Is 6pm-8pm too late for 8yo birthday party?

[laserpartyplanner]

Posting on the app so can't do a poll but..

My son will be turning 8, this year he wants to have a laser tag party at a soft play venue. They do 'regular' parties during the day but laser tag is only on in the evenings, 6pm to 8pm, we'd have full use of the space. Hot dinner would be included and there is always plenty of food and it's nice.

So not really an aibu but is that too late? My son goes to bed around 9pm so he'd be fine with that. DH is also worried people won't want to drive their kids around as it will be on a Saturday evening. It's a 20min drive from our town but that's a normal distance to travel to a kids party in our area.

Yes on a Saturday it's a bit late for a kids party!

As a one off birthday party I wouldn't have a problem with the time

My 8 yo's usual bedtime is 8 but he's generally up until at least 9.30 reading, and he also has Cubs which doesn't finish til 8. He would cope fine but I suspect it would generally be too late for many kids.

I wouldn’t mind as a one off.

Mine is only 5 so others might disagree but I think as a one off eg not a regular commitment and a Saturday night this is fine. Although may be more of an issue for parents with younger siblings.

Yes but dc best friend has one that time so going with it...dc are 8. Wish earlier

Yes.

We did one of those parties and it was the most fun birthday party we ever had. Adults and kids had a blast.
It was late because they hold it after the centre shuts. I don't think its that late for a Saturday. (Just make sure you have enough adults that want to play too in case some kids don't come. And remember not to be too gloating when you beat the 8 year olds!!)

I’d be happy with it in the summer holidays, but wouldn’t prioritise it in the dark and rain tbh.

If you offered to pick kids up and drop them home after it might make people more willing to go for it.

Cater for the adults too and let them know there will be light refreshments for them too

I wouldn’t want to be farting about with such a short time window on a Saturday night to be honest.

Also what is "hot dinner"? If its usual soft play food- 4 chicken nuggets and a handful of chips I personally wouldn't want to drive that far that late on a Saturday and give up Saturday plans.

I think it’s fine and it makes it more exciting for the kids if it’s unusual for them to be out later.

I'd be fine with it for my eldest, the issue is the younger siblings - I wouldn't want DS2 in a car at the time pick up would be as he'd inevitably fail asleep and then the entire night is a mess (he's not a good sleeper). So I think it depends a bit on the family set ups of the people who would be invited.

I'd be surprised at the time but wouldn't mind it at all for my son (and he's only 7). He stays up till 9.30 on a Saturday anyway.

I wouldn't mind if I had the one (I have a 7 year old) but I also have a 1 year old so wouldn't like it because I'd have to take him and would be too late

If it’s not a school a school day the next day it’ll be fine

I would mind. It's late and getting there and back would add to that.

It's too late when you've got other kids to sort out. And some people might have plans at that time so it's not ideal. I prefer it when the party is earlier so it's out the way and then got the rest of the day to do things.

Wouldn't bother me at all.

I think it is a bad time, as it will muck up bedtime for any younger siblings and take over the evening which is a rare bit of adult time for plenty of people.

I would have been much more likely to be 'unable to attend' than if it had been daytime. I think weekend daytimes are for kid things.

God yes, I would not like that at all. I'm sure the 8 year olds would but it would irritate me having to come out to collect at that time of evening. I am probably more miserable about these things than many though.

I prefer it when the party is earlier so it's out the way and then got the rest of the day to do things. Yes this exactly!

I think it'll work for some (I wouldn't mind it) but probably not others, like single parents, those who can't drive etc.

But you can never please everyone, if your kid wants it, I'd try it.

I only have one DC so wouldn't be an issue for me. They've been to laser tag parties before and the kids have had a blast. Parents with younger children have presumably left them at home with another parent, grandparent etc. Can appreciate it would be trickier for someone with no option but to take younger siblings with them.

If it's what your child wants to do I would just book it and send the invites, those with DC that want to come will make it work.