What is a good time of day for a 3 year old birthday party?

[hottchocolate]

If options are 10 or 1 or 2 what would you go for?

Last year a lot of the 2 year old parties we went to were in the morning (as was our DC party) and that made sense because of nap times but now they are 3 is that still the best time or is it a pain to get out somewhere by 10 am? For most people it would be at least a half hour drive.

I think 10 is good as people can then do what they want with the rest of their day but also 2 pm means we can have a leisurely morning, open and play with gifts, and then go to the party. I know some people are not morning people but 10 is not so early when you have a toddler!

I much prefer 10 am parties though ds was invited to a 11 to 1pm it was a great time.

Is it really hard to get out for 10? What time are these tots sleeping until?

@ancienticecream I'd go 11 too but I doubt they'd do it. I didn't think to ask though - maybe I should!

We had ours recently at 9:30am at soft play. Everyone came energetic, jumped and ran around. By 11:15 kiddies were a bit knackered so had lunch, cake, play some more and everyone was out by noon-ish

I chose 10-12pm for my 3 year olds party. Reasons being a) some of her and her friends still nap, b) those with younger siblings who nap c) can get on with your day afterwards. It worked great for us and we had a few people comment that they preferred a morning party. We still served a birthday lunch at 11 so everyone was fed as well

I'd have gone for 10 at that age, but my DS would have been up from 5.30 at that age so u can see why!!! Truthfully, like i guess most parents, I'd have got him to party whatever the time, cos that's what you do!!!

10 /10.30 and even do 1.5hrs not 2.

@Sweetlily99 the options are 10 am or 2 pm for a 2 hour party

There is plenty to do there

As for presents, we didn’t do family presents on the morning and in the afternoon we let her open gifts from her party. We spread family presents out over another few mornings. She didn’t seem to mind! It’s a lot to do it all in one day. Even if you did his presents in the morning and party in the afternoon, he wouldn’t understand why he had to leave all his new toys to go to the party. Best to split them into separate days I think!

I am now told it is 10 or 1!

1 may be better than 2 but is it better than 10?

I think our friends would prefer 10.

@SunSparkle I agree. Last year and the year before we opened gifts over about a week. He wouldn't open all gifts in the morning but probably some.

I'd go for 10. They might have younger children still napping and some 3yos are still napping too. Busy morning means chilled afternoon (hopefully), whereas you'll have an overexcited mess for afternoon parties.

10am for sure. Afternoon may be better for adults but almost all 3/4 year olds I have known are on much better form in the morning

Thanks everyone for the feedback. We went for 10 am.