What's the best time-slot for 5 yo birthday party?

[MrsBojangles]

My dd's 5th birthday party is coming up and I'm doing the mad thing... holding it at home. Wondering about best time slot though... have entertainer coming who will need to set up and she'll do 2h programme.

11-13 that seems to be the norm going by all of dd's little friends at school. However, then I'll have a hectic morning getting everything ready after preparing the night before.

Any experience with later starts?

Cheers from one slightly panicked mother

At the moment the ones DD have been too have been either 10:30-12:30, 3-5 or 4:00-6pm. Not had one starddling dinner time yet.

I think the 10:30 ones must be a bit of a planning nightmare if doing own food, etc.

Think we did 3-5pm last year and that worked out quite well.

I personally prefer late afternoon - 3.30-5.30 but DS has been to them at all times from 10-12 right through to 4.30-6.30.

I'd avoid any mealtimes, then you won't have to feel you need to give them too much food, just the usual party-type stuff. I'd go for 3-5pm, maybe 2-4pm, but others may disagree. Good luck! They're very stressful, aren't they.

3pm - 5pm or maybe 3.30 - 5.30 is correct I think you'll find.

DD went to one the other week from 2pm to 3.30pm. What meal was that they were eating at 3pm then? Most bizarre.

Jackieno surely the point is to have them hungry then they will eat some of the food which takes up half an hour?

dd just got an invite for a party 11-13 but that includes 'junk food' lunch.

1500-1700 sounds tempting. Will be on the first Friday in the school holidays. They break up Wednesday I think.

Clary, I suppose there is that. But then you have to provide 'lunch' rather than a party tea, which I'd feel I'd have to make much more effort with.

Oh jackieno, what's the difference then??

party tea??? Is that a euphomism for lots of sausage rolls, mini pizzas, biscuits and cakes?

I'd feel obliged to give them something more substantial for lunch, but just sandwiches, cakes, biscuits etc for tea. Now that I'm writing it down, it doesn't really make much sense. But I think it's the feeling that they ought to have a 'proper meal', possibly including something hot if it was lunch time. But actually that's not really necessary, is it. Sorry, rambling now....

oh I just do sarnies, salad bits, crisps, sausages, then biscuits, cakes, strawberries, raspberries and grapes. whatever time it is.

Actually the good thing about lunch time parties is that the kids are usually hungry at 12.30pm (as opposed to 3pm!) and will genuinely sit down and eat IME.

And it's all done and home by 3pm.

Bit of a ball-ache to get ready in the am tho.

morning finishing wiht lunch imo

All aprties we have been too, outside of softplay, has been party food regardless of time: sandwiches, veg sticks, sausage rolls, crisps, cakes, biscuits, etc.

ok so now I know what kind of food to make but still not sure re timing LOL

we did DS1's 4th party from 12-2pm so they were actually hungry at 1pm and all sat down and ate lunch.

Other good times is 3-5 or maybe 4-6 so they eat. Would prefer it if my DSs went ot a party at a meal time rather than faffing about whther they'd had enough tea or whatever

I agree, it makes more sense to me to have the party straddling a meal time. I refer to try and d it so the food part is towards the end of the party, in last 30 minutes or so.

Exactly hula that is why I like 3.30-5.30.

Given a choice I usually organise for 11 am till 1 pm

DD's party was around that time last year Bozza, and will be again next year.

just wondering whether a bunch of 5 year olds might not get a bit tired & testy 1600 onwards... decision decisions

i dont think any 5 years old are going to get tired when they have loads of sweets and friends around them - well not any we know anyway.

Hi Folks,

As a professional face painter, and dealing with other professional entertainers on a regular basis, I would strongly recommend that, if you are considering engaging an entertainer, you try to avoid the weekend totally. If this is not possible then seriously consider the evening.

Good professional entertainers, particularly at this time of year, are in high demand for corporate work. In order to attend a mid afternoon party the entertainer cannot take on a full day engagement at store, for example. Result: the cost for a good entertainer is astronomical.

My rate for a party during the week, or in the evening at the weekend is less than half my weekend rate.

Remember, you get what you pay for. If the entertainer is cheap at the weekends then they are not in demand. If they are not in demand then there must be a reason. Always check for Public Liability Insurance and proof of CRB check (England/Wales or Disclosure Scotland check.

Lorna xxx

I think you need to pay for an add Coolcat rather than trying to tag a plug for your business onto any vaguely relevant thread here!!!!!!!!