Home Bday Party for 8 yr. old Boy

We did a home party last year and I SWORE I would not do it again. My house if very small and we had almost the entire class. We were very lucky to have a nice day that all the kids could go outside and we did activities out there.
I can't see shelling out $300 or more for a bday party and was thinking to do it at home again BUT only have a total of about 10 kids.
I was thinking of maybe showing them a movie, giving them snacks and cake.
Do you think that would be enough or do I have to start planning more activities?
Thanks

Re: Home Bday Party for 8 yr. old Boy

We had an at home movie party a couple of years ago and it was awesome! I set up the chairs like a movie theater....had a red throw away party decoration runner in the middle for the "aisle". I had a concession stand on the island in my kitchen with popcorn served in popcorn cups, $1 boxes of theater candy from Dollar Tree and various sodas. I also made hot dogs and ordered pizza. We played movie trivia after the movie was over and before we did cake. It was about a 3 hour party, and the kids had a blast!

Party City sells a Marquee looking banner that you can personalize, as well as some theater decorations and clapboard which is nice to personalize. I printed out Hollywood stars with each child's name on it and put it on their seat (we had half boys half girls)

I ordered these for the cupcakes
link

and these for the "concession stand"
link

Re: Home Bday Party for 8 yr. old Boy

Re: Home Bday Party for 8 yr. old Boy

I'd make it smaller than that. I'd say 6-7 kids sounds much more manageable IMO. But I think it sounds fine. My DS is almost 9 and the last couple yrs have been 7 - party at home, 14 kids rainy day, crazy. 8 - 3 friends to Cradle of Aviation, Imax & Friendlys. This year he wants a 3 friend things again. DD's bday was in the summer and after being done with parties out, contemplating one again, I went to 7 kids (including her) at home having a Big Time Rush party which she loved. It was girls so the theme was not worth elaborating on but it was manageable and really cute IMO, all the parents were raving. I like your idea for your son.

Re: Home Bday Party for 8 yr. old Boy

I end up spending more on my home parties but I'm still doing one for my DS. Maybe they'll get cheaper when they get older and you don't have to do theme's and all the extras.
I can't wait for simple sleepovers.

Re: Home Bday Party for 8 yr. old Boy