A Second School Classroom Playdate on a Friday??? & Other Options Besides Pizza?

What you describe is more like a "special occasion", such as a birthday or maybe a Halloween or sleepover party. This is not something I would expect to do, or for my child to attend on a regular basis, or for that many children.

There's nothing wrong with one on one play dates for your child to have a nice time and bond with friends.

If you do want a different, inexpensive menu for a group besides pizza, try hotdogs, mac and cheese, mini burgers (sliders), veggies w/poppyseed dip,or make your own tacos.....If your not into beef you can substitute with turkey products. For dessert, make your own mini ice cream sandwiches with cookies, ice cream and a few sprinkle items.

I think it's a great idea, and I'm going to steal it. :) What a nice mom you are!

you have more energy and patience than I do that's for sure. I think if the kids liked it, and the parents approved, they will come again. You will find out quickly which ones did not, cause they will not accept the invites again. I think its a great idea. I wish people did this more. My 5 year old wants to do some but most of the kids in her class are allergic to animals and we have many so I hesitate.
Instead of Pizza, what about Spaghetti, or Lasagna? Something similar and you can make a lot of quickly?

OR as part of the party, you can do "make your own pizza" or " Taco Bar" ?

I think its a great idea--- they are having fun, why not?? What about make your own taco/burritos night---they might enjoy that since you already did pizza. Or everyone brings a dish from their family recipe/cultural background--then everyone tries it?

Good luck

Yep, I think it's a great idea. If this is do something you want to do regularly, I think the parents should chip in. Not sure how you would go about asking though. Since I'm the nicest person on the planet, I would offer always, but some people are not nice. ;). Lol

Chicken nuggets or store bought pizza you cook yourself? I think you have to feed them doing that time frame.

I think these get together are great for the girls. Also, it allows the parents to go out on a Friday night. I can't see anyone complaining.

EDIT. It is a rare weekend my 9 th grader doesn't have a bunch of friends over for dinner. It does get expensive but I like the kids at my house and I now know her friends:).

What if instead of buying pizza, you make dough ahead of time, get some sauce and season it yourself, buy some basic toppings, and the kids can make their own personal pizzas? It would be an activity in and of itself. You could even teach them how to make the dough by making a batch in front of them and explaining the process of why you use yeast, warm water, and why you proof the yeast first, why you don't add salt right away, how if you use fast-rise yeast it only takes 20 minutes to rise and why you have to let dough rise, etc. My daughter's girl scout troop did this on a "farm night" at one of the girl's houses since she lives on a farm. My daughter was able to answer many of the cooking questions and follow along because she knows how to bake and helps M. in the kitchen.

You could also collect some in-season veggies and fruits, and have them help you create a seasonal soup with some crusty bread. That actually sounds heavenly to M..

You could have some harvest crafts for making decorations. Scarecrows, cornucopia, Thanksgiving, harvest wreaths or candle holders. Simple stuff. Ooh, beading in harvest colors.

My daughters friends always loved the make your own mini-pizzas (I would buy pizza dough and then J. cut it into individual pizzas and bake before the kids got there).
Sloppy joes are easy and cheap - add chips and veggies

Other crafty ideas: Handprint turkeys (for thanksgiving). Thanksgiving greeting cards. Go online and you can find "I am thankful for"... and then they fill in the blanks - my son did this at that age and his favorite smell was his grandmother baking cookies.
They could even make a Christmas ornament or a handprint wreath - so easy and still one of my favorite things the kids made. Cut out center of paper plate for the middle of the wreath, have the kids trace and cut out numerous of their hands in green paper then glue on the wreath paper plate, can add red "holly" leaves if you want. It's a great keepsake.

Have fun! My daughter loves parties like this. I think its a great, low pressure way for her to make new friends and with the activities that you plan it helps to eliminate someone being left out.

As a parent, it wouldn't bother M. in the least, as long as my child had a good time and wanted to do it again. If there was some sort of scheduling conflict, of course, that would play into it... but J. generally? I'd love to have something lined up for my kid to do.

My kids' karate school actually did this regularly over the summer... like every other Friday. They'd go to an early "teen" (over age 10 really) class at 5:30, and J. stay. They'd order pizzas and watch a movie and hang out and do whatever they do---nerf gun wars, whatever. Or they'd take the school's bus and go to a movie at the theater around the corner. Or down the street to the bowling alley. They were ready to be picked up around 9:00. The kids loved it. And I loved hearing what a great time they had with their friends.

You could make your own pizzas, my daughter and her friends like doing this themselves, too. You can use dough, or precooked (like Mama Mary's that comes 2 to a pack for about $4)... then let them add what they like to them... pepperoni, olives, cheese, etc... When I use the MM's crusts, they take about 8 minutes in the oven per pizza.

Other inexpensive easy dinner options is chicken nuggets.

Why be annoyed? It's great for kids to make friends.

A couple of friends and I take turns doing pizza fridays at each other's houses. It is usually 2 or 3 other couples and us, plus all the kids. The kids play and watch movies and eat downstairs while the adults eat, have drinks and relax upstairs. We let the kids stay up late (till 10) and they're usually snuggled up on the couch under blankets watching movies by 9. We all love it. My kids say it is their favorite day of the week.

You are being very nice to host.

It sounded so fun-the way you described what the little girls did-how much fun and giggling went on-why do you feel someone would be annoyed-I would think they would be very appreciative and admire you for being so gracious!

One thing that I found to be fun was 1) you use a short string of Xmas lights, 2) weave it up through a basket and 3) put potpourri in the basket, 4) tie a bow on the handle-voila-an adorable decoration for the holidays-the lights are J. warm enough to enhance the scent of the potpourri! Easy and furn!
You are sweet!

So Emmy is having friends over? :p We have done taco bar, Sunday bar, salad bar, hamburger bar..... Letting them build their own keeps them occupied and they get what they want. :)

I think you need to not make it a formal gathering because that will start to look strange. J. invite a few friends over. The problem with formal group type things is they are less likely to be seen as a friendship thing but instead a party type thing. So sure they will invite Emmy to a party they may have but it may skip their minds to call her if they are J. having a few friends over.

I always go with one, three or five friends. Some reason six plus is the magic number where they don't pair off and you could have an odd man out.

I wouldn't be annoyed if the kids had fun, especially if you don't expect parents to stay. But the 16th is an ify date. It's my son's birthday and we usually can't have his birthday party on that date because so many friends are headed out of town for Thanksgiving. J. food for thought.

As far as meals go...pizza is always good. Hotdogs are cheap and easy. Nachos are easy too especially if each kid makes their own. Tacos and quesadillas are another "build your own" idea. Spaghetti is cheap too.

Great idea!

Cheap meals: baked ziti with some ground turkey; chili; make-your-own monster toes with cocktail weenies and crescent rolls.

Why don't you consider being a GS leader. That way you could fundraise to pay for this! You are already doing all the activities!