I have decided to only invite my son's two closes friends for his 3rd birthday. I've decided to do a Chuck E Cheese birthday party and have a few questions to get your opinion on...
1. Do you think giving each of the kids 15 tokens will be enough? Two 3 year olds and one 4 year old. I haven't been to Chuck E Cheese since I was a little kid so I don't remember how many tokens it takes to actually have a good time at that age.
2. The birthday invitation is being directed at the two boys being invited but I thought I would extend the invitation to the rest of the family so they can join us if they want... Do you think it is okay if we only give tokens to the boys being invited and if the rest of the siblings come then their parents can provide them with tokens?
3. Should we only buy enough pizza for our family and the boys being invited or should we plan to buy enough pizza for the rest of the boys' families too? (One family of 4 and one family of 6... our family is a family of 4).
4. Is it okay to offer in the invitation that we are willing to watch their child if they want to just drop them off for the party... I have absolutely no problem watching an extra two little boys.... Or do you think I should just leave that out of the invitation?
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your replies so far. They have really been helpful. I have pretty much decided how to do this but keep the ideas coming. Thanks again!
Oh, and I guess I should throw this out there for those of you that are just now responding... I wasn't going to do a party this year but since my son now knows what a birthday is and really wants one I felt at least a small party was needed. We don't have the money for an expensive party this year so that is why we are only inviting two of his friends and trying to keep the costs down even with that. And, we do a lot of home parties each year (birthdays, baby showers, holiday parties) but the reason I don't want to do a home party this year for our son is because I'll be 2 1/2 months from delivering baby #3 when this party happens and I just don't have the energy for a lot of preparations, being hostess, and cleaning up afterward. So saying that, I would love to still hear your opinion on this whole Chuck E Cheese's affair. Thanks! :-)
With kids that age I would expect the parents to stay, and so they should be provided with food and cake, but only the invited boys need tolkens from you, although I do think 15 may be a little on the low side.
Not only have I had several parties there but I have attended a few as well. 15 Tokens probably isnt enough, but like the poster said. You can get pizza deals that include drinks and token and there are coupons all over the internet. Plus if you tell them its a birthday party they will usually give the birthday person some free tokens.
I would only provide tokens for the invited kids but you should have enough pizza for everyone. I wouldnt worry about drinks for everyone, but definatly pizza.
1. 15 tokens should be plenty... but I'm not sure. I've never been to a Chuck E Cheese, but Leo's Place takes 1-2 tokens per game, so that would give them 7-8 games or so... I think they would probably have more fun in the jungle gym anyway.
2. I would just make sure to put in the invite '_____ will be supplied with tokens to play. Siblings are welcome at their own expense.' (or something similar)
3. I would plan on supplying pizza for everyone, but make sure you find out ahead of time who plans on staying...
4. Maybe you could do an RSVP for this (if it's only the two boys, it shouldn't be hard to get in touch with the parents if they don't call you). Then you could find out if the siblings are coming... if not, then you could just offer to watch the kid you invited over the phone (or in person, if you do it that way.) If they say they will let the siblings stay, make sure they know you won't be able to 'safely supervise' that many children on your own. :)
Have fun! :)
Hi... if you google coupons for Chuck E. Cheese, you will find some. Here are some: http://www.chuckecheese.com/yum-and-fun/
So... for $15 you buy 60 and get 30 free. That would be 30 for each child. It may sound like a lot but really.... those tokens go fast especially when little ones aren't sure how to play some of the games so the games end quickly. Now that my kids are 9 yrs. old, a token will last longer because they know how to play. (Yes, I think 15 tokens is kind of low.)
The climbing area that they have above in the C.C. restaurants I've been in can keep the younger kids busy for a long time, too.
Up until my kids were 6 yrs. old, I always stayed even when the party size was small. (I didn't feel comfortable for safety reasons until then.) Almost everytime, I was invited to have the food. The only thing I don't think was fair was when a mom would give tokens to some of the siblings but not to all the siblings that stayed. (either give tokens to all the siblings or none at all. I really think it's fine/appropriate to only give tokens to the boys who are actually the guest.)
Happy birthday to your son and have fun!
I think 15 tokens is plenty. Most of the games only require one token, and at 3 they wont be able to play all of the games anyway. I just took my 2 1/2 yr old to a Chuck E Cheese party a few weeks ago, and she mainly wanted to play on the play structure, which did not require any tokens. I would get enough pizza for whatever the head count is. The head count includes the parents, not just the kids. I would only get tokens for the kids invited, the others can buy their own tokens. I wouldn't say anything on there about watching the other kids. I don't know anyone who would just drop a 3 yr old off at a birthday party.
I think it's great to do the party with just his 2 closest friends. I don't know if 15 tokens is enough, but probably, they can always play in the tubes. Be prepared to get more if necessary. Keep the invitation simple, and then call each family and explain the plans in more detail. "Just thought I'd touch base about Johnny's party. If it's helpful, I can pick up Joey and just bring him home after the party since it's just Johnny, Joey, and Max. Of course, if you guys want to tag along, that's fine too, it would be fun." My first thought is you should have enough for everyone, but then, you said money was tight, so if you made the phone call and knew their whole family was going to come, you could be at chuck E cheese first and say "I've got pizza coming for Johnny, Joey and Max as well as tokens and drinks." And then they'll know they need to get their own stuff.
