Feeling anxious about organising my child's first school friends party

[Hellobell]

Hi,

im doing my 6yr old soon to be7 yr old a party next month, he’s always had house party’s with family and loved it but last yr/this yr he’s been asking for a party with his school friends, I’ve found a location but now I’m so nervous and anxious, what if none of the 24 kids turn up, what if the party isn’t fun, what if the parents don’t bring them due to the timing of the party or if they don’t like the activity (laser tag).

im even worried about posting the invitation on the group chat and waiting for the reply’s 😂

i just want him to have a great day and be the attention for 2 hours, he even said mum what if no one comes 😩

anyone else felt like this but still went ahead with it ?

I keep thinking maybe I should have waiting until he was abit older

When booking a party I always message my children’s closest friends’ parents first to make sure they can do the date/ time/ activity first just to make sure the most important kids are there and then I invite everyone else. That takes away a lot of the anxiety.

Thanks he hasn’t really got a super close friend at school yet so it would be hard to do that I think just for him to have a nice turnout of around 10kids he would be happy enough.

Honestly I know it’s super daunting but in my experience parents usually make the effort to bring their children if they’re free. It’s a couple of hours of free entertainment for them and their children get fed for the cost of a present. Just bite the bullet and send out the invite - it might take an hour or so for people to reply, particularly this early on in the school year as people get back into the swing of things but I’m sure the RSVPs will come rolling in.

Thanks your right I’ll get sending them soon, im probable making a big deal out of nothing but we will see how it goes. Thanks

I organised a party for my DC, invited 15 school friends. Only had 1 response, and 1 turn up from school! Luckily DC had other friends not from school that all came. I was shocked and upset about the lack of response from other parents! I was very anxious about it but DC had a great time!

I never get the "sent sent out 3 million invitations and no-one responded" type points. Do you not chase up?

Some points.

Its much easier to deal with an individual whatsapp message rather than a group, especially if you're not inviting the whole class. We send messages to each individual parent (which you can get the details from the group) and the response rate is much better than a generic group invitation. Harder work for you, but works out better in the end.

Also chase! If you have a venue deadline for numbers then chase up for an answer the day before the deadline.

Don't send the invite on a Friday. It will be forgotten about.

Have you booked a laser tag party package with the activity and food? If so then you’re sorted and the kids will have a great time. Just take party bags and cake.

24 children is a lot for that kind of party when presumably you’re paying per head? Not all will come but I imagine the majority will. If you’re only aiming for 10 then I’d start by just inviting his closest friends and see what RSVPs you get.

I think 24 is too many. 16 was our limit for anything and you get to know who the reliable parents are. I did next ti nothing with a price per head when you are not sure about no shows. We had an entertainer at home. Sometimes I did good old fashioned party games! Good old fashioned party food too.

We always do home party’s but we wanted to do a full class one and to invite everyone, I’ve booked for 15 kids as that was a standard and then any extra is payed for by myself but I don’t think I’ll reach that amount but if I do I’m happy I would love all 24 kids ☺️

food and venue all in one and then just cakes and party bags.

it is a lot tbh but it’s a one off party.

Thanks for this feedback some good points I’ll take into consideration

I've always worried about kids parties not working out ,,, and they always did. Have a nice low bar ,,, none of the kids end up in A&E ,, result

Have a safe place for presents, decide beforehand if opening or taking home wrapped

Things to decide if they matter to you ,,, will you make it clear no siblings ,, or siblings welcome. Will you expect parents to stay? once again, no right answer but be clear,

All the best

I always sent invites on a Sunday evening after kids in bed and generally get a good response rate.

I agree about sending individually to parents not on the group.

You need to make clear you need exact numbers. Either in the invite - or a few days before the venues deadline if the party is a while away - write ‘As this party is booked on a per-head basis for the activity and food, I need to ensure I have exact confirmed numbers.’ You don’t want to be paying £££ for now shows.

At age 7 most parents will expect to drop and go so make clear whether that’s an option or not. I wouldn’t want 24 kids solo. You could say ‘If you’re not able to stay please let me know when you RSVP so I can ensure I have sufficient adults’

Before I commit to a date and time I do a soft feeler of dates with my favorites and then a save the date once I’ve chosen one

@Hellobell It’s a lot if it’s just you and DH. Are you teachers? Do you actually know the dc? I’d be happy if 16 came. 24 is a lot so good luck.