Question about SS’s birthday party

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SS is turning 11 this month. In the past we would have a “family” birthday party at home and then another “kid” birthday party with all SS’s friends from school. The kid birthday party would be with like 10-12 kids and held at places like Chucky cheese, Laser tag or bounce party place. Except for laser tag which we have done two years in a row SS has aged out of the other places. We talked to SS about what he wants to do and he said kids his age don’t have kid parties. SS is a VERY shy child and he started a new school this year so I don’t know if he’s just saying that because he’s to Embarrassed to ask kids to a party. So I’m looking for people who have or had children around SS’s age for Suggestions. Do kids kinda phase out of having “kid parties” at places? If so how do you Celebrate bdays? Just have a family party?

We have switched to "family"

We have switched to "family" birthday dinner and then allowing the boys to choose to do something with a friend or two for the day. Around here, that could be going to ride go-karts, seeing a movie, and having dinner somewhere.

YSS has been young enough that BM has done the "friend" thing because she knows the parents better, but we have taken care of OSS because he likes going to a gaming convention DH and I go to.

I say do the family party then have SS invite a friend or two out to go do some fun stuff. It may still be laser tag, but it won't be tied to what feels like a "kid party".

We generally just did

a birthday party at that age and had the kiddo invite a few friends. But we did do a movie theater party for middle DD when she turned 11 and it was a blast. We just wrapped the family party into it and then had a dinner the night of the actual birthday.

I'd just go with whatever he

I'd just go with whatever he wants.

I would say since my son was

I would say since my son was about 10-11 we switched from "bday parties" to having one or 2 friends come over and do something like go to a hockey game and take them to hooters (funniest place ever to take pre-teen and teen boys!!).

This year my son just asked for bunch with both sides of the family (his dads/stemom's and mine). We are all cool with eachother so that is what we are all doing. 28 people meeting for brunch! LOL

SS12 did want a big party for

SS12 did want a big party for his bday, but it just wasn't logistically possible, so he had a sleepover with 3 of his friends where I got him a cake, etc instead. The year before that we took him and his 3 friends to a movie. We don't do a big family party, but my SO's parents usually take him to eat and buy gifts. He seems to like this arrangement. This year, however, I do think we'll do something like laser tag with a few of his friends.

Now SD9, however, I'm HOPING grows out of this "big party" phase. Every year it's a whole thing, 13 girls and games that my SO comes up with, a craft, food, water balloon fight....it's fun, but getting to be a bit much. Hoping 10 is the magic number where it dies down.