This is my opinion.
1. Sounds like enough, although I haven't been there for a long time.
2. As a parent of a 4 year old, it would depend on how well I knew if you if I was willing to drop off my child at Chuck E Cheese with you. Last year I had a bowling party for my turning 5 year old, and expected parents to drop off, and none of them did. They all opted to stay. Four is pretty young, three is pushing it. I would stay if it were my child.
3. If you extend the invite to everyone, then everyone should be included in tokens and pizza.
I think this really comes down to how close you are with the families. There are a few families we are friends with that I would fell totally comfortable dropping off my 4 year old with, but when they are only 3, that is really pretty young. What do you do about a potty accident? What about if someone decides they no longer want to be there? How do you deal with a tantrum when someone is finished with their tokens?
Are you committed to a "public place" party? At 3, I think a little party at home can be pretty fun. Little kids have a hard time (IMO) dealing with so much stimulation and noise. If you planned for a small party at home, parents would probably be more likely to drop off their children, if that is what you are really planning for. Play pin the tail on the donkey. Play a game where they search for something (I recently went to a party where they searched for duplo legos - it was fantastic), have simple kid friendly food (lots of healthier options than fast food pizza).
Just some thoughts.
Jessica
You didn't say how long the party will last. That will determine the number of tokens you need. As a parent of two children one whom is 3, I would never leave him at a public place like CCE even if someone offered to watch him. For your own protection, I advise you to make sure each 3 year old has a parent present. If you extend the invitation to the boys and their siblings, then you need to provide tokens for them all, but if the invitation is only to one child then you don't. People should have manners and only bring the child invited, if that's the only name on the invitation, but these days you never know. I would plan on providing food for everyone.
I'd get the party package that would fulfill the pizza needs of however many people you decide to invite. Dole out the tokens that come with the package and if anyone wants to give their kids more tokens that's up to them. I'd definitely want the parents to attend as well, you will already have your hands full and Chuck E Cheese is a noisy, chaotic venue... you would go nuts without some other moms watching kids.
1. yes the 15 tokens 'should' be enough...but be prepared-sometimes they do burn through those things.
2. As for the extended families...if you invite them they become your guests. And you will need to buy them pizza and you should-but do not have to-give them some tokens. If you don't have the budget to pay for the kid's whole family's pizza I would not ask them. Also-I personally would not want to be responsible for kids that young at Chuck E Cheeses on a weekend-that place gets nuts! I heard on the radio that the cops have to be called more for our local Chuck E Cheeses on the weekend than for bars! If it is on the weekday then fine.
When my kids were that little I would always offer food to whatever adult had to stay for the party-and siblings. I just wouldn't feel right not offering b/c they are sitting right there. Sometimes they accept and sometimes they do not.
Only provide what is in the party package for the kids invited. If you feel you want to provide a little something for the parents I suggest getting a sampler platter to set on the table for them to snack on but if they want something more let them purchase their own. I don't know what CEC you go to but here ours offers 20 tokens per kid and all games and rides are only 1 token.
Well if you're only inviting his two friends so you can cut down on costs and still have fun then I would encourage wording the invite to have it only be those boys. You could just put drop off at X and pick up at X. I will feed Johnny pizza and cake before he leaves...or some such thing. If you can afford the other siblings and you just picked two people to make it easy and fun then I'd buy enough tokens and pizza for everyone. If one of the mothers asks if she can bring the sibling I think you're going to have to be pretty direct and say that you were just thinking it would be the 3 boys. Have fun!
1. I don't remember if that would be enough.
2. a) Most people show up as a family anyway w/o it being mentioned in the invitation, at least with my experience. BUT making the offer may imply you will pay for everything.
b) Yes, only give tokens to those invited.
3. Yes, only buy enough pizza for those invited. The families that I have known always buy their own pizza & drinks.
4. If you invite to watch their child word it in a way that their siblings are not included.
Have fun!
I think that if you specifically invite siblings, then you are indicating that you will feed and give them tokens. Parents will feel comfortable bringing siblings w/o an invite since it is a public place.
I'm sure you got a lot of good answers. But, I wanted to add to #3. My son and I went to a birthday party at a bounce house place when I was 7 months pregnant. This was a place that did not allow outside food. The party was during lunch time. They only bought pizza for the kids! And my son only got 1 tiny slice! And here I am big, pregnant, and hungry. So, I had to buy a slice of overpriced pizza for myself. Yes, feed the other family members who come along. My hubby says birthday parties are for kids and moms and he usually doesn't come.
#4. I would not let someone babysit my son at Chuck E Cheese. I think that place needs a 1:1 ratio on the weekend.
Another thought, if you have the party on a weekday, the dad and older children probably won't come and that will save you some money on the food.
im sure that they have a party deal for a bunch of tokens and pizza and drinks, ect... you need to call them
maybe you need to decide who all you want for sure to be there, i know that most parents of 3 year olds arent just gonna drop off there kid. and its rude to only provide for 3 kids and not everyone there to celebrate.....
I would just invite the 2 boys and not say anything about the rest of the boys' families. The custom is to always provide food and entertainment for your guests, so if you invite the others, the parents are going to think you'll provide for them as well. Like a poster below, I suggest that you offer to pick the boys up and drop them off. That should avoid any confusion about who is invited and for whom you're willing to pay their expenses at Chuck E Cheese.
