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Original poster

What is a good time of day for a 3 year old birthday party?

63 replies

hottchocolate · 06/03/2024 15:15

If options are 10 or 1 or 2 what would you go for?

Last year a lot of the 2 year old parties we went to were in the morning (as was our DC party) and that made sense because of nap times but now they are 3 is that still the best time or is it a pain to get out somewhere by 10 am? For most people it would be at least a half hour drive.

I think 10 is good as people can then do what they want with the rest of their day but also 2 pm means we can have a leisurely morning, open and play with gifts, and then go to the party. I know some people are not morning people but 10 is not so early when you have a toddler!

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Original poster
hottchocolate · 11/04/2024 23:26

Thanks everyone for the feedback. We went for 10 am.

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KateLizAn · 07/03/2024 09:41

10am for sure. Afternoon may be better for adults but almost all 3/4 year olds I have known are on much better form in the morning

MuggleMe · 07/03/2024 09:34

I'd go for 10. They might have younger children still napping and some 3yos are still napping too. Busy morning means chilled afternoon (hopefully), whereas you'll have an overexcited mess for afternoon parties.

Original poster
hottchocolate · 07/03/2024 09:26

I am now told it is 10 or 1!

1 may be better than 2 but is it better than 10?

I think our friends would prefer 10.

@SunSparkle I agree. Last year and the year before we opened gifts over about a week. He wouldn't open all gifts in the morning but probably some.

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SunSparkle · 06/03/2024 20:56

hottchocolate · 06/03/2024 20:47

@Sweetlily99 the options are 10 am or 2 pm for a 2 hour party

There is plenty to do there

As for presents, we didn’t do family presents on the morning and in the afternoon we let her open gifts from her party. We spread family presents out over another few mornings. She didn’t seem to mind! It’s a lot to do it all in one day. Even if you did his presents in the morning and party in the afternoon, he wouldn’t understand why he had to leave all his new toys to go to the party. Best to split them into separate days I think!

Original poster
hottchocolate · 06/03/2024 20:47

@Sweetlily99 the options are 10 am or 2 pm for a 2 hour party

There is plenty to do there

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Sweetlily99 · 06/03/2024 20:29

10 /10.30 and even do 1.5hrs not 2.

saoirse31 · 06/03/2024 20:29

I'd have gone for 10 at that age, but my DS would have been up from 5.30 at that age so u can see why!!! Truthfully, like i guess most parents, I'd have got him to party whatever the time, cos that's what you do!!!

SunSparkle · 06/03/2024 20:28

I chose 10-12pm for my 3 year olds party. Reasons being a) some of her and her friends still nap, b) those with younger siblings who nap c) can get on with your day afterwards. It worked great for us and we had a few people comment that they preferred a morning party. We still served a birthday lunch at 11 so everyone was fed as well

PeloMom · 06/03/2024 20:25

We had ours recently at 9:30am at soft play. Everyone came energetic, jumped and ran around. By 11:15 kiddies were a bit knackered so had lunch, cake, play some more and everyone was out by noon-ish

Original poster
hottchocolate · 06/03/2024 20:08

@ancienticecream I'd go 11 too but I doubt they'd do it. I didn't think to ask though - maybe I should!

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Perfect28 · 06/03/2024 19:06

Is it really hard to get out for 10? What time are these tots sleeping until?

Fundays12 · 06/03/2024 18:46

I much prefer 10 am parties though ds was invited to a 11 to 1pm it was a great time.

ancienticecream · 06/03/2024 18:45

I'd opt for 10am. We have a 2 & 4yo, and 2pm start time is her nap time. If she skips it she's utterly miserable for the rest of the day.

If you could nudge the venue for an 11am start time then that would work best for us (not that we have an invitation 🤣)

LlynTegid · 06/03/2024 18:41

10am if on a Saturday, but not on a Sunday.

NWnature · 06/03/2024 18:34

10am

Original poster
hottchocolate · 06/03/2024 18:32

@Blondeshavemorefun Yes I do think it's too early as well but it's in keeping with their routine as most of the kids are from the same nursery! I suppose they do it as some kids are picked up at 4:30 or earlier. We pick up around 6

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Original poster
hottchocolate · 06/03/2024 18:31

It seems like 10 am is preferred slightly.

I agree earlier than that would be too early as it is over half an hour for us and will be for some others.

@DrCoconut For a party at 10 I would need to leave 9-9:15 so we would be up and getting dressed and having breakfast early. There wouldn't be any time for my birthday child to open gifts or anything so it's more about guests. For someone else party I think we'd do either. We have an invitation for one at 12 and that's fine.

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Blondeshavemorefun · 06/03/2024 18:29

But eat again at home

Know it annoys my
Friends who use nursery they eat so early as eat again later

TimetoPour · 06/03/2024 18:28

10am party, 11.30 lunch, 12.00 home time for nap.

Food is at meal time and nap is not too late that it interferes with bed time

Original poster
hottchocolate · 06/03/2024 18:26

@Blondeshavemorefun a lot of toddlers have a meal at 3:30-4:30 at nursery though i think

Thanks @Flittingaboutagain I think you may be right

@vincettenoir 3 pm isn't an option at the venue. If we could pic any time I'd probably go for 11 myself

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AllBlackEverything · 06/03/2024 18:17

10am is perfect for a preschooler party. Otherwise there's always a few that are too worked up by the time the party comes around and it ends in tears.

dancinginthewind · 06/03/2024 18:13

2pm is a pain for any of your child's friends who still nap, especially if it is 30 mins away. You run the risk of having some super grumpy guests who either skipped their nap or had to be woken up early.
Also, if guests can take advantage of being there for longer than the party slot, I think it's better that they stay after the party than arrive before you and, by the time the party starts, have got a bit bored and want to go home.

Redtedbed · 06/03/2024 18:00

10am definitely, all done by 12 and you can get on with your day. Afternoon ones just feel like you're constantly clock watching. If you have the party at 2 they get fed at 3.30pm so you've still got to give them dinner when you get home!

ApolloandDaphne · 06/03/2024 17:55

I always preferred 10 when mine were small. They were up early anyway so we could just crack on with the party then the rest of the day was free to relax.

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