Just booked community centre for ds's 5th birthday party, tell me that I'm not a loon...

[queenoftheslatterns]

for not going to a softplay centre where everything is done for me.

it will be fab!
what are you planning?

You are not a loon. They can't have softplay every year can they?

Have you got something planned to entertain them? Eg a magician, a clown, party games?

If it's a big hall they will spend most of it running up and down and screaming. They love that.

Coincidently I have booked our local village hall for my dd2's 5th birthday party today too! We are having a joint party with her bf who is 2 days younger, they are inviting the whole class and both families.
We must be mad! But hopefully it will be cheaper than a play centre.

we are having a pirate theme (no points for originality Im afraid) having a kids dj, playing hot parrot, musical islands pin the patch on the pirate and whatever other games i can steal locate. i work for iceland so get discount on sausage rolls etc and will make my own cake. there'll be 30 kids invited!

It sounds perfect. Go to softplay next year.

Sounds a really fab party - go for it!

thanks, i suppose ive plenty of time to organise. its not till the 24th april!

I just did DD1 and 2's combined party in our local church hall (with a magician). They absolutely loved it! They got to choose the party food, came shopping for it with me, helped me bake and ice 48 fairy cakes, helped my talented MIL make their birthday cakes etc. I think they got more out of it than a softplay where everything is done for you - they appreciated the work that went into organising a party, and had the satisfaction of knowing they did it (they're 6 and 4, BTW)

softplay parties are so impersonal and flippin' expensive

thats what i was thinking. weve had a few soft play parties and theyt are great for younger kids, but at this age he will love getting involved. it'll be a bit pricier, but loads better!