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.

I am in awe of a soft play even opening that late!! I feel like my little corner of the uk is on a different planet at times.

Sorry I would say 5pm would be the latest to finish, the latest party DD went to at that age finished at 4 and most of the parents had left by the end. We recently had a party in our local park and that worked really well.

No I wouldn't bring my 3 yo. Its way too late. And she would have been wound up to bits then and a nightmare to try to get to sleep.

Doesn't need to be exclusive hire, if you want soft play just do it earlier with other parties.

I think they're too young for that age. My 5year old struggled with that time last year.

Not a chance. It's a party for a 3 year old, not an adult party that some children get invited to, and their parents decide whether the pain of keeping them up is worth attending the multi generational party. No way I'd keep a 3 year old up for a friend's birthday party - if it finished at 8 then would be at least 8.30 to be home and in pj's, and who knows how long before they settle after the excitement of a soft play party.

Far too late, earlier the better for us.

Nah. Finishing any later than 5 is pushing it at that age IMO. Preferred time for that sort of thing is 10am.

A soft play party is for kids, not the adults in the family

Of course not

It would be a definite no from me.

Awful time

Lots of tired grumpy cranky 3/4yrs

I’m amazed they even offer parties at that time. I would decline, it’s far too late for my 5 yr old, let alone a 4 yr old.

Do they not do a morning/lunch party time

Not with exclusive access which is what we'd like

Good lord no, especially if family have to travel 2 hours back after.

Really do anything but this as a plan.

No.

Bad idea.

I think I've decided on this lol! I tell my husband we need to revert to plan b!

Also I've never been to any party with exclusive access and it didn't make the party any less special.

Yeh it's the first party we are hosting for my child and it's a preference we have, as we are inviting a lot of family/adults too.

I wouldn’t book soft play for a 3rd birthday full stop. All the parties I’ve been to at soft play for this sort of age range (I have a just turned 4 year old) just haven’t worked. They all lose each other instantly in the equipment, they are all too hyped and they burn out too quickly. I think at this age a church hall with games, balloons and party food works better and is often cheaper.

If you are inviting a lot of adults why not do two different things? Soft play for his friends, at a sensible time, and a cheese and wine/ cake and tea for adults? At that age I often did a party for nursery friends usually at home with party games and buffet, and birthday tea for the children of my close friends who were more like cousins / family for my DC, and if we saw extended family near birthdays tea and cake with them.

This is a recipe for disaster and I’d decline an invite to a party at this time for a 3 year old.

I’m sorry but everything about this sounds horrendous. I’ve never met an adult that likes soft play. Winding 3yrs old up at bedtime sounds a recipe for disaster and the parents don’t even get to have some nice drinks and snacks and chat.

Hire a church hall and get a mobile soft play company to set up in it. Much better for that age group, and easier to cater for the adults without toddlers too.

Nah, it's definitely too late.

In my experience, everyone holds parties at 11 or 12. It's nice to get them out of the way early in the morning rather than hanging around all day waiting for it.

The kids will all be tired and ratty at that time and it will probably result in people needing to leave early to stop their kids kicking off.

This. Don’t invite adult family members to a soft play party.