Thread: How to split a party between adults and kids...

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Last year was the first year we did a combined kids and adults party. It was great and people had a lot of fun, but we definitely got a different crowd, atmosphere, and the majority of guests left around by 10:30-11.

This year, my husband and I are torn between what to do. We want an adult only party, but we are wondering if there might be some way to split the house and have two separate parties going on - all adult on one end, kids on the other.

So, I guess my questions are: How do other folks handle "mixed" parties? Is there an age that it works better for? (e.g. teenagers have no problem not mixing with the adults, but younger kids constantly wander over?) What sort of things to keep in mind when trying this? What works and doesn't work?

Any thoughts, guidance, and insight is appreciated!

Probably not the solution you are looking for, but our adult party is Sat night, Sunday night the kids get to have one. (we just re-arrange all the left over food on clean plates and pick up all the beer bottles.... ;-)

When you invite kids and their parents, it's guaranteed that the vast majority of them will leave around 10 pm - you're lucky they even left at 10:30 pm/11 pm. We always hold a mixed party and after weeks of decorating and planning, we are always disappointed when almost everyone leaves before 10 pm - meaning they only stay for like two hours after all that work we put in. I think you should hold an adults-only party if you want a party that lasts longer. I did think of holding a kids party earlier like at 6:30 pm with the adult party starting at 8:30 pm or so. Not sure if that'll work though. A friend of mine suggested inviting people in waves - one group invited to arrive at 8 pm, another at 9 pm, so you end up a constant stream of new people coming in. It all depends on the activities and games you have planned too. Let me know what you end up doing. We've been having the same problem for years. Thanks.

Im doing the adult party Friday and the kids on Saturday. Both are witches wingding parties so the decor will stay in place. I just hope I dont have a hangover!! lol

I was in the same quandry. I have decided to keep it adults. I go all out for the kiddies on Halloween night. I am however telling some of my friends with older teens they can come. I thought about mixing it, but alot of my friends have young kids like me, so it would be crazy!

For me when you are at a party with your kids you never get to relax. I always feel like I am chasing them around all evening, so they don't kill themselves or break something. It becomes more stressfull than fun.

I'd agree with most of the stuff on here. I'd probably go with earlier for the kids and later for the adults. You'd figure the sun starts setting around 5 or so in the fall, so you could do like 6 to like 8 for the little kids, then have your adult friends over from 9 and on.

Really it would depend on the ages of the kids. I would never endorse a mixed adult/kid party with children 13 and under if Alcohol is going to be present. When dealing with kids running around in costumes and having too much fun to really look out for themselves its good to have as many 'clear headed' adults as possible.

Older teens, like someone else said, can kind of do their own thing and in that instance a mix might not be too bad. They can make friends with other guests children. But keep in mind, if you get a bunch of 15 or 16 year old kids together .. they are going to conspire to get their hands on some of those beers. I know that's what I tried to do when I was a kid. So keep you're eyes peeled haha.

But yeah, I'd vote for two seprate parties, either an early and late or Friday and Saturday.

I would do what most people suggested, have an adult party one night and a kids the next. However, if you have teenagers I would NOT invite them to the adult party. Most teens will argue they're not children, but if they're not of age to drink, they WILL find a way to sneak liquor if you have any at your party,unless of course you're ok with that...

When our kids (and all of our kids friends) were younger we did a combined party. It worked great....I hired 2 or 3 teenage girls from the neighborhood to watch the kids who had their own food/games/crafts/movie activities. The girls were told to keep the kids AWAY and they always did a great job. One year we set up tents outside for the kids, and one year we set up the garage and driveway. We had so many things planned for the kids to do that they never even wanted to join the adults. At the end of the night I put out a little jar (I let everyone know in advance I would be doing so) and lots of parents contributed to the sitter fund. They were happy to do so and have a night to themselves! The kids had fun, the parents had a great time, and the babysitters always went home with good money, and trays full of goodies.
We did this arrangement for several years with great success.

Originally Posted by badgirl

When our kids (and all of our kids friends) were younger we did a combined party. It worked great....I hired 2 or 3 teenage girls from the neighborhood to watch the kids who had their own food/games/crafts/movie activities. The girls were told to keep the kids AWAY and they always did a great job. One year we set up tents outside for the kids, and one year we set up the garage and driveway. We had so many things planned for the kids to do that they never even wanted to join the adults. At the end of the night I put out a little jar (I let everyone know in advance I would be doing so) and lots of parents contributed to the sitter fund. They were happy to do so and have a night to themselves! The kids had fun, the parents had a great time, and the babysitters always went home with good money, and trays full of goodies.
We did this arrangement for several years with great success.

This is the best idea yet! I would so do this....Love it!

Ah, our parties are always mixed!!

But, it's always adults outside, kids inside. and that usually works fine - they have 3 tvs inside - Playstation on one, XBox on one, and scary movies set on the 3rd. I have them their own party snacks and drinks.

We are outside, b/c so many of my friend smoke, and it's just were we end up, spills don't matter, etc...

We are in and out using the bathroom and checking on kids through out the night - by midnight they are usually crashed all over the place!! couch, recliner, beds!!

We hosts parties at our house, usually once a month, so we do this all the time, and it works perfectly.