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 my daughter’s parties:
reception, village hall : everyone stayed
class 1 at home: everyone dropped off (this was during Covid rule of 6 though so couldn’t accommodate parents in any case)
class 2 trampoline park: half stayed
class 3 aerial silks: 2 of the more protective parents stayed
class 4, karaoke: everyone dropped off but I had said there wasn’t room for them to stay (otherwise the protective ones would have stayed again I expect)
From attending other parties I’d say most people were dropping off from age 6. Definitely by age 7.

Because I am inviting the child to play with my child, not the Mum to have a friendship date with me.

Yeah, I think it varies by region. Like non south-east regions are more trusting? Laid back? Close-knit communities?

I'm not saying either way is bad or good. Just different. Each to their own. I'm just curious.

Not gonna lie though...can't wait till they're at the age where it's relatively safe to drop and go. I'm an introvert person so making small talk with someone I have nothing in common with, doesn't come easy to me.

@Thegoodbadandugly

Yes you're absolutely right. Im likely neurodiverse too, so sometimes I think in different ways.

It depends on the party and where it is. My son is Year 2 and will happily be left at most parties.

I'm not happy to leave him at soft plays/ trampoline parks where there's a public session on at the same time, I think it's a lot of small children for the hosts to keep track of when there are a lot of adult strangers around. Also many of these are a 20 minute+ drive and in industrial estates so i may as well stay and have a coffee instead of driving home for a short while to come back.

I think it’s more random than that tbh. I’m in SW London so probably only a few miles from that poster and here no one would stay for a playdate even in reception, parties vary but it’s more on practically than wanting to keep an eye ok the kids! Probably more likely that the first few parents to do something and set a precedent and everyone else tends to follow the norm.

No one will expect the host to sit and have a 20 minute conversation with everyone, all people know the host will be too busy to do that. So don't worry, greet each and every guest and they come in. That's super important because many a party i've been and the host hasn't even said hi.

It will be over so quickly! Have fun

I wouldn't have thought they're going to have a friendship date with you. More to chaperone their small child - be responsible for their child's safety and behaviour.

At that age, if I'm hosting a party (not just a few friends over), I'd much prefer the majority of parents stayed.

Play dates unaccompanied at 5.

We are still going to birthday parties (still 5 but now year 1)

@mathanxiety year 1 are 5 year olds and nearly 6. What sort of parties do you think they're having?

DD is in year 1 and has just been to her first drop off party. Play dates seems to depend on how well you know the family and if they’ve been there before