To book bday party at 5:45pm?

[MovingtoLondonAgain]

My DS has never had a party away from home and I would like to book a soft play centre.

However, birthday on a Friday (too expensive weekends) AIBU to book it for 17:45hrs on a Friday for a bunch of year 1’s?! Appreciate this is first world problems stuff! X

What about seeing if they have availability on the Thursday at a better time?

Finish school, party with friends and some gifts from them.

Wake up next day, actual birthday, kids at school will be talking about the awesome party the night before.

Thanks all. For the record I think soft play is hell, and I work full time but making arrangements for the day.

At 4pm I would be worried not enough time for people to get there?

Personally I’d be fine with that time (my kids never slept/went to bed very early anyway!), but some may be less enamoured.

PS meant the first time suggested- much better than 4.00

I think it's too late tbh.

Weekday parties are always awkward though.

Can't you book the weekend but invite less kids so it's not as expensive?

Min 10 kids, weekends £5 extra per child!

I know it’s not the same, but could you do a party at home instead? Softplay parties are extortionate!

Round here at least. I looked one up for dd recently and it was £18 per head.

I read these threads and wonder if things have changed enormously since my DC with little - they're now late teens.

This kind of thing wouldn't have bothered anyone when mine were 5/6 years old.

5.45 on a Friday!!! It's not late! And I was a stickler for bedtime etc, but it's fun to get out the routine occasionally.

Thats too late for Year 1 children. My ds went to soft play type parties from 4-6 (school finished 3.30pm) or at a push 5-7 might work but don't underestimate how tired and grumpy Year 1 children get on a Friday afternoon after a week at school.