ANyone had a kids paintball party (ot their child attended one?)

[haggisaggis]

ds has set his heart on a paintball party for his 10th birthday. On a shopping trip we succombed to a "deal" from a paintballing oufit and paid £ 50 for a paintball party for up to 8 people.

Catch is of course

1. They don't provide food
2. paintballs are extra

How many do we need says I - oh about 200-300 each says salesman. (at £10 for first 100, £7 per 100 after that)

He then states that "most people ask the party guests to bring pocket money to buy additional paintballs".

Now - after significant Googling I see taht each child will need about 500 paintballs for a full days paintballing (taht's how these places work by the way - it is a full day, not a 2 hour stint). I would need to pay for food on top.

How would you feel if your child received an invitation to such a party and was advsied taht so many paintballs were included but after that they would nee dto pay for extra from their won pocket money? I can't say I'm comfortable with the idea - but honestly do not see we can afford the approx £ 45 per head cost of the party if we provide all the ammo.

Note taht I have already told ds that I'm sorry but party may not happen.

Ummmm .... I wouldn't be too happy with that tbh. I'd be paying in practice, not ds with pocket money. It's the party context that does it. You expect not to have to pay for a party, but if a friend rang me and said "oh, I've got a good deal on a paintballing session, would you be interested but you'd have to pay" I'd be quite happy about it.

Just a thought - are you sure the regulations at the venue allow 10yos? I checked out paintballing my my ds's 10th and it turned out that 12 yrs was the minimum age (which I think is a national rule/standard?) and then discounted it anyway because of cost. (£25per person for an hour or two's party)

I think 10 is a bit young for paintballing it bloody hurts . Great fun though, i only used 100 balls as i spent most of the time hiding in a bush.

We did this when the DSS was 15, but we didn't call it a party - we said "you can go paintballing for your birthday." We paid the basic fee. It was up to his friends to pay for their paintballs, as it wasn't a party. I think at ten, they would find it too sore tho, and might not enjoy - our crowd came back comparing massive bruises, and DH (big kid emoticon)had split open his knuckles diving about in the undergrowth.

10 is the minimum age in Scotland - it is 11 in England for some reason..
I worry about it hurting too - although apparently if they wear appropriate clothing under the supplied suits it is not too bad.
OK - I didn't think asking for kids to provide extra pocket money would be I good idea but wanted to check.