To organise a children's party for 10am?

[sparklyjumper]

A party for 4-5 years olds. I want to do this but not sure if it's a bit early and will put people off.

Been over ideas, I'm on a budget, I will be doing the party with little help and it's my first one so don't really fancy keeping kids entertained with party games myself for 2 hours.

Best idea I can think of is hiring a Wacky Warehouse soft play for exclusive use meaning we can invite more children, I can do my own food and have a theme but won't really need to worry about party games, trouble is can only do this at 10am in the morning.

I'm having DS's 4th birthday party this Saturday but at 3:30-5:30. Re: your original question, no I don't think 10am is too early at all. Round here, parties seem to be 10:30-12:30 or 3/3:30-5/5:30 ie to incorporate party lunch or tea.

I'm doing it on a budget too and I'm doing a make-a-pizza party. I was going to have it at my house with just 4 of DS's friends but I'm now having it in our church hall for a donation (we attend the church but most village/church halls aren't that expensive) and have invited 12 friends. However, it is still much cheaper as I've only really got to pay for the dough/toppings ingredients plus cake and a few other nibbles, then the bits and pieces like tablecloths/party plates, balloons etc and haribo/gold coins for the treasure hunt. I've shopped around and bought most of it in the local pound store. Got a great little toy for the pass the parcel in there too.

After making the pizzas ie while they are cooking, it'll be the treasure hunt and musical bumps, then eat, then pass the parcel, then possibly biscuit decoration (which will go into the party bags) and also general running around/playing with balloons to music.

I've found that the local soft play option does charge a one-off fee for the time to play plus party food and (I think) party bags but it's £12 a head with a minimum number. I'll probably be spending £50 or less in total and I know my DS and his friend can't wait because its something a bit different.

Sorry for rambling but I've spent the day shopping for it all so it's all swimming round my head at the moment! I just thought it might help to think of something different to help keep costs down.

I would go for this idea, i hate waiting around until after lunch for childs parties as it means it takes up the whole day. would much prefer the early morning.

I'd much rather go to a 10am one than one of those that starts at 1 or 2 and you're just spending the whole day waiting for it to happen.

We are having a 10am - 12noon party this Sunday so I'll let you know! It's at a soft play place and they have a play and then lunch/cake. Much prefer morning parties!

I love your party wingdefence, do you want to come and host ds party? The poor boy has a mum with zero imagination who can't make pizza dough let alone helping 12 kids to make it.

The good thing about this is it's only a one off fee not per head, I can do my own food and invite a few more children. I was kind of hoping I might be able to fit in one game of pass the parcel or bumps after food but might be being a bit over enthusiastic.

Sounds an ideal time - up and out, lunch supplied then back home for a snooze if needed or the rest of the day to oursepves.

Haha sparkly, I'm having help with the dough but otherwise I was just going to buy bases and go from there!

One-off fee for as many as you want sounds like really good value. When DS has been to soft play parties they still have always had a break for pass the parcel and these have been for 4th and 5th birthdays. You could do it just after food to let it go down before they go on the rampage get back into the WW again?

It is a bit on the early side and I've never known a party start before 11a.m. But it wouldn't put us off going if we were invited to one tht started at 10.00. Yes, some people might have activities on, but some people have them later on on a Saturday, you cant please everyone.

Took dd (8) to a party a couple of weeks ago that started at 10. it was fine.

It seems to be fashionable now but I find it an odd time. It's really early for a weekend, we like a relaxed morning on Saturday! Our parties are always in the afternoon so there is time to get everything set up without being up at dawn. We go to early parties if invited but a traditional tea time party is our preference.

Id groan if I got an invite with 10am on it!

Way too early.

Also, I have never seen a soft play place have sole use for a party, you always have to mingle with the other children.

That'd be perfect timing here