My DD is turning 10 on Nov 22. She can't figure out what to do for her party. I am having a really hard time also because every year we have a party it ends up a disappointment to her because we invite 20 and only 5 show because of it being right before Thanksgiving. I could make it a week later but then people are saving money for Christmas and the turn out doesn't seem to be any better. And her older sister's birthday is only 9 days before hers so if I try to make it early then it cuts into my other DDs birthday weekend.

Any suggestions on how I could maybe have a better turnout on her party or any cool ideas for a party for 10 year old kids. She doesn't want a skating party (she falls a lot). The only thing she has even mentioned is "Pump it Up" and that is really expensive if only 5 show up.

I wish their birthdays were not so close to Thanksgiving and Christmas. It makes things kinda hard.

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 03:26 pm:

It's really hard having kids' birthdays in the middle of summer, too, because during the time school is out, parents aren't thinking about other kids!

I don't know how much money you want to spend, but if it's usually a show of 5 or so, have you thought about going to one of those glamour girl places where a small group of girls go and get a makeover, and "prissied" up and get to take home little things like body glitter, lotions, etc.?

I know our mall has a place called Glamour Girls that looks wonderful. They do tons with the girls. Also, some girls' clothing stores are doing this, some like Girls Unlimited, and Limited, Too. You may want to check into something like this.

Or just get a small group of her closest friends together and take them out for a "Girls Day Out" type of thing. Maybe a manicure and a movie! Or a manicure and to the mall! Girls that age can have tons of fun in a small group setting. And instead of paying a ton for a fancy manicure, just take them someplace like a local hair place and let them just paint their nails for them. If you wanted to go all out for a manicure instead, then maybe someplace near you would give you a great deal if you tell them it's for your daughter's birthday. You could even ask if they could give you a discount price, and not do the "full" manicure, just a little prepping and then the polish.

Good luck! I know how hard it is to get some parents to bring their kids to parties. We're lucky we have tons of kids in our family!

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 03:27 pm:

---Okay, just checked...it's not called Glamour Girls, though there is one by that name, too... But our mall has a place called Libby Lu. Go to www.clublibbylu.com and check it out!

By Tarable on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 03:43 pm:

She did Libby Lu with one friend last year. Since their birthdays are so close I alternate years for a big party. This year is her big year and since most of her friends are boys I have to figure something out that they will like also.

My biggest challenge is not the money it is getting people to show up, to make the amount of money that places charge for birthday parties worth it. Any suggestions on how to entice people to show up. Any suggestions of the party that your kids liked the most and would drive you crazy if you told them they couldn't go to another one like it?

By Kaye on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 03:50 pm:

To get people to show you need a free weekend. Honestly I would do it a week later. People don't show up to bday parties because of money, but rather time. So I would pick dec 2. Another option to really get people to come is to have it last long enough that people could go do a little christmas shopping When you call people to invite them, just say so. Also i would send out invites extra early, or send save the date emails, etc. With the holidays you just have to plan in advance. Also lean towards mid afternoon sat, not during ball game mornings, or adult time evenings.

As for what to do, you could do putt putt, go to the movies, a bowling party is always fun, lazer tag, etc.

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 03:50 pm:

One suggestion I would make is to have it a couple of weeks sooner. I know that her birthday is on Nov. 22, but her party doesn't have to be right at her birthday. And it is SO close to Thanksgiving, that I think that is likely the biggest problem. My children's birthdays are July 18 and July 30. We have one party for both of them, and it falls anytime in July. My kids don't mind, and it helps because there are several of their cousins birthdays in July also, so we have to work around that...

Also, do you have a pool somewhere you can rent out? I know that even our local hotel that has an indoor pool will let you rent it out during non busy times of the week. Pool parties are usually a hit. Or how about bowling? Also, if you have a place available, the kids would probably love to come to a marshmallow and hotdog roast around a campfire with maybe some hay in the back of a truck for a short hayride... I live in a rural area, so this is a possiblity for us.

Or maybe your daughter would be willing to have a Halloween party instead as an early birthday party with costumes and such. I know most kids love going to Halloween parties...

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 04:10 pm:

LOL Kaye, we were posting at the exact same time, both mentioned bowling, but you said have it later, I said have it earlier! We'll really confuse her! Actually, I agree, though, that it is more timing than money, and right there at Thanksgiving is a bad time for people to have time for a party....

By Sandysmom on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 04:15 pm:

I haven't read the above posts but maybe you could have her invite the 5 friends that do come usually and take them to Build a Bear. Afterwards, you can go to McDonald's or home for lunch, cake & ice cream.

By Tarable on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 04:50 pm:

I guess maybe I can try to set something up for Dec the 8th... I also share my kids with my ex every other weekend. So having it just one week early or one week late is not an option. I dont' want to have it the 11th of Nov because of Alexis's birthday.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

I will try to find something that is 2 or 3 hrs so the parents can go shopping.

By Stace on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 05:32 pm:

I totally understand the every other weekend bit! My son is 3 and my ex and I have shared custody. It does make scheduling difficult at times.

I was just going to suggest maybe going to the movies and maybe even going to an arcade of some sort. Kids always love playing games. Or maybe give her the option of having a slumber party with maybe 5 girls. I know my boyfriends daughter is 10 and that is what she just did for her bday. I don't know if she has any close friends that are able to stay over, but just a thought.

By Breann on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 06:12 pm:

I would have her invite one or two of her very best friends and do something extra special like a girls day out. Take them to the salon for a pedicure and a hairstyle, take them all out to lunch. Stuff like that.

By Jewlz on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 - 06:37 pm:

this is what we do /did ...when my son was younger. his bday is jan 6th just in time for returned gifts that are broken and cheap ... we had two parties for him and after that it was 6months later or just before school was out. that way they could play outside. yeah they didnt get to bring gifts but the toss up was he got to have a party and have fun at it and make the theme anything he wanted to. I offered it and he liked the idea after that and stuck with it thru high school ... we always had family bdays and he got to pick where he wanted to to spend his bday dinner and then we had a good time. then come june we would send out invitations and say something like its an end of the year party and wed like to have a barbecue to celebrate the summer fun coming up. ect..... anyways it always worked out well for us this way it was like his unbday and everyone was happy.