what time of day should we make a 2year olds birthday party?

[LexieH]

hi there,

we are having a party for our 2yr old on a Saturday at the moment there are 17 children coming but this includes babies and older cousins. He has local friends his age coming along with a few friends who live quite a way away.

So we are not sure whether to make it

2pm-4pm or 3pm -5pm OR (2pm-5pm)

we will be providing sandwiches, snacks (cherry toms, cucumber, carrots, falafel, sausage rolls etc), dips and cake.

We are saying family can stay for an early evening dinner and the friends who live the furthest away we will offer for them to stay for this too but still unsure of the best time considering the different distances people are coming.

Would love to know your thoughts please?

thanks :)

We did 2-4 for dd1's 2nd birthday a couple of months back, it worked well. I think 2-5 is too long!

Two hours is plenty. I' d go for 2-4, gives enough time to.calm down and have a proper meal ( if they want ) before bed.

2-4 is ideal.

I personally would go for 3-5 because children that age often still have lunchtime naps. But that's just me!

2-4!

We've just done a 3yo party, all four children still nap and it was perfect timing. We had about 45minutes presents and play then a small buffet type afternoon tea. Children then played for about twenty minutes before leaving. Plenty if time for our DD to wind down before her dinner and bed.

I'm doing one 12-2, as it's lunch time! 2-4 is a good time, but I wouldn't put food on in that case, just a few snacky bits

Two hours is fine. Either 2-4 or 3-5 would be okay.

Slightly older but we're going for 2:30-4:30. Long enough after lunch but hopefully not so late that they will be too grumpy. And gives parents time to go home and get food ready if they want to give them a proper meal.