5-year-old birthday party

[clairebonk]

My best work buddy is paying a coach $175 for coordinating one hour of soccer drills for his 5 year old's birthday party.

Isn't that hilarious? They definitely don't have disposable income to throw around like that.

I usually don't say anything but this time I said " ......but couldn't YOU do that?" He didn't have a good answer.

We are living in strange times.

[okits]

Are the soccer drills the birthday kid's favourite activity or something?

(Also, shocked they can't get a high school kid to do it for $25.)

[mm1970]

There's lots of money in kid birthday parties

Can't have one for less than $200 here.  It doesn't matter if you go to "a place" (bowling, kid's gym, YMCA, etc.) or "a park" (still have to rent the spot and buy food).

The only way to do it on a reasonable budget, if you are looking to invite 10 kids or so and families (because at that age, they aren't "drop off" parties), is to have it at home and make your own food, or to "coyote it" at a park where you have to show up at daylight to get one of the few non-reserved spots.  And of course have someone sitting there all day.

Ask me how I know!

Finally kid #1 is past birthday parties as of 2 years ago, and kid #2 is 5 and has never had one.

[ScreamingHeadGuy]

Are five year olds really going to want to do soccer drills for an hour? 

[imolina]

I wish people were more reasonable where I live (I live in UAE). They spend $1000+ in parties. I am always the cheap one that spends maybe $100 in birthday parties at the playground. Probably they think I am stingy!!

[NextTime]

Are the soccer drills the birthday kid's favourite activity or something?

(Also, shocked they can't get a high school kid to do it for $25.)

This.  Contact a high school coach and get a kid on the team to do it for $50.

[chouchouu]

There's lots of money in kid birthday parties

Can't have one for less than $200 here.  It doesn't matter if you go to "a place" (bowling, kid's gym, YMCA, etc.) or "a park" (still have to rent the spot and buy food).

The only way to do it on a reasonable budget, if you are looking to invite 10 kids or so and families (because at that age, they aren't "drop off" parties), is to have it at home and make your own food, or to "coyote it" at a park where you have to show up at daylight to get one of the few non-reserved spots.  And of course have someone sitting there all day.

Ask me how I know!

Finally kid #1 is past birthday parties as of 2 years ago, and kid #2 is 5 and has never had one.

We have one fold up table and borrow another from friends. There's always a shady tree that doesn't need to be reserved and we bring picnic mats. I found out a popular park in my city charges charges around 200 for two picnic tables 😯 but there are plenty of lovely trees nearby and much nicer because the grass isn't worn out unlike the built in tables.

[jinga nation]

hot diggity dang! me so El Stupido Grande!

For 8 weeks I coached eight 4-6 year olds for their soccer league. Each practice was 1 hour, and these kids could go on for maybe another 20-30 minutes. They had a ton of fun, so did I.

I did this for free; now with a season of practice under my belt, I should advertise for birthday parties and monetize.

Only problem, there isn't enough time from being a dad to two kids under 6, husband to a professional working spouse, tech support/handyman for parents, full-time job, side rentals hustle, fitness time, and constant IT studies.

[ChiefMomOfficer]

Wow. The price is reasonable compared to what I’ve seen people spend. Think museum/gymnastic/bouncing type places for $200, not including food-for preschoolers. My kids get “friend parties” once they want to have them, which is usually around seven. And we do make your own pizzas at home, but with epic homemade birthday cakes.

[imolina]

This year I was thinking I may hire an entertainer for 1-2 hours to play games with the children at my son's birthday party, and I called a places for prices, they quoted me 1000 dhs ( $280 USD). I would pay the $175 better.

[okits]

I've wondered if these roles couldn't be filled by aspiring actors or childcare workers for half the price.  An actor or two puts on a small performance and hands out themed trinkets, or someone does a circle time with stories, songs, props, and games centered around the birthday kid or their interest.  Geez, for $100 + supplies I'll go to your kid's party and spend an hour singing songs, telling stories, playing with puppets and giving out favours.  I wonder if a huge part of the cost is hiring through an agency that feels the need to provide a wide variety of options and a high level of polish.

[NextTime]

Wow. The price is reasonable compared to what I’ve seen people spend. Think museum/gymnastic/bouncing type places for $200, not including food-for preschoolers. My kids get “friend parties” once they want to have them, which is usually around seven. And we do make your own pizzas at home, but with epic homemade birthday cakes.

$175 is reasonable for a party. It's not reasonable for just a coach running soccer drills, when you can get a high school kid to do the same thing for much less.

[OurNextStop]

That's nothing. We recently went to a gymnastics birthday party and when I mentioned to the Mom that the kids were having a blast, she said "I'm so glad they are having fun! This whole party only cost us $500 and I don't even have to clean up my house!"

She wasn't even being sarcastic.