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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this too late for a kid’s party?

74 replies

April01 · 11/01/2025 21:19

Having an entertainer to my son’s birthday party but the hall / entertainer can only do 4-6pm. Is on a Saturday. Would this put you off going?

Kids will be between 1-5 years old.

OP posts:
supersonicginandtonic · 11/01/2025 22:00

Too late? Do sone parents honestly not do anything after 4pm? What about days out, holidays, family occasions etc?
Crack on OP. All my kids would have/do parties at that time

ThriveIn2025 · 11/01/2025 22:01

Too late for us but I wouldn’t judge you 🤣 just politely decline.

Lamplighting · 11/01/2025 22:01

I think it’s fine!

YouveGotAFastCar · 11/01/2025 22:02

It'd be fine for us, with a 3 yo, but he goes to bed at 7 - I'd just need to know about food arrangements so I could make sure he was sorted. It'd probably make him sleep well!

Mummyslittlegiraffe · 11/01/2025 22:02

Too late for my 4.5 year old. Party today 1500-1700, the excitement built all day (I am seriously considering not telling her until we arrive time). Then had to keep her awake on the way home, melt down whilst doing bedtime routine. Still had to top her up with a second tea, as the reality is however good the food offering, at that age they’d rather be playing.

Rosesgrowonyou · 11/01/2025 22:02

It's not too late. It's a one off party until 6. I'm sure kids can cope with leaving the house after 4pm.

OolongTeaDrinker · 11/01/2025 22:03

I think that's fine as long as the venue is local to all the guests, and you make it clear you will feed the kids so people aren't put off by the though of having to go home with a tired hungry child and still need to feed them before bed.

LoveBluey · 11/01/2025 22:03

Haha judge you!

It's fine, most nurseries close at 6 so it's not a ridiculously late finish.

There's a soft play near me that only does exclusive hire 6-8 which I do think is a bit too late and it's put me off booking even for my 7 year old buy 4-6 is fine.

Bournetilly · 11/01/2025 22:05

It is a bit late, I would prefer the party to be earlier in the day but I would still bring my DC. My 5 year old has one coming up that’s 5-7pm and they are going.

Nextyearhopes · 11/01/2025 22:13

MumonabikeE5 · 11/01/2025 21:55

Too late. And I would judge you.

Surely you would just not attend if it didn't suit you...

TwentyTwentyFive · 11/01/2025 22:15

I'm really surprised at how many are saying it's too late. Lots of children that age have not even been collected from nursery at that time of day.

AmethystRuby · 11/01/2025 22:17

i think its on the late side, but not too late. its only 2 hours and theres entertainment involved. i say go for it! so annoying when kids parties start at 11am. those are the parties i try to avoid! i havent even had my second cup of coffee by then!

SouthLondonMum22 · 11/01/2025 22:19

It would be too late for my 2 year old. I'd decline.

OurDreamLife · 11/01/2025 22:20

I think fine in summer but I couldn’t be arsed going in winter at that time.

elb1504 · 11/01/2025 22:27

We've had one recently 5pm-7pm for 5 year old birthday, DS is 4. Was fine and he was so tired from running around bedtime was pretty normal still at 7.30pm.

SatinHeart · 11/01/2025 22:39

I'd grumble a bit to myself but then put a smile on my face and bring DC. As long as it's not far to travel because no one is going to want their DC to fall asleep on the way home.

Went to a 4th birthday party fairly recently that was 4-6 pm. DC got very hyped up and then bedtime was a pain but it was a one off.

Tia86 · 11/01/2025 22:43

That would have been too late for mine. 3-5pm would be just about ok, but the wind down afterwards would be too much any later. Also depends where the party venue is and how far people would be travelling.

Tia86 · 11/01/2025 22:45

AmethystRuby · 11/01/2025 22:17

i think its on the late side, but not too late. its only 2 hours and theres entertainment involved. i say go for it! so annoying when kids parties start at 11am. those are the parties i try to avoid! i havent even had my second cup of coffee by then!

That's my favourite time for parties! My kids have always been early risers so an 11-1 party is the best for us, plus covers lunch at a convenient time. Late parties are too much for mine, plus there is also the random 2-4 parties where you end up not knowing how to feed your child that day!

Saltandvin · 11/01/2025 22:48

HPandthelastwish · 11/01/2025 21:37

It's a bit late and children more likely to get a bit cranky and overwhelmed. If you do hold it then get a dominos delivery or do a chip shop run for several large portions of chips for both parents and children to tuck into, maybe a couple of loaves of bread and butter so people can have a butty alongside normal party fare

Do 1-5 year olds really want Domino's? I think there would be an awful lot of half eaten slices based on how children at pre-school parties tend to eat.

OP it wouldn't be too late for mine but some of their friends were definitely cranky after 4pm until about age 4. You could almost set your watch by it.

theeyeofdoe · 11/01/2025 22:48

4-5 yr old fine, but no my younger children would have fallen asleep in the car in the way back home and not slept.

InfoSecInTheCity · 11/01/2025 22:50

DD would have been a bit grumpy by that time, especially if she was in the older part of the range and had been looking forward to the party all day and getting too excited.

Puttingchildrenfirst · 11/01/2025 22:51

I'd take my 5yo no problem at all, she had a 5-7pm pottery painting party a few months ago and it felt a little odd but she thought she was so grown up going to a party in the "evening" (she's 5 going on 15 here!).

I wouldn't bring my toddler because there's a really good chance he'd fall asleep in the car on the way home and then just never sleep again... we're at the stage where he doesn't nap anymore and we have to prevent car naps at all costs!

FoxtonFoxton · 11/01/2025 22:54

Would have been absolutely fine with me. Great actually. Covers dinner time and then wear them out for bath and bed when you get home.

SpunkyCritic · 11/01/2025 22:57

MumonabikeE5 · 11/01/2025 21:55

Too late. And I would judge you.

Seriously?! Wtf is wrong with you?

No OP, it's not too late.
Nurseries close at 6

HPandthelastwish · 11/01/2025 23:00

Saltandvin · 11/01/2025 22:48

Do 1-5 year olds really want Domino's? I think there would be an awful lot of half eaten slices based on how children at pre-school parties tend to eat.

OP it wouldn't be too late for mine but some of their friends were definitely cranky after 4pm until about age 4. You could almost set your watch by it.

Show quote history

For the parents not so much the children as it's over a family meal time.

A couple of Marguerite's or some portions of chips doesn't break the bank but having something warm over a meal time will be appreciated. Otherwise by the time they get the kiddies home and bathed - and they'll need one as they'll be over excited and sweaty, child into bed and sat down for something proper to eat it will be quite late.