How Many Children to Invite?

[TunipTheVegimal24]

Hi all

Feeling a bit daunted, as organising my first children's party. I don't want the party to be empty! Then again, the venue we've booked (a play cafe), can only accommodate 50 people. He'll be turning 4, his brother is turning 2 but obviously doesn't have many "friends" to invite.

I've read a lot on here about people being really flakey, and since handing out invites at my boy's nursery, we haven't had any RSPVs either way. Admittedly this was only two days ago.

I have 20 people who have said they are coming, from my "mum friends" and family.

My question is - how many people would you expect to turn up, from classmates? Party is midday at a local place, 29th December. I think because of the time of year, people might be ill or away. Then again, they might be looking for something to do, when everything is shut...

Nursery classmates on the 29th December? Could go either way. Some people might be happy to get out and do something after Christmas; others might be away/exhausted/still involved in family things.

Your imminent issue is that you sent the invitations out very early, so most people won't reply straight away and then they will forget, so I'd be prepared to send out reminders nearer the time.

("only" 50 people is quite huge for a children's party by the way.)

29th Dec is a flakey time for people with obv Xmas and nye.

Why the need to invite so many? Is your DC going to play and interact with potentially 50 children at a party? Smaller the better in my opinion, too many and it's too overwhelming.

Time of year might put people off too, people probably wont want to commit until nearer the time so you might have some chasing up to do!

It would be fewer than 50 children - 50 people, but there will be our DC grandparents, parents of the children too (or do they not stay??).

We booked the play cafe for simplicity really. Plus, numbers don't matter so much as if you were paying per head.

I think if families aren't going away, this party will be a lovely break from being with family all the time! I'd bring my DC if invited. If you don't get many kids coming, you still have family so thats a blessing.

Parents of nursery friends will definitely stay.

Give it a bit longer. Many will still be figuring out their plans for the time. If you’re not heard by the start of December you can ask people when you see them or message if you have their numbers.

Are there other people you’ll invite if they decline? If so I would ask them to let you know by X date if they can make it and if not you’ll assume that they can’t join this time.

I don't think there'll be any others to invite - the risk is more that if they all turn up, there'll be too many 😬

My mum seemed to think that parents tended to "slope off to the pub for a couple of hours", but I thought that sounded odd. Perhaps just in Liverpool in the 90s!

Don't know most of the parents or even children by sight, or have their numbers. But think it's a good suggestion to remind people, as a few people have mentioned it. So will have to start paying more attention at pick up / drop off...