Best start time for a 5yr old birthday party

[Havaword]

Hi, I’m just thinking about organising a birthday party for my ds. I’ve never organised one so thinking of just doing a soft play one. I’ve looked at their website and the have starting times of 9am, 12pm or 3pm. They will provide food etc. I’ll be doing it a weekend probably the Sunday. Which time do you think would be the most convenient time for the most people? I thought 12 but I’m wondering I’d it will be awkward food time wise? Any thoughts?

If the venue are providing food I would say 12. Who wants to eat hot dogs etc between 9 and 11? And 3 to 5 is an awkward time on a Sunday afternoon/evening.

Lunchtime is a pain if you have other children. You either have to organise someone else to feed them or pay for them to eat out.

I would have said 3. 12 is the middle of the day so it stops people from doing much during the day and many kids have sports training on Sunday mornings. Food is normally served 90 mins so 10.30, 1.30 (late for kids lunch) or 4.30.

1. It gets siblings naps out of the way, parents can do a last minute dash for presents if they need to and other family activities are usually finished by then.

Thanks it seems 3 May be a better option

I would go 3 as well as it gives enough time for people to do something else as a family before they come. 12 cuts right across the day.

Agree 3 is perfect. Lunch has settled and 4-4.30 dinner no trouble for 5yo. We used to just give mine cereal for supper after parties at that time, also it’s not late so doesn’t interfere with bedtime.

Definitely 3pm.

I can't abide 3pm kids parties! Absolute graveyard shift, the kids are tired and more likely to play up / end in tears. Either 9am with nibbles or 12pm with lunch. 9 is best for the kids.

Midday or afternoon. Nobody wants 9am

9am?? Hell no - don’t do that to the other parents.

3

9am kids party?!

Definitely go for 3pm!

I’d say 3

I actually have preference for a 9am party as an attendee as I have a baby so I’m always up supper early but I think 3pm will better for organising myself first and it seems to be the preference on mn

I always went for earlier rather than later as my (anxious) DC would wake up on the day of the party and get increasingly stressed/overexcited until the party started. In this case I would say 12. By 3pm mine would have been exhausted just from the build up/anticipation.

3 would be worse for me as my 2 get cranky around 5 and sometimes earlier as they're tired. I think 12 is the best but make it we'll clear on the invitation if there is food or not for planning. 9 would be my second choice as kids will be happy and not tired

Is the food provided after the soft play? If so I’d go for 3- then they can eat around tea time.

3pm. 12 is rubbish for the rest of the family and any parent who may stay,

9am - sorry, even with my early riser I didn’t fancy that.

I personally think any food apart from a cake is rubbish but we are a family eating dinner together at 7pm ever since DD was weaned but I just learned that a hot dog or sandwich at 4pm is just a snack, not a meal here,

3 pm,

9am is far too early!
12 noon breaks up the day too much

If any of the guests have olde siblings, they may well be doing a sports event on a Sunday morning.

My dc are 9 and 12, I have learnt from experience

I’d also say 3pm, much better time for parents and kids.

I’m doing the same soon - But what i need to know is when do you send out the invites? 1 or 2 weeks in advance?

@icelollies - about 4 weeks in my experience

3.00 for sure. Kids will be fed near a normal tea time and will be tired out for bed

See I would always go for 12 myself. 3 is neither lunch nor dinner time.
When I do kids parties I go for 11:30 til 2 and we have lunch in the middle.

Thanks for the comments I think I’m set on 3 and hopefully that works for most. He’ll just be starting school in September so I hope that doesn’t throw up issues with the guest list as im thinking about just inviting the friends from nursery but I know a few of them are going to his school so I hope I don’t cause a divide or it impact on future invitations for him, but he’s my first and I have no idea what the etiquette is. Help!