Not Sure What to Do About Soon to Be 6Yr Olds Bday Party

I think that is an unfair rule that the teachers make. After all, kids only ask certain kids for playdates - do they make that a rule too that you have to invite everyone over for a playdate? I have my son hand out invites in the playground, or usually I know the parents of the kids that are good friends of my children. Usually 9 times out of 10, the kids parents that I do know don't even RSVP, and it always leaves me in a tough position not knowing how much food to get or gift bags to prepare, so I only invite now the families that we know.

Make it a water fight party :) get squirt guns, water balloons, buckets etc at the dollar store and make relays etc. where they have to get wet. The kids will love it. Transporting the water might be tricky.. your backyard might make it easier... good luck.

my daughter handed her invites out after school when she was walking home.
I think you could do some fun water party. There are so many fun games you can play. One time we borrowed huge plastic drop cloths and put them on a hill and the park. We found a neighbor that lived near and didn't mind us using his hose and we did a huge slip and slide. The kids loved it. We also did water relays, balloon fights and tag with super soakers. It was one of the funnest parties. As long as you have a ramada for the parents they'll be fine. google "water games for kids" and you'll come up with a ton of ideas. good luck

Yes, you should have it at a park with a splash pad and try to get a spot/ramada nearby, so that the kids can run in and out between the carnival party and splash pad to stay cool. Remind them to bring a towel and their sunscreen! My son's bday is in July and I have yet to throw a party at the pool or splash pad where I didn't have at least 2/3 of the guest list show. After all, this is AZ and if there is water, they will come!

Don't hand out invitations, call them/ their parents or send them in the mail. No need to entertain the whole class - and it is TOO HOT to have it outside, unless all the activities are water activities. Good grief! The school can't dictate who goes to your son's birthday parties! My rule of thumb for birthday parties is this: when they are one - invite one, two - invite two, etc. UNTIL they are nine - invite eight, ten - invite seven, until they are 16 - invite one (date). Good luck!

I had a petting zoo for my son's 6th bday party. It's only $150 and you can have as many kids as you want and the price doesn't change. Look up Carter's Farm in Queen Creek, they have a website. We had the party at a park and just served cake. I had a small activity for the kids to do if they got tired of the animals. If you're worried about the temperature, you could have the party early. Feel free to reply if you want more info. Have fun.

Hi S., am having a graduation party in a park on May 23,for my daughter. We are thinking of doing hamburger's and hot dogs or pizza. Little Cesar's has large pizzas for $5.00 each. If you are going to have party in park and want a pavilion you need to reserve now. They run $25 and up depending where. I am having a water balloon toss contest. And a 3 legged race. My teen does not know about games. It was her idea to have it in a park.
Have lots of water and ignore heat!
Good luck,
D.

HI S., My son is 6 also. What do you think the chance of his entire class showing up at this party? I think if you even get one or two I would be surprised! Do you know his "friends" parents? Do you see them when you drop off or pick up? If you do, maybe you can just mention to them his bday is coming up and can you call them with details? That way the whole class won't have to know about it. This has never been an issue with me I guess because I never even offered it to my kids to invite kids from school. If they even brought it up, I would say, you have a bday party at school with your school friends (take in cup cakes or whatever) and we have your family/friend party at chuck e cheese with everyone else. I'm sure he would understand that. Regardless, I hope you find somethig that works out for you!

I know children who have invited the whole class and pretty much the whole class showed up. You have lots of good advice. I was going to say the same, call the parents or send the invites in the mail. You can ask the parents not to mention it to the kids until thee day of the party that way kids aren't talking about it in school.

Whatever you do, have fun! By the way, my son is 13 and still loved having water baloon fights just last year. They also love raw egg toss ( I know it sounds gross and wasteful, but it was a big hit!) Of course the pinata always is too!
K.

Did you get a class list at the beginning of the year? Perhaps you could call and get addresses. Or ask your son to pick his favorites and get their numbers.

I also wanted to say that we just did a party at enchanted island at encanto park. It was very affordable and the kids Loved it!

Good luck.

I agree with Faith ....
don't take the "invite the whole class" too literally. The school can not enforce that policy. I bet there have parties throughout the year you did not know about. You can invite only 2-10 friends if that is what you want to do. Use the class roster to invite them outside of the classroom or at the drop-of or pick-up, but let your son know that he is only have a few friends over so he doesn't talk up a big party while at school.