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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask the ideal children's party time?

79 replies

Onthedowns · 15/01/2017 09:37

Looking at doing class party either a sat or sun 2 hours, been to a few at different times but can never decide which is the best time I know over tea good or lunch? 3-5? Throwing it open as always conscious of people's weekend lives!

OP posts:

formerbabe · 15/01/2017 20:40

No earlier than 11am. My friend had her DDS party at 10am on Saturday. I was most unimpressed at having to be up and dressed so early on a weekend.

AlmaMartyr · 15/01/2017 20:45

I like beginning or end of the day tbh. 3-5 is OK, prefer 4-6. Anything that takes up the afternoon is a right pita as it means we can't do anything else. I like 10-12 as well, but more so now mine are old enough to drop and run. Was less keen when I had to stay.

Capricorn76 · 15/01/2017 20:45

10.30-12.30 or 11-1 as you don't have to get up too early and you still have the rest of the day to do family stuff.

Really don't like times between 2-5 as it means you can't do anything before or after and working FT, I really cherish quality family time at the weekend.

We would not attend a party finishing after 6pm as if would take DD a while to come down from the party high and would cause problems at bedtime.

Rattusn · 15/01/2017 20:50

2-4

You can do snacks rather than a sit down meal, and less likely to clash with other activities/get in the way of a parent's lie in.

Artandco · 15/01/2017 21:47

Mine always have later bedtime also fri and sat evening as we usually go out for dinner or movie or something, then sleep 11hrs ie 11pm-10am

Yika · 15/01/2017 21:52

10:30-12:30 or 2:00-4:00. 3-5 also OK. No later.

WhoKn0wsWhereTheTimeG0es · 15/01/2017 21:54

2-4 or 3-5.

10-12 would be third choice but definitely not 11-1 as that eats into both morning and afternoon.

kel12345 · 15/01/2017 21:58

I'd say afternoon. Our sons first birthday party was from 3pm. We needed time to get the food and drinks done (we did a full buffet, lots to do)

clary · 15/01/2017 22:05

I always think a morning party is best, as then the kids are actually eating lunch and will want to eat. So, 11-1 with food at 12.15 or so. Also it gets it over with and you and all the guests can go an do something with the rest of the day.

If you have an afternoon one from 2-4, I am never sure what sort of meal they are eating at 3.15pm?? They prob won't be hungry and it's all a bit bobbins.

That said I nearly always did a party in the afternoon. But I do think morning is the way to go.

However prob good to check if a lot of the kids have footy/dance/swimming in the morning as this can impact attendance

Fourtothefloor "Play, lunch, cake, bye." genius!

LOL @ 11am being too early for some! What time do your infant aged kids get up? Mine used to be up by 6am every day (not now they are teens of course...)

Artandco · 15/01/2017 22:52

Clary - my 5 and 6 year olds wake 8-10am usually at weekend depending on time to bed. Even if awake at 8am weekend mornings are time for long leisurely baths, longer breakfasts, reading in bed, kids chilling. If they had to be up and rushed like a school day to leave by 9-9.30 for 10am party there would be a mutiny

Mrsglitterfairy · 15/01/2017 23:15

I would say 11-1 is perfect, they can play and have lunch. I personally hate the 1-3 and 2-4 ones, too late for lunch, too early for dinner... I usually do my DSs 11-1

FourToTheFloor · 16/01/2017 08:17

I think OP this thread tells you OP you should have your party at the time that suits you, no one can agree on the best time!

That's what I did anyway and one child can't come because they have something on a Saturday morning which is fine.

Nicpem1982 · 16/01/2017 09:29

We book ours 11-1

formerbabe · 16/01/2017 10:33

LOL @ 11am being too early for some! What time do your infant aged kids get up? Mine used to be up by 6am every day (not now they are teens of course...)

We are up by then but I usually laze around in my pyjamas until noon

StripyHorse · 16/01/2017 11:01

We left it late to book soft play once and ended up with the 4-6 slot. Turned out to be great.... gave people time to get their usual weekend stuff, kids were ready for tea and we more or less ended up with the place to themselves. Saturday morning seems to be the prime time for kids activities so I always try to avoid this.

ineedamoreadultieradult · 16/01/2017 11:04

We used to do 11:30 to 1:30. Makes it clear you will be feeding them lunch and they don't have to rush too much on the morning.

BikeRunSki · 16/01/2017 11:04

11-1
Obvious meal time
Not too long to wait in the morning
Enough afternoon to do something else and come down from the sugar high.

Notso · 16/01/2017 11:27

Anytime after 12. Morning parties are annoying, I don't want to spend my one lie in of the week at a kids party. Not bothered about it being over a meal or not.
Agreeing with pp about late at play barn being a good time. DS3's party was 5-7 on a Friday. It was empty.

mistermagpie · 16/01/2017 12:56

10am is far too early for me! 11-1 would be fine but personally I prefer 2-4. You can still do what you want in the morning and I'm not relying on DS getting a proper meal at the party (he's a fussy eater).

JellyWitch · 16/01/2017 13:12

We did 11-1 last time and it was perfect. Lunch done and the rest of the day free to do family stuff. I hate mid afternoon ones that ruin the whole day.

Hygellig · 16/01/2017 13:30

I don't like Saturday morning as it clashes with swimming lessons. Other than that, I'm not too fussed. 11/11.30-1/1.30 is good as it means that lunch is sorted. DS has had some parties on Sunday afternoons that have been well-attended (he has a winter birthday - possibly if it was in the summer people might resent not being able to do a day out if the weather was good). He was invited to one 5th birthday party that was 5:30-7:30, which I thought was a bit late.

Enidblyton1 · 16/01/2017 14:01

This is an interesting read - just shows everyone is different!

I generally prefer 11-1 parties because the children are fed lunch and you still have the rest of the afternoon to do something. Also, if a party is 3-5 the child can be over excited/tired by the time the party comes. That said, I've done more 3-5 parties...

I'm not a fan of 10-12 or 2-4 parties because they are between meal times. So the kids just eat sweets/cake and you still end up having to give them lunch and dinner (which they don't want to eat because they've had lots of sugar).

I have tended to do Sunday 3-5pm parties because most people seem to have set things planned for Saturdays. Or if people are away for the weekend, they are likely to be back home on Sunday afternoon.

Original poster

Onthedowns · 16/01/2017 22:09

I think like someone said I won't please everyone and to be honest where I can I accommodate others to take my DD! I have always preferred the 4-6/3-5 ones as I can get other things done .

OP posts:

phoenix1973 · 16/01/2017 22:12

My kids party 2 hours
Another kids party 4 hours
😂🤣

tinyterrors · 17/01/2017 01:11

My infant school aged dcs get up anywhere between 8 and 10 on the weekend. Dh and I have one lie in each at the weekend, after 5am starts during the week, and I hate having to spend my one lie in at a children's party with a bunch of over excited children.

The absolute worst party we've been to was 4-6 on a Sunday. A Saturday would have been great but being Sunday meant having to rush home for bath and bed ready for school the next day.

Do whatever time suits you best op, though I'd sound out your dd's best friends parents first to check it doesn't clash with any activities.

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