4th birthday party?

[alison]

I'm thinking about just keeping dd's 4th birthday among family. We've been to her friends' birthdays and they're pretty extravagant for this age. Last year, we had a small party with 2 other kids, and I said no gifts. Her friends have all had "gifts not necessary" or haven't indicated what to do about gifts (in other words: bring gifts). At this age, the kids don't even really associate their birthdays with parties and presents, do they?

At what age did you start having the Chuck e Cheese, Gymboree type bday parties?

[scrub-jay]

We had a 3rd bday at the butterfly pavilion (invertebrate museum) but we were moving a month later so it was also a goodbye party. If M isn't asking for the friend party, I say you're good skipping it.

[Pollyanna]

Yes, I would skip it. We really didn't do friend parties until kindergarten.

[samssugarmomma]

We started at age 2 - but DD1 asked to invite her friends over. It was just the neighbors and it was pretty low key. I do a lot of homemade decorations because I enjoy doing it , not to keep up with anyone else.

If she isn't asking I'd keep it small or family only. Once you start for your oldest, your younger one will want one too.

[SuzySunshine]

We started with 5 but even this year there are kids in her class that didn't. I wouldn't feel obligated.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

We'll do a friends party for DD when she turns two - but it basically is just other families from our dept I doubt we'll ever do Chuck E Cheese type parties - I'll probably do them all at home. I may do a "one friend for every year" rule.

[diggitydot]

We only do friend birthday parties beginning around late-elementary or early-middle school. And I have never even considered a CEC type of party because I'd rather give birth to a full grown rhinoceros than step foot in one of those places.

[alison]

The party with two friends when dd turned 3 was nice. The kids totally trashed our house toddler-style though. I thought dh was going to cry!

[SoonerTexan]

The other day we were eating out with a not cooperating toddler and I said to DH, "we need to invent a restaurant with a giant cage in the middle for toddlers to play in."

Then I realized it already exists, it's Chuck-e-Cheese, and it isn't an improvement to the dining experience

[diggitydot]

CEC's only redeeming quality is that they serve beer.

[alison]

It is a horrible place, no doubt about it. BUT when I turned 5, I had my birthday party there and I remember it! It was oh so awesome!

[Pollyanna]

If you avoid the tunnels, CEC is super fun!!

[MrsK]

We've always done the friend parties but more so because it's about the only opportunity we have to entertain our friends. At this age, our kids' friends are mostly children of our friends. We've always had "backyard style" parties. To avoid the toddlers-trashing-the-house scenario, we use an empty classroom at our temple.

I'd avoid CEC as long as possible. The place is a migraine-inducing nightmare. Once she knows it exists, she'll want to go all the time. Or maybe not since she is quiet. She might not like the noise and some kids (even 3 or 4yo) are afraid of the Chuck-E-Cheese character. K1 was invited to a CEC party for a 4yo a while ago. It seemed that neither K1 nor the birthday boy really understood what was going on. Also, since they have several parties going on at once and there are different party packages, it was sort of awkward when they brought out ice cream sundaes, souvenir cups, balloons, and a pinata for the party at the next table while our table clearly got the more basic party package. Really hard to explain to 3 and 4yo's why the kids at the other table get ice cream and they don't.

[Sheherezade]

We did parties with their preschool friends and parents because we were all a group of friends at the time. All were DIY parties, not pay-per-guest places. We stopped birthday parties after my kids hit 10. After 10, we might do a day out with friends at the zoo, or something like that. And then a cake with family.

We enjoyed the CEC years - I'd say there was only a brief two year span when we lived near one and the kids were at that stage of life. (6-9 years) DH and I could hang out and chat while big brother looked after his sister a few yards away spending all those tokens that came with the pizza/soda. We'd go in off hours (post call mid week during fellowship) so the place was pretty empty. Pretty low energy "family time" for a tired dad.

We'd never do a birthday there though - my kids don't go in for crowds. I tend to think the pay per head parties are WAY overpriced.

[Vishenka69]

We don't have a Chuck e Cheese but most birthday parties are at Little Gym type of places. We've been to a bunch and DD loves going. She keeps asking when her next birthday will be, so she can have a party. We're not friends with any of the parents from her pre-school, so a kid oriented party at one of those places is our only option. I love that it involves no work on my part, other than showing up. Then again, they're not very expensive in our area.