Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

I have no experience with having parties at kids places and no experience inviting classmates, so please help.

We're probably having DD's 4th birthday party (the "kids party") at a gymnastics place where she used to do gymnasitcs.

Party is 1.5 hours. Gym part includes an obstacle-course type thing, trampoline, etc....then pizza/cake. They said parents don't go in with the kids during the activity part, they watch from the windows in the lobby.

Also, no children under 3 years are allowed inside because of liability issues (esp. since no parents are allowed inside). Is this the norm for these types of parties? The parents and younger siblings would stay in the lobby and join us for pizza & cake.

Will people be offended that they can't go in with their kids and/or that they can't bring younger siblings?

There are a few of our friends who we just won't invite then b/c their kids will be young toddlers, and we're having another party (a combo party for both of my daughters) 2 weeks later that they'd be invited to.

Thanks

Message edited 1/24/2011 8:20:47 AM.

Re: Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

I never heard of that before, but I don't think it's a bad thing. I'm so sick and tired of chasing Tyler though parties where 4 year old are running like lunatics and knocking him down (and he wants to do everything they are doing)

I would give the few parents a heads up beforehand because they may leave the younger sibling at home (which is what I am doing with Tyler for the next few parties that we have)

Re: Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

Message edited 1/24/2011 8:24:40 AM.

Re: Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

My niece JUST had the same party yesterday for her 5th birthday. The parents with younger children didn't seem to mind!

Re: Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

Re: Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

Re: Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

Posted by Tilde

Posted by nbc188

Posted by Tilde

My niece JUST had the same party yesterday for her 5th birthday. The parents with younger children didn't seem to mind!

How funny! That's great, thanks!

PS - She said it was the greatest day of her WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE!!

Re: Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

I don't know if that's the norm but we've been to two gymnastics parties where we were allowed on the floor. We just went to a great gymnmastics party yesterday. They grouped the kids into age groups with coaches so my almost 2 yr old was able to participate also without me having to do everything with him. I would just let the parents know so they have the option of bringing the younger ones or leaving them with someone. I don't think it would be a big deal but I'd like to know beforehand because there is no way my 2 yr old would be cool with not being allowed to play with the kids and have to be with the adults.

Re: Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

It all depends on the place and age of the kids. We've been to both. On the one where kids under 3 aren't allowed i usually put that in the invite so if there are younger siblings they don't get offended.

And if there is a child over 3 that doesn't want to go in with out their mom, usually they let them do it. They just don't want a bunch of people in there all over the equipments.

We're doing DD's 2nd bday party at the gymnastics place, but i asked them about it and they are setting it up as a play thing for kids her age and they just asked that we try to limit it to 1 parent per child, but they said they won't be a stickler about it, unless there's 5 kids and 20 adults, KWIM.

Re: Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

I never bring Madelyn to parties unless she is specifically invited so it wouldn't be an issue for me. I can tell you though that there are a lot of parents who will bring younger siblings anyway even if they know they are not invited. I don't see an issue in having the parents be on one side of a window. But a warning you might have some parents who leave the party and come back at pick up time. If they can't be in the room with their child they might take that as an opportunity to leave and go do something. As long as that isn't an issue for you. I wouldn't worry about it.

Re: Parties at a "place" re: younger kids

I would never assume a younger sibling is invited to an older sibling's party.

I would not be offended at all.

My second son isn't born yet but I do know that if he is anything like his older brother, there is no way he'd be happy just watching and not being able to participate in the activities. I'd rather not bring him at all.