Is 5.30pm - 7.30pm OK for a (weekend) party for 7 & 8 year old?

[PleaseYourselfandEatTheCrusts]

It's the only time available at a local softplay . Not sure if its OK, or I should go elsewhere?

I think I may just be being a bit daft because I have never done a party before, and I am nervous.

I'd think it's fine.

It would be fine for my 6&8 year olds.

Personally I wouldn't mind it. I sometimes don't like it if a party is slap bang in the middle of the day because it makes it hard to do anything else with the day.
Dd recently went to a party that started 10am on a Sunday! Cheers for that Thomas' mum! And it was outside!

It’s perfect for that age group-it doesn’t commit people for the whole day the way a mid afternoon party does, and it covers a mealtime-what’s not to like!

Yes, as long as you’re feeding them.

Wouldn’t work for us. My 7yo is in bed by 7.30 and I have younger siblings to feed and get to bed. We’d decline.

I've been to a 6-8pm party for 6-10yos. They were all fine. It was for a club that usually finished at 7pm.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Yes, I would be feeding them.

Totally fine.

our Brownie group is from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Id be fine with it on a saturday, wouldnt kill them.

Thanks, this has reassured me quite a bit.

I think the problem you might have is with those who have younger siblings with earlier bedtimes.

If someone has younger siblings though it's unlikely they'd come to the party- people pay her space, I wouldnt expect siblings to come.

Sure but some people won't like the disruption of one child going to a party at the other's bedtime.

That'd be fine for me and my DS (almost 8) who doesn't go to bed until late and is an only child so no siblings to worry about, but most of my friendship circle and family with kids wouldn't attend as kids are all in bed 7-8 and have younger siblings

but my point being ie. I have a 1 yr old, if my 4 year old was invited to this party my husband would be looking after my youngest ie. could put them to bed, otherwise we wouldnt be going at all, regardless of time because my 1 yr old wasnt invited.

Yes this is fine. Ds has cubs which doesnt finish until 8 on a tuesday so at a weekend this would be more than fine.

I assume the posters saying they have other children to get to bed don't have a partner/partner wouldnt be home by that time, which is understandable. But i also have a 1yo and 4yo (as well as 8yo) and dh would either do the bedtime for them or the party pick up.

Surely even if that's not an option, there is the possibility that a family member who could collect the child from the party? Or another parent who could drop them home?

I would find a way to make it work so that my ds didnt miss a party at the weekend.
I think that time is fine OP

My kids are those ages and “early” bedders (7pm asleep by 8 at latest which I don’t think is that early personally but seems earlier than most children we know). Even with that I’d be happy with this party timing (although potential not on a Sunday but Friday or Saturday yes). If you are giving them food that would be dinner taken care off and it’s not crazily late finish. Their Cubs finishes at 8 once a week (which we do struggle with but the benefits of going outweigh the slightly too late a night once a week). Enjoy your DC’s party.

We would be able to make it and I don't think it's too late, but I would resent giving up my Saturday night if I'm honest.
I would prefer a Friday.

I’d say it’s fine for those ages especially as they’ll be fed. We’ve gone to parties at a similar time. A few won’t be able to make it but that will be the same whatever time you have the party.

Thanks for all these responses.

I have booked it now. I am sure there will be a few that can't make it but as long as some turn up I will be happy.

It will be fine, the kids will love being up a bit later too!

Those with younger siblings can just drop their child at the party and ask another parent to drop them home or send the other parent.

People pay a lot for these parties and I think it is the place of the guests to fit in and be flexible.

Thanks, Minimalme. I was kind of thinking staying up late would be a bit of a novelty for them and add to the fun.

Also, if it was much, much too late it surely wouldn't even be an option

I'm looking forward to it now!

I did for a 3yr old. Everyone came. I paid for hot food. I wanted private hire not among the public
Was brilliant

I would anticipate a few of the early bedtime kids crying / hurting themselves / arguing in the last half hour or so. At that age, making mine stay out past 6.30 was a recipe for some sort of bad behaviour - they just needed more sleep than most of their friends. But as long as you’ve got plenty of adults to deal with it, it’s not a big problem.