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.

Thanks all, like I said we're going for plan B now!

My son is 2.5 and we wouldn't go to a party that late. I can't see that changing in the next year or so, especially now he's stopping his nap.

I've never been someone who's precious about the daytime routine or naptimes, but this wouldn