To book a 4pm bday party ?

[berys]

Is it too late ?

DD is turning 5 end of August. The venue we want only has 1 slot available from 4pm-6pm on a Saturday or Friday.

Is that too late for 5&6 year olds? Most have younger siblings (which are invited too if they want to attend)

I'm in two minds about it.

At the same time I always find 12:00-14:00 parties annoying as it means you can't really do anything else with your day as it's right in the middle

Any advice Would be appreciated

I think it's a good time. You still get the whole day, can go to a party, they'll have their tea and can go home to get ready for bed.

I'd prefer that time to a middle of the day party, especially if there are younger siblings that still nap in the day.

I think it's a nice time, we had a party 4-6 after school last year and it went down really well. It's party, teatime and then home for bath and bed :)

Are You going to feed them?

Assuming you feed them I think that's a great time. Bath and bed when they get home nice and tired

Not too late at all it's much better in my opinion as it leaves the whole day free and then post party they can go home to bed.

We've booked one for DS who will also be 5 for 5-7pm later this year and I don't anticipate any problems with it being too late. For context our local squirrels unit and rainbows is from 5.30-6.30 on a week day. A party running at similar times especially on the weekend when they've no school in the morning doesn't seem outrageous.

As long as there's food I think that's a perfect time

Totally normal and fine

Another who would prefer a later party, rather than a midday one.

The point a previous poster made about Squirrels and Rainbow groups is a good one. Our local Rainbow pack; which has many 4 year olds, meets from 6pm -7pm on a week night, and the waiting list is always full.

Great time just make sure you feed them and make clear on invite that's the case
Have a great time

It’s a great time - leaves the rest of the day free for any usual activities, the party food counts as dinner then home for shower and bed!

We've just booked a party for our DS turning 5 for 3pm - 5pm and I was worried it would be too late but actually a lot of kids have activities on a Saturday morning so it's worked out quite well for attendance.

I'd prefer this time to an earlier time providing there will be food then they can just have a bath and bed as soon as they get home :)

4-6 on a Friday is perfect; Saturday less so I’d say.

We had one of those the other week, same age. It was on a Sunday which was mildly annoying as we normally have an end of weekend rush to get things done but the timing worked really well. The mum asked the parents in advance if they wanted food there or whether people would prefer snacks and have dinner after the party and everyone was happy with the latter.

We've been to about 6 class parties at that time this year, all turning 5 years old. They work out really well as the kids get their dinner and it wears them out ready for bed.

I disagree with this. You'll get rejections from almost any family where the parents work during the week.

If the slot 4pm-6pm exists it must be booked often enough. So people must like it. I think it sounds good: play- eat - home - bed. Great for parents. 😊

I agree that a weekend is a better option. 4-6pm on a Friday would mean a lot of the children at our school would still be in childcare.

I think that is the best time! It means they will eat at a normal time. If the parents think they may be hungry, they will give them a snack beforehand.

DD went to a 5-7 class party on a Friday. Everyone went and it was all fine. I seem to be the only mum that works full time in her class though! But luckily on Fridays I finish a little early

Thank you so much everyone for your replies. It helps a lot. I'll get on it and book the Saturday at 4pm. Yes we will feed them. I was thinking maybe sausages, pizzas & vegetables + all sorts of snacks ..

Would you add anything else?

Thank you so much. It really helps reading your replies!! X

I've been to one of these and it's been fine. In my experience they all go feral for the last 20 minutes or so of a party whatever time it's held.

Whereas I would say the opposite, because I don't finish work until 5pm so if my son were invited to a 4pm weekday party he wouldn't be going. But on a Saturday, sure!

I would imagine the Saturday would definitely be more popular, around here a large amount of children would be in after school provision at 4pm.