Soft play party 6-8pm

[Needtoyoga]

Trying to book a party for my son’s 3rd party. Have been back and forth on a few options. Trying to find something my son will enjoy and accommodate adult family and keep everyone fed.

Currently exploring holding a party at a really good soft play venue (clean, good play set up, parking). For exclusive access the party times are 6-8pm.

My initial thoughts were no, that’s too late for kids my sons age and he does usually sleep 7.30/8 on a normal day but if he does nap by accident, could end up being awake until 10/11 pm. Then I considered my husbands view “if it was any other evening family party - kids would attend and participate, so why not? “.

I guess some parents/kids/routines are more flexible than others and I can see a friend not attending due to the time and family members being petty ok with going with the flow.

Any thoughts? Would you attend with your toddler? Most kids will 3/4 years old.

Absolutely not, way too late. But then I wouldn't take my kids to an adult evening party either. Bedtime is bedtime. The latest end to a party at the age of 3 would be 4 or 5pm. Sorry.

Sorry, not a chance. We went to a soft play party the other week that was 4pm-6pm and that was pushing it for the 4/5 year olds. The children are so tired (and hot) by the end of it and there are always tears etc that I think it would be a nightmare.

Also, I don't know a single adult who likes being at a soft play party. They're horrendous!

No way, sorry. DD would be so tired her behaviour would be hellish (or she just wouldn’t enjoy it).

Absolutely no way.

Even if plenty of people come, it will be full of overtired cranky kids. Not fun for anyone.

My nephews 5th party was soft play at 6-8pm. My dd7 was really grumpy for it as were a lot of the other kids. Barely any food too so hungry afterwards.

Not a chance. It would be full of screaming overtired toddlers.

No we wouldn't go at that time. My toddler doesn't nap unless I'm the car and there's a good chance he would nap on the way to the party (which would be awkward waking him up) and possibly on the way home too. 8 pm is past his bedtime.

I’d say a 6pm finish at the latest for that age group.

Lol. No.

No way. Just too late. You will have a party full of crying tired toddlers

There must be somewhere else that can accommodate the party at a reasonable time?

Yeh good point, although I will have family travelling a couple of hours so kids will prob sleep in the car beforehand

Absolutely way too late, I would imagine you'd have lots of grumpy little kids on your hands.

Sorry no way. That's far too late. I wouldn't go later than 6pm.

Absolutely not. We had a similar invite, think it was 5-7pm, for my Year 1 child - no chance. Politely declined. I’ll be amazed if anyone goes. Sorry OP!

You don't need exclusive use of the softplay. It's normal for birthday parties to be going on during the normal opening hours. They usually have a separate space or room for where the party attendees can gather to sit down, eat, drink, chat etc. away from everyone else who happens to be at softplay that day.

I've been to many parties like this.

Yeh we have a few options for exclusive access but the soft play set up is the best here.

Absolutely not, and I'd say we're pretty flexible. 4-6pm would be the latest invitation we'd accept for DS (5).

Not a hope. Even a six o'clock finish would've bordered on too late for mine - anything post 5pm risked an overtired mess.

Would’ve been way too late for us when my kids were 3-4, sorry

No. Even 4-6 is too late. I’d never take my 4 year old to one that starts later

I thought you were going to say they were 9/10! Sorry I wouldn't accept an invite so late for my DD and she's nearly 5.

It doesn't need to be exclusive access though does it? None of the gazillion soft play parties we've been to have been.

And spare the adult family members from soft play hell, invite them to the house for cake after/a different day! Only those who currently own a small child should have soft play inflicted on them.