The parents could come 1.5 hours late and pick up their kids after school or come to the park with us. We would have snacks and cake. My daughter wants to play games like Hide and Seek and spoon/egg races. Does this sound like a good idea for kids aged 11-13 if the weather was at least 55?
I like the idea. Invite more rather than less as you can judge from here. Some parents will not like it.
I don't know why people wouldn't like it. And as for someone talking about signing the kids out of school, I don't even have to do that for my 3rd grader here. All those kids just come spilling out of school and I pick him up (and any friends coming over). As for my 6th grader, I don't even see her - she walks home from school when the day is over, sometimes by herself and sometimes with a friend. I see her when I walk in the door with my son.
As for the games, if your daughter wants to play them then why not, even the hide and seek (as long as you have good rules with it - boundaries for hiding, etc). The games do seem "young", but maybe that's why she wants it - feeling "retro" in her mind.
Good luck!
The park sounds fine to me. My boys have gone to birthday parties straight from school. I just have to write a note to the teacher that day that my son will be leaving with the friends parent. I assume you will all just walk to the park from the school? Are there washrooms at the park? If not make sure everyone goes before you leave the school! The games sound OK. My 11 year old enjoys these games at church youth group and summer camp. If the kids do find them to be too young then try "Capture the Flag". As you said, if there are parents who suffer from separation anxiety, they are welcome to join you at the park.
Sounds fine to me.
My daughter (sixth grade) had a old fashioned sleep over party with relay races, musical chairs, bobbing for apples and an egg relay. The kids had so much fun, I heard "best party ever" all night. Last night at our annual wreath making party the same age kids had a blast playing hide and seek while the adults made wreaths.
Let them be young in those fun ways as long as possible. If hide and seek isn't feasible at the park how about sack races and three legged races?
Some of these answers are ridiculous. Geez, you won't let your tween walk chaperoned with a group of kids to the park? 10-11 years is too old for organized games? I'm glad I'm living in a different world.
No. I wouldn't let my daughter go to a park right after school and have no interaction with her for an hr and a half. I know I like to see my kid and know where they are at all times. You can not safely transport more then 4 kids at once depending on your car. If it's on a busy St like most schools are I wouldn't want her walking either with only her group of friends and one or no adult.
Not really. Too cold and games sound too young, sorry. Only do if you know the group well and think they would like it. What about rain?
Are you talking about on a Friday? I would consider it on a Friday but my kids could not do any other week day, between homework, dinner, and chores there is really no time left in the day as it is once they get home.
Is this the Jr High school daughter?
I actually would not plan a party like you describe for a few reasons.
1) If you are planning to take the kids yourself, you will have to sign all of those kids out of school, so every parent will have to sign something for the school that authorizes them to release their child to you. This day and age, you can't even get a parent to respond to an RSVP...
2) Transportation. Are you going to walk all the kids?
3) What if the parents don't show up when expected? (Exactly how much contact will you have with them in advance...?) Will you have contact info for them?
4) Hiding games? No. That's dangerous and asking for a problem or trouble.
5) The games do seem a little "under" aged.
I can't imagine kids playing hide and seek and I wouldn't let them be out of sight in a public place at all. Not going to happen.
I suggest you do something else or have it in a location where no one else has any access at all.
It's too bad that our world is such a scary place but it is, there are pedophiles in almost every park where there are lots of people and they can blend in. Not stand out for not having kids. They can sit around and watch the largest group of kids and everyone thinks their kid is in that group so they look okay.
Park sounds fine. These games seem like they are for younger kids. I would rethink those.
I guess you could try.
Not sure how many kids would come as it is right after school on a weekday & the kids have homework, activities etc.
The other thing is the games are too young.
They are not into those types of games at all at that age.
They are more into painting nails, some 13 yr olds are into makeup etc.
I think if you are going to try to do it after school, I would opt for a pizza
place instead. It's indoors, food provided, you won't have to play games.
Personally, I wouldn't have it after school.
Doing all that will take longer than 1.5 hours as well.
And after school is too busy, for most parents/kids
How many kids?
How are they going to be transported there?
Who is supervising them besides yourself?
What about kids that go to after care at the school?
How will you take the kids there, plus... carrying/transporting the food stuff? And the game things?
Again, after school is busy for most parents/ kids.
And/or they have after school activities/lessons to attend.
We did a big outdoor party in our back yard. we played a bunch of relay games...the park is probably okay, but I might skip the hide n seek. You may lose somebody. It might be a little cold....that's usually a summer thing.
