Mcdonalds kiddies parties for preschoolers

[RuthK]

Girls

Recently I made enquiries about having my son's 3rd birthday party at McDonalds.

I would love to have had it at home but we live in a small, carpeted, rented unit that's too small to have guests over, let alone a party. And being winter, there's a good chance the weather would not be conjusive to outdoor play. As a lot of my friends live on the other side of town I thought McDonalds would be ideal as I could choose a location central to us all, complete with playground.

But upon making enquiries to hold a birthday party at McDonalds, they advised me they only cater for 10 children, minimum!

I was infuriated. 10+ children is suitable when you're dealing with 5 year olds who can spend the 2 or so hours for the party away from their parents. But a 2-3 y.o. expects their Mum to be there too, and add in the mum's other babies, it becomes a very full room. And my son, like many 2-3y.o's has only a small circle of friends, definitely not 10.

Surely places like McDonalds should try and cater to not just the older kiddies, but all age groups? Whenever I have been there during the week with my children I've noticed their party room always empty. Even a minimum of 5 kiddies would be sufficient, to fill their room, and save many harrassed mums from cleaning up the mess after a 3 y.o party.

I'm now not having a party at all this year, and hope that next year we'll have moved into a bigger place. I hope my son will understand.

R

[2girls&1boy]

Hi Ruth,

We went to my nephew's 3rd b'day earlier this year at McDonalds. There was certainly not 10 kids there. There were more like - 5 or 6 at the most.

You could try and push the issue a bit with them I guess as I don't see what the difference would be. There will be parents etc there to make up their precious numbers anyway..

Paula

[mumofethan]

Howdy... the other option is to have a a get together at maccas without the party part... it also ends up cheaper half the time!

[Melissa1983]

Hi
I'm an ex Manager at McDonalds when i was in Townsville, and our min was 6. But it never matter if there was less children. Did you tell them look he is only 3, and there is only such amount of people comming? Surely they wont turn the party away. I know we never did, its for the birthday child just to enjoy themselves. Let me know how you go.

[RuthK]

Mel

thanks, I'll try asking around. There are a few in our area so surely one will be obliging.

Now another question for you all. Of course I'm happy to pay for the other children, but I should be paying for meals for the Mum's and Dad's as well, or is it ok to just pay for the kiddies? It might get very expensive otherwise.

R

[mumofethan]

i would be paying for kids only... adults meals are around $8 each!

[WeThree]

hi ruth, you definetly only pay for the kids meals, i dont know of any parents that would expect you to pay for their meal. something you can do though (although i dont know if maccas will let you, we did this at a playmaze type place)if you are expecting most of the parents to stay is put together a platter for the parents with dips, cheese etc. alot of those indoor play places will organise one for you if you have it there, and they usually work out more fun for the kids and better value for money food wise.

[Melissa1983]

i would only pay for the kids. Adults can pay for themselves, it would be very expensive afterwise.

[lizzymcfizzy]

In this current day I'm suprised you haven't got other mums refusing to go to maccas, saying its not healthy enough :)

I'd just tell maccas that you have 10 kids coming regardless.... if only 5 or so show up...well what can they do about it? They can't kick you out! ;)

[jlrjyeboah]

Hi, another option would be to go to one of those indoor play centres. Most of the ones I have been to, have special rooms for birthday parties. I think some of them even allow you to cater yourself, you don't have to buy their food. Also the play equipment is probably alot more hygenic and possibly safer than that at McDonalds. :)

[RuthK]

Good idea. I might give that option a go instead. I've decided anyway just to have 2 friends (of mine with their own 2 year olds). These are the only friends who don't have newborns and so wont be making excuses at the last minute.

[Lucybelle]

Our playgroup (and a couple of other around the area) let kids hold their birthday paties there. We just bring up the food, theres plenty of space and lots of toys for all ages so eveyone is catered for.

Why don't you make a few calls. The playcentres are a good idea, but last time we had one there it was SO noisy (of course!) with the other 8 million kids there and they were really stingy with the food.

[Rell]

A local park is a good idea if space is an issue, providing the weather is fine.