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Parties/celebrations

Whether you're planning a birthday or a hen do, you'll find plenty of ideas for your celebration on our Party forum.

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Original poster

McDONALDS PARTIES- ANY GOOD FOR 5 YR OLDS????

52 replies

milosmum · 29/12/2005 19:56

Hi- i must be one of the few people who have never been to or seen a McDonalds party!?! My son has asked if he can have one for his 5th birthday withe about 6 of his friends..... are they any good? anybody have any advise to offer, ideas on how much per head etc....... cheers

OP posts:

Original poster

milosmum · 29/12/2005 20:24

yeah- thats an idea!

i just think its only one day! and he eats well and is really good so why not give into him on that 1 day???

OP posts:

MrsBubsDeVere · 29/12/2005 20:25

I think that is the best idea snowmangeliz, that way you can change the games etc to your own preference and you won't feel rushed.

I usually had dd1 and dd2's parties at a soft play area but I decided to have them at home next year.

daisy1999 · 29/12/2005 20:27

my dd went to one about 2 yrs ago - absolute crap. Not just talking about the food either - not much entertainment imho.

SnowmAngeliz · 29/12/2005 20:27

Exactly.
TBH, anywhere they'd go they'd be offered the same choice of food, my dd had hers in a soft play centre last year and they got chicken nuggets-fish fingers and stuff.

Hope he has fun

Janh · 29/12/2005 20:30

I have witnessed a McD's party and it really didn't look like the most fun you can have at 5!

Might he like bowling? (you can get those bumpers in the gulleys and a thing to roll the ball down the middle of the lane). Or cinema? Swimming? Local sports centre (football etc)?

sansouci · 29/12/2005 20:30

No good for anyone. barf.

myrrhthamoo · 29/12/2005 20:31

I agree with Hula - it really depends on who is doing the party. I've been to a couple where it's been a surly and embarrassed looking teenager running the party games - and I've been to ones where the party organiser was pretty good. The food is standard McD's fare. Sometimes they do things like face-painting. The thing I don't like (at the ones I've been to anyway) is that the party has just been in the restaurant - not a separate room - so unless parents are going to stay you have to keep a very close eye on the children. I would, personally, try and dissuade him - but if it's really what he wants, it's only an hour or so, when all's said and done.

anchovies · 29/12/2005 20:32

I can remember my little brother being desperate for a mcdonalds party and my mum doing a home made version. She made boxes with toys (better than happy meal ones) and put home made chips and chicken nuggets in little bags in the box. They all decorated their own boxes etc before eating and then did the usual games.

daisy1999 · 29/12/2005 20:32

we went to a brewsters one at age 5 and it was great.

shepherdswatchedtheirflockets · 29/12/2005 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Hulababy · 29/12/2005 20:33

Have to agree, despite having run these parties many times, that I would think that nowadays there are far better and more fun venues for parties than MacDonalds.

Original poster

milosmum · 29/12/2005 20:35

yeah anchovies- i did think of that..... hes not dead set on it and has also asked about a wacky warehouse one but i didint really like the idea of them filling their bellies THEN going to play!.....(his friend had one recently and there were alot of sick kids!)

OP posts:

WigWamBam · 29/12/2005 20:36

Most of the Wacky ones play first, then eat!

sansouci · 29/12/2005 20:36

IMO, 5 yr olds are not interested in food. Put them in a large empty room & give them something to drink & a piece of cake & they're as happy as larry. They love running around & shouting. And watching the birthday kid open his/her pressies is great fun, too.

p.s. my dd is 5 & has 21 kids in her class. I've watched every single party.

GoodKingWestCountryLass · 30/12/2005 21:21

DS had his 4th birthday aprty at McDonalds and it was great!

I think it would depend on the McDonalds (the one we had it at was on the outskirts of a retail centre, very big but not that busy, had a raised area where the party took place and one of those big softplay/tubes climbing frame things outside) and also on the person leading the party (ours was really energetic, great with the kids).

They just had musical bumps, musical chairs and pass the parcel (prizes/parcel supplied by McDonalds), then the kids had their food and cut the cake and there was time for a bit of a mini disco at the end.

I figured with the food thing, McDonalds is no worse than 'normal' party food and for DS a real treat shrugs

notasheep · 30/12/2005 21:39

DD never goes to Mcdonalds,she is 6 on Sunday,i asked her what she wanted to do and youve guessed.
Mcdonalds for lunch with one schoolfriend.

Then when they get back to school a fantastic swimming party-the pool is only £16 to hire for an hour.

So we have both there-healthy and unhealthy!

Salsa · 30/12/2005 21:59

I live amongst a large group of international mums and every one I know takes their kids to Mc Donalds.

I shall not ask why you don't
Not the best place for a party though. Not enough entertainment.

notasheep · 30/12/2005 22:06

Didnt use see the documentary on eating Mcdonalds for a month!

notasheep · 31/12/2005 08:59

Read Fast Food Nation

Enideepmidwinter · 31/12/2005 09:51

why let that money grabbing, unethical company make money out of your son's birthday?

GoodKingWestCountryLass · 02/01/2006 23:46

I did see the documentary. We are talking about one party, one meal, not breakfast, lunch and dinner for a month!

If I ate jsut chocolate, or just crisps, or even only advacados or chickpeas for a month I am sure i'd be feeling pretty awful.

RTKangaSantaMummy · 03/01/2006 01:02

DS went to one years ago when he was about 5 and it was fine

At the local one there is a play area with climbing tubes, + ball pond etc and good fun

We don't eat McD any more but if that is what he wants why not?

IMHO one meal of junk food for a party will be fine, could have a veggy burger can't they???

UCM · 03/01/2006 03:27

Hey, if you want one, have one. I am sure that they are just the usual 'here's a pack of crayons and a colouring book' and maybe a birthday cake. But don't worry about that. If your little boy really wants a McD party, let him have it.

YES we all know its crap, but a little bit of crap food never harms anyone really?

I have never been, but have seen other children having them. They don't look particularly great but I expect children love them.

Wordsmith · 03/01/2006 06:23

Milosmum - I see you have inadvertently tapped into the judgmental, all-or-nothing tendency on MN! If your child wants a McDonalds party and you have no ethical disagreements with the company, then go ahead!

No idea on cost and haven't experienced one myself but IMO few organised kids parties are likely to centre round organic fruit and veg. And most kids love McDonalds food.

You're right - you were asking a perfectly decent question! Surely the idea of a children's party is to do something the birthday boy or girl wants and is going to enjoy. Otherwise why bother.

Kayleigh · 03/01/2006 08:03

IME it very much depends on the branch. I would ask to check out the party room next time your local branch has a party on.
Sorry if anyone has already suggested this, haven't read through the whole thread.

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