How far would you drive your kids to a birthday party?

Question

We recently moved to another town (only 15-20) minutes away. But our daughter still goes to the same school as before. We are trying to plan her birthday party on limited funds. I was thinking an at home pool party would be neat (and less expensive than skating rink or something like that in old residence), but we're afraid nobody would show up because they wouldn't want to take the drive. How far would your be willing to drive to take your kids to a birthday party? How long should the party be to make it worth it? If too far away, what are some other suggestions for kids parties (she is turning 11)?

Answer 1

If i have to pay to much gas, it's to far.

Answer 2

That is not to far. At least 3 hours.

Answer 3

well, my brother goes to a private school, so kids come from all over. for his birthday we had it at our house and all of his friends came. Some live 45 mins away!

Answer 4

Personally, I don't think distance is a problem, so I wouldn't over stress.  

I don't think there is anything better than a party right in your own home, but what does your daughter think?  I would just say to your daughter, if its a problem for some of the parents to get their children to the party (the parents may have other committments and it just might be too hard to do the commute) why not ask 1 - 2 - 3 of the kids if they would like to sleep over.  That extends the fun for the kids and takes stress off the parents.    

Games.

* 11 year old girls - come as their favourite pop group, dress up theme party.



*  If your daughter's name starts with the letter 'C' ask guests to come dressed as something that starts with that letter (can be a color also)

* Okay Mum, make some little patty cakes, get some decorations ready and some soft icing in a couple of different colours and get the kids to decorate them.  You can set this up outside on a table to save yourself from having too much mess inside.  And girls love doing this.

*Karioke is heaps fun.

* Have a treasure hunt, hide little wrapped lollies or lollypops outside.



* A DIY quick and easy pinyatta.  Poke small  lollies and balloons into one larger balloon.  Blow it up and tie it off.  Then hide it from your daughter.  The idea is to blindfold the party girl and tell them you are going to play pin the tail on the donkey or some other made up story.  Ask their best friend if they can hold the balloon while your daughter is armed with a pin (they really love doing that)  turn her around - you get the drift, and lead her on A LITTLE, until she pops the balloon.  It always gets alot of giggles.

Hope you all have a blast.

Answer 5

I don't think 15-20 minutes is far at all.  A pool party sounds fun, make sure you have fun floats and toys available for your daughter's guests.

Answer 6

i would travel that far but some may not.  if the weather is warm in yr area have the party in the park near your old neighborhood or near the school to make in convenient for others.

Answer 7

I think that if you invited the parents to stay for some food they would be okay with it. Some might not want to travel that distance to drop off the kids, then go home and then come back out to pick them up and bring them home. But if you invite them to stay, it might be a different story.

Answer 8

30 min drive, I think the party should be 2 hours or longer.  

15-20 minutes is nothing!  If some people aren't familiar with your town, you might include in the invitation that it's so many minutes away from the town where the school is.

Answer 9

that is not far at all......who wouldn't want to go to a pool party

Answer 10

15 or 20 minuites isnt that far...i would have to have my mom drive that far just to go shopping at like american eagle or aeropostale.Seriously,if they dont wanna drive that far theyre bannanas :D

oh and pool parties are fun :D

and theyre even more fun when u have a really nice pool :D

Answer 11

15-20 minutes doesn't seem too long to me.  You can always call some of the parents and get their take on it.  Consider having some sort of activities for adults so that they're entertained, too and let them know.

Answer 12

I don't think 15-20 minutes is too far away, maybe you could ask a few mothers of the kids you would invite and get their take on the issue?

Answer 13

If you are only 15 to 20 mintues away from old place, I see no problem with having the party at your new home.