Party at home for child - no room for the adults

[Moominmama0]

I'm thinking of hosting a party at home for my son's 5th birthday. Possibly 6-8 children from school.

I'm a bit worried that all the parents will want to stay as we don't have that much room. Should I add a polite note on the invite explaining this or would it seem rude? Unfortunately we can't really afford to hire a hall. Given the time of year it will be I doubt we would spread into the garden as it'll likely be too cold, plus the garden is quite small.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

DD wouldn’t have liked a drop off party aged 4. How well do you know the families of the kids you’re inviting?

My DC wouldn’t have stayed alone age 4/5. Could you just invite a couple of friends?

Half the number invited and add a note to the invite that due to lack of space only one parent can stay and no siblings.

We never had parents stay years ago, they dropped the kids off and went. It was unheard of.

Just say on the invite that they should drop their child at 2 and collect at 4 . Be clear. Most parents would be very happy with that, but if there are any who have an issue (eg shy child) they can ask you direct, and you could probably make an exception for one parent. You could explain it's for space reasons, but you don;t have to .

Think you need to invite less children and ask parents that only one stays. I wouldn't really let my child stay at some one's house at this age unless I knew them well and had been before.

I have the same problem for my DC's upcoming 5th. We've decided not to go ahead but to book pizza express. £14.99 per child 6 guests minimum I believe.

I think for a 5th birthday party a parent has to stay really. From 6 there may be drop off ones but 5 is a bit too young and some of them may be 4. I think either you need to find somewhere bigger or just have 3 of his closest friends round and one parent each.

This is my worry as I know mine wouldn't either! I don't know them very well at all.

I can't do things like that as my son as severe food allergies. Sounds like a lovely idea though.

Put it on the invite
"Drop off 11:00, pick up 13:00"

I wouldn't have left my child at that age with what are frankly strangers, I'd expect to be able to stay.

Oh he's 5, yes bit little. Hire a small room
In a hall? They often have an upstairs smaller room?

Thanks for the input, I'll see if we can get a small hall!

We did this last month. I just said it was a drop off party but parents were welcome to stay if they wanted. None of them did. Had one child out of about 15 who missed her mum but she was ok, I let her mum know and she just came and sat on the sofa 30 mins before the party ended. I'd met 2 of the children and their parents before the party so not families we knew particularly. I'd say it's fine

A room in a pub might be smaller and cheaper than a full on hall.

It’s tricky this time of year. In the summer you can do stuff in the garden or a picnic in the park, I do understand your thinking. But half of them could be 4 so I think some or most parents won’t be keen to drop and run.

Same age as OP is thinking?

With other party guests potentially only being 4 it's definitely a stay situation.

Why not invite 4 of them to soft play, don't do it as a proper party booking if that costs more but just cover their entrance and children's food and a jug of juice. A large Colin the Caterpillar to blow the candles out on and small individual ones in the premade party bags so you don't have to cut anything up as you won't be able to take a knife.

You'll be surprised at how quickly at home parties add up, pass the parcel, food, party bags, not to mention cleaning and tidying before and after.

Thanks all, after sleeping on it. I think we will say we can have one parent stay but no siblings. We should just manage with that.

Yes DS turned 5 mid Dec and it was a class party so class friends were 4 or just turned 5