Birthday party food time

[bumble2012]

Hi. I am looking at a gymnastics place for a 7th birthday party and they do 1 hour in the gym and 1 hour in the party room for food. I am worried that 1 hour in the party room is too long as in my experience the kids don't take that long to eat and then get restless!

Has anyone had or been to a similar party and done anything else after the food to entertain the children (e.g. when you are cutting up the cake / getting party bags ready etc).

Also, do you think an hour in the gym is long enough? Doesn't seem that long for the activity!

I'd call and ask them....if they don't then you can arrange pass the parcel or something.

I just had a 4 year olds party. Half an hour was the allocated time for food and cake and that was enough!

We had similar parties at home - an hour for an activity (pottery painting/making something - decorated treasure box/crown etc), then an hour to eat and play - so buffet food, then pass the parcel, then pudding, then pin the tail on the donkey, dance yourself stupid, musical statues, cake, parents start to turn up in the last 15 min - some kids are tired and ready to go, some want to stay til the last one goes. Sometimes 2 hours was not long enough, sometimes it was too long - depends on the mix of kids.

Remember the party room will need to be emptied by the end of the hour. Not like at home where things can linger on.

Thanks all. Turns out that the party room time is only for half an hour (apparently to include tidying up although not sure how strict they will be). I am now worrying that that is not long enough for them to eat, "do" the cake, cut the cake and put it into party bags and then for everyone to leave. In your experience is that enough time? Do I need to do anything to keep the kids occupied whilst cutting up the cake as this may take 10 mins or so?

Well, it wouldn't hurt to have some music available so, if you find you have 10 mins and the troops are getting restless, one of you can have a quick burst of musical statues or something if you feel it is needed. Nothing lost if it isn't needed though.