Hellobee Boards

I went to a birthday party this weekend that was at a bowling alley attached to an arcade. When we arrived, I told my girls “we are NOT going to the arcade after the party is done - don’t even ask me”. Well, after bowling, but still during party time, everyone went to play the arcade. I couldn’t let my girls be the only two not to play so I forked over some money. I was super annoyed I had to shell out $20 that was gone in less than 5 minutes. I admittedly have a bung about arcades though, they bring out the worst in my kids

So long story short - I would provide a card of some sort. 5$ will be gone pretty fast if my two very unskilled wannabe gamers are any indication.

Sorry, I would also assume there is some play time involved. We went to an arcade party once and it was unlimited play for like 45 minutes, then pizza and cake. I would be upset if I had to pay for my kid to pay arcade games at a party.

I agree I expect things to be covered at a party. I wanted to vote 2 and 3 because I do think big parties sometimes steal your soul. Maybe you could call and ask a manager if they offer any bulk discount or anything for play time? Or even - offer an activity if there’s a package appropriate to 5 year olds, even if your LO doesn’t want to do it, to keep the kids busy. As an adult I would expect some paid activity related to the venue. You could also try to think of something to play at the table if you think you need to fill time beyond whatever arcade $ you offer.

Agree you need to provide game cards. Something else to think about - depending on how many kids are attending and/or how big the space is - you'll need to figure out how to wrangle everyone back to the table for food and cake after an hour. We've been to a bunch of arcade parties and that always seems to be the most challenging part!

@helloperidot: I think that will work great!
I also think you happened to pick a harde location that many others. Most parties I’ve gone to or hosted are more of a price per kid and they provide all the entertainment and tables, you just bring food. So one day you can host another party- justcwait yntil you forget this stress

@Foodnerd81: I agree. this sounds like a tough set up. We did my daughter's 4th birthday at a gymnastics studio, and they entertained the kids the whole time. It was zero stress for me!

From a timing perspective, we went to a birthday party at a similar place. The first hour was pizza and cake in a big room with all of the other parties that they had that day. Then they had one of those creepy animatronic shows like Chuck E Cheese or Show Biz Pizza used to do or still does. Then each kid got a card that had $7 on it for the arcade games and it allowed you to do 2 activities. I think there was a small race car track and this other small ride you could go on. That card lasted us like 15 minutes. So I would switch up your timing to do your pizza and cake first and then let the people do the other activities so they can leave when they want.

Agreed that you need to change your timing a bit... I would do one or two activities (I would pick a pinata... but that's me, I love pinatas) and then have pizza and cupcakes. Pizza and cupcakes is usually so rushed... and then they can go play a few games. I say to have one or two activities because one of our friends had it at LegoLand Discovery and she told she should have organized something before eating so that the kiddos hangout together....

@helloperidot: My thought is that if I didn't want to pay for other kids to play games, I wouldn't host it at an arcade and would do a simple house party. I mean, if the kids don't play games (or the parents don't want to pay for it,) how is it really different than having it elsewhere?

@helloperidot: When I saw the road this post was taking, I clicked your profile, and saw that you're on the West Coast. I think there is still a large population on this site that is in the NYC/tristate area, and birthday party customs are such a regional thing - they can differ vastly from place to place. It sounds like for your area and your social circle, the arcade is just used as a get-together venue when you don't want a million kids in your house (totally understandable!) If it's the norm to just do food and maybe a small craft or activity in the table area, then I think that doing just that makes sense, and if you're worried about what people's reaction will be, then you can just include a small voucher in the goodie bag. I'd just be sure you let people know - then those who don't want their kids nagging them about games that they'd have to pay for can decide whether or not they want to fight that fight with their LO. It might not even be a fight if the kids are used to doing parties at this place and not having a particular activity!

And I voted that birthday parties are soul-sucking. I actually LOVE party planning, but around here (NYC area) it feels like a giant competition, and that part sucks. It's totally not uncommon for someone to spend close to a thousand dollars or more on inviting the whole class to what has come to seem like a relatively modest party at a venue (My Gym/kids' museum/Bounce place when they're little; trampoline parks or big arcades/bowling alleys/spas/gymnastics or aerial places when they get bigger). This would have been considered super extravagant when I grew up, but not here/now! I had a sleep-under/late-over/whatever you want to call it for my seven year old last year, and by the time I arranged all the activities I wanted them to do to make the home party seem adequate (decorating hair bows, making bath bombs, painting nails, ordering pizza, getting a movie, making their own sundaes) - it wasn't actually cheap and I used a TON of energy. It was awesome, but I was exhausted and worried about how it would go over! Birthdays are tough, I think we might crack down on big in #s yearly parties now that all three girls are getting old enough to say who their "real" friends are and what they'd really like to do.

I wanted to add that hosting birthdays suck! After my kids' first birthdays, we have done super low-key stuff. We had a bowling alley birthday party and came back to our house for pizza and cupcakes. I'm all for easy peasy.