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.

We just did this for my DS's 8th birthday, though it was a Friday night, 5:30-7:30 so a bit earlier. It was great! The vast majority accepted the invitation (I think we had 24 out of 28 invited). About 2/3 parents stayed, we paid for tea/coffee and pizza for the adults as well as the kids' food, and when some of the kids got tired and went to play away from the laser tag bit, the grown ups got to have a go! It was a success for us, though can see not everyone on MN would be a fan.

I think it’s fine, it sounds quite a special party and the next day is Sunday. And it’s one off - I don’t think people are taking children to birthday parties each Saturday.
There is always someone who prefers different time/ different day etc

Too late for us, my kids similar age go to bed at 8, very occasional later night but usually only on holiday. They'd be awful the next day and it wouldn't be worth it.

Thanks everyone! I fully expected mixed opinions, grateful for all the different points of view. I totally appreciate single parents or those with younger siblings might find it more difficult, I'd definitely offer a lift and arrange car sharing etc. I also appreciate, and am slightly jealous of, those with full social calendars!
I think we will give it a go. Most parents know each other, I'd imagine some would stay and get involved so hopefully it will be a good one!

Too late. No parent will thank you for making them come out at that time on a Saturday night.

Yes. It’s too late.

I think if you help arrange car sharing it will work really well op - have a great time!

as an aside I’m astounded that people think it’s unusual we have social plans most Saturday nights - is it really that unusual? Everyone we know in our social circle is usually busy Saturday night. Either hosting adult couples here or going round to other adults’ houses (leaving dc at home) or out to restaurants or birthday parties (eg 40ths) - we and our friends all use paid babysitters. I’m home being a devoted parent the other 6 nights of the week (and Dh works late most nights too)!

@langyang really, you are astounded that parents of young kids aren't out every Saturday night?

It is quite late but as a one off on a Saturday night I would have been ok with it at 8, that's when mine started having sleepover parties and they definitely weren't asleep by 9pm at them!

Brownies finishes at 8 where we are so don’t think it’s unreasonable.

Far too late. Pick up at 8 means home 8.30ish then trying to get a wired overtired child to wind down and get ready for bed - likely not asleep till 10. I would decline. I'd want everything over by 6pm latest.

As a single mum I would decline the invite. Would be lovely to get it but would not fit in with our schedule.

Dad has never been around and I work so weekends are for "down time".
He went to parties of course but usually after (primary) school.

Have a great time anyway OP.

How local is it to most of the kids? What time would they realistically be home?

I'd have been totally fine with that when mine was that age, but a lot of parents are very precious about bedtimes so I imagine you'll get a few turning down the invite.

100% agree

I think it's too late.

People have to get their kids home and bathed and calmed down - it'll be a late night for the kids and eat everyone's evening up.

Sounds a perfect time for a party to me. The distance might be an issue though, especially at this time of year when it's dark and miserable out.

Cubs finishes at 8:15 here and my 8yo goes to that on a school night! It’s just once a week though.

I don't think it is too late at all for eight year olds. If you give plenty of notice, the parents or parent will know not to plan anything for that evening. Maybe some will double up on lifts.

I don't think the time for eight year olds on a Saturday is the problem, but it's inconvenient for parents who might have other things they prefer to do on a Saturday evening, be that going out or sitting at home watching Strictly.

My daughter went to an 8th birthday party last week on Friday night 6.45-8-45pm. She was a bit knackered afterwards but seems the kids had fun.

Don't have to bath? Mine went to a late party, came home, cleaned her teeth and went to bed. I don't see the issue other than maybe swapping it to a Friday perhaps.

I’ve an 8 year old and I’d let her go but I wouldn’t love it (we’ve been to 5-7 ones and I think they’re too late). I’d also rather it was a Friday as mine tends to be tired on day 2 after a late night not the next day so would give more recovery time pre school.

Bedtimes seem really variable between parents at this age - mine starts bedtime routine at 7:30 and is normally asleep by 8:30 (we have to be up at 6;30) but I know parents who have theirs asleep at 7:30 and others who aren’t asleep before 9:30.

It would mess up Saturday night for the whole family imho.

Absolutely fine. We would grateful to be invited.