3 hours long, drs, job interview whatever...

So the general consensus is 5 years old for house party type things and 7 ish for venue based parties like bowling/laser tag/trampolining?

Doesn't it make it harder to host parties when parents stay and watch your every move? Maybe I'm too self conscious of being critiqued ...Or does it make it easier when the parents are there.

DM in law was shocked when I said I've never been to a party with DC, where a parent hadn't accompanied them. In her day, 4 year olds were dropped off.

Why is anyone watching your every move? That’s paranoia surely?

I was at a 4th party at the weekend, kids played (role play place) and the parents had drinks and cake and chatted. It was lovely. I certainly didn’t watch the hosts!

The venue is 40 mins from home in arse end of nowhere (we are rural). If I didn’t stay, where would I go for the 1.5hrs of the party? Sit in the car? That’s mad.

I suppose if you live in a city it’s different but around here my DD’s friends houses are all 30 mins plus drive away. I wouldn’t want to do 2 hours driving to and from houses for a playdate either.

Mine went to play with friends at 3...parties at 5.