To do a child’s 5th birthday party from 4pm to 6pm on a Sunday?

[Definitelynotagladiator]

Hi, really struggling to find a venue to host in Winter. And have been offered 4pm to 6pm on a Sunday - is this too late?
My gut is saying it is but I’m running out of options.

Sorry but this is a bit pathetic. Just adjust and get on with things. It’s 6pm at night. It’s not late for a 5 year old.

Yes that's fine as long as it's more towards supper food rather than afternoon tea party food.

I’d avoid a 4-6pm slot for toddlers for this exact reason but surely this isn’t an issue for 4.5-5 year olds??

are 5 year olds still falling asleep in the car at 6pm?

Best party ive ever been to was 4.15 to 5.45. I had images of sausage rolls and muffins for tea, but the parents had just hired the venue and had made massive trays of homemade macaroni cheese, cut up veggies/dips, cut up fruit, cheese etc. There was enough food for all the kids and parents. If you do it like that it'll definitely be a winner!

Perfect time, I still can do something with the day and home for bath and bed.

Depends on the child, DC1 I'd happily say yes, DC2 would likely be a no.
But most people will say yes based on the thread.

I’d be all for that and just do bath & bed then.

As a host, I’d only take that slot at a venue that provides everything and no need to clean up. I wouldn’t do a village hall type thing where you would have to tidy up after.

Wouldn't have been an issue when my DC were small, but i don't think they ever went to bed earlier than 7pm anyway. Dinner was 6/6.30 so it wouldn't have been an issue for us.

I would quite like this time, I sometimes find weekends long and hard to fill so the last couple of hours before bedtime being entertaining without me having to do too much would work for me!

We gave been to to a couple of parties in this time slot. No issues at all, and actually worked out well for our schedule.

My DD works at a soft play; they close at 6.30 including Sunday. I think the last party booking is 5pm so they definitely do them.

It depends on the child though. At that age DD would have been fine. She was never a 12 hour sleeper and was rarely asleep before 8.30.

Some people might feel that firing five year olds up and funnelling sugar and e numbers into them before bed on a Sunday evening when they've got school the next day not ideal, maybe it's that angle.

It is quite possible to avoid funnelling sugar and e numbers @GoldDuster

It’s annoying but fine. We have done a few and it’s too close to bedtime on a school night but we didn't moan and obvs attended.‘sometimes can’t be helped

Ours were.
It would have been a no thank you from us.
Saturday would work not Sunday before a school day.

My DD is summer born would be fine with that on a Sunday but likely not on a school night as she is emotional and overtired after a school day. She would likely try to fall asleep on the way home but that wouldn't put me off attending the party. Maybe pop some bits in the party bag that can keep them entertained in the car after the party.

I would be fine with a 4-6 party. And if it’s not ideal for certain people they can just either decline the invite or suck it up and get on with it. But it’s not you with the problem, it’s them.

I would really like that. I hate 4-6pm we call it the dead zone and our kids watch too much tv. As long as he’s in bed by 7-7:30 I’m happy

Sounds fine to me

As long as you're giving them dinner I would be perfectly happy for my 4.5 year old to go (provided we are local) - it still allows time for a quick bath etc and in bed by 8pm.

Is it school party? If so could you pop a poll on the WhatsApp chat to see whose available before you go ahead?

This is definitely what I’m worried about!

I wouldn’t have minded that as long as you’re going to feed them!

I personally think it’s a bit too late for a Sunday but if it was a good friend I would let my kid go. The only thing with afternoon birthday parties for me is that it ruins your whole day in the respect you can’t really do anything before or after. At least 4pm is at the end of the day so people can still go out for the day if they want. I definitely prefer a morning party but that’s just my preference.

Well that’s incredibly rude. Soft play parties in my area are £20 per child. I would be pissed off if you accepted which potentially prevented another child from coming and then you decide on the day your kid can’t handle it and fake an illness. As a parent you know whether it’s too disruptive or not to your child’s schedule so either accept with the intention or going or decline from the offset. Parents with your attitude, really irritate me. No thought for other people spending money on your children!

That’s a really good idea!