Party Time for 5/6 Year olds

[TiredHippo]

It's my Dd's Birthday at the end of the month, looking to book a play area that she really wants to go to. On a week day, you can have more kids for the same price as the weekend. The closest day to her Borthday that hadn't been booked up yet is on a Monday, at either 4:00 or 6:00. I don't know which time to pick for the best, they finish school at 3:00, so parents would be rushing to get back, to get their kids changed and get to the Venue, which in most part, is probably only a ten minute drive, but if I book the 6:00 one, I feel they'll just be waiting around and it's 90 minutes of play with food and drinks, but that's a 7:30 finish, plus they'll have school in the morning. I've never done a party at a venue before, they've always been home ones, and I'm not sure what to do for the best.

I'd probably just go for the weekend. There will probably be a number of kids with parents at work who won't be able to make it. There's also clubs to negotiate around.

For my family the later party would be better but it would depend on work and extra curriculars.

4 is perfect

they will bring change of clothes

and love that keeps weekend free

and that age the 6pm would have been a flat no thanks

I wouldn't go to either slot on a week night. 4pm marginally better but 99% of the time wouldn't be possible.

Have it on the weekend, I doubt you'll get more kids wanting to come on a Monday!

If you can't do the weekend I would choose 6. A significant amount of children won't be being picked up from school at 3pm unless you're in an area with a lot of stay at home parents so that will mean they won't have any chance of attending so having more kids midweek is pointless if lots can't actually attend.

Aaaaahhhh, see, this is why I'm no good at this stuff. I didn't want to do it on a weekend as it's the same times 4:00/6:00, and I know people make plans and didn't want to get in the middle of them. But at the same time, kids have after school clubs and not every parent finishes early and would be able to able it, plus there's bed times to consider and then kids getting hungry before 6:00. Saturday is her actual Birthday, and I don't think the 6:00 time slot has been booked, it's five less kids in the same price, so if we were to invite and extra five, it'd be £45 on top, but I'm also aware there could be no shows anyway. I really don't know what to do for the best.

Parties are always at weekends here. Lots of parents don't do pickups until after school club, or they pick up and run to activities. If there are siblings, the other parent can look after them on a weekend so one parent can stay at the party - not possible on a weeknight for most working parents.

Just had a quick check, the Saturday is 5:30, not 6:00, that's not too bad is it???? A bit of an earlier finish, no need to be up for school in the a.m, most parents would be able to make it without interfering with too much of their weekend???? 😬😬😬

At that age DD has supper at 1700 and bath at 1800. Otherwise she's a nighmare. We wouldn't go to a late party full stop and mid week 1600 would be impossible as she's at afterschool club

5.30 on a Saturday is absolutely fine although 6 would she also been fine for kids that age.

Just invite the limit that is allowed, you don't have to invite everyone. However if you are doing that I'd invite from a range of places so it isn't just 5 missing it from school. So whoever she is close to at any extra curriculars. Any cousins etc.

Also, you and your DD are allowed to take up space / time in other people's lives. Don't worry on encroaching on their weekend - it's what weekends are for at that age. Spending time with friends celebrating a birthday. I'd say an evening slot would be fine. As lots of children or their siblings will have dance or swimming lessons etc on a Saturday morning.

4 on Saturday is fine, that's standard party time here. We haven't had any as late as 5:30 but would probably go with it as a one off. She'd be shattered though,I wouldn't want a load of hyper and exhausted 5/6yos to deal with at the party!

We wouldn't do a Monday because of work.

Saturday definitely. Weekday parties unless during school holidays will inevitably result in kids being unable to attend.

Parties at the weekend are the norm, though I think 6pm on any day is late for a 5/6 year olds party. I’d be fine with the 4pm weekday one assuming we were free. I would possibly just check with the children you plan to invite. If everyone’s parents work til 5pm or have older children playing sports or in cubs, it won’t work. If it’s a crowd of mostly SAHP without siblings to run to activities, then should be fine.

4pm Saturday is ok. 5:30 would be a no from me.

5:30 to start a party is too late at that age, 4pm is better but generally parties we go to are earlier. Always weekend even though lots of part time or stay at home parents at our school.

5.30 on a Saturday would be 100% fine for us.