Party food in boxes, is this OK or cheap?

[Ripeberry]

Hi, my DD1 will be 6 in June and wants to have a softplay party for up to 20 friends from school.
But, i can't really afford to rent out the party room as well for food and also because my DH will be away and i'll be doing everything by myself!
I was thinking of just having party boxes for the kids, ready filled with packets of goodies and small toys, have the cake ready and blow out the candles, put a slice in each box and at the end of the 45 min session, they can take the box away with them.
Would that seem really cheap and tacky? It's just that i CAN'T STAND party games and would rather they play and take the food away to mess up their own house, as if you hire a party room, YOU have to clear up the mess....Can't you tell that i HATE childrens parties

Sounds fine but depends what time the party is, eg late afternoon is OK as they will be between lunch and evening meal.

The children don't come for the food. They come to the party to play with their friends.

So the children would only be there for 45 minutes then?

The only thing I can think of that's not OK is that parents often make a bit of an effort when they take their kids to parties. I mean, they get them ready, make sure they've got nice clothes to wear and look nice, get them to the venue whilst making arrangments for siblings to be looked after else where, go down the shop, pay for parking, go to the cashpoint, buy a nice gift, wrap it, write a card - do you get my drift.

I guess what I'm trying to say is 45 minutes isn't really long when you think about it the parents probably spent more time than that organising their child to come to the party.

Do a proper party spread - it's only once a year. Disposable everything and just sweep the floor after. Persuade a few mums to stay and help.

Instead of having 20 kids have 10, give them food there in the boxes. It takes 10 mins max to clear a party room in a soft play centre.

no - i think they need to eat the food and have a drink soon after the play else they will be thirsty and hungry. How much is the room hire for 45 mins an hour and half total party is fine? rope in a friend or mum to help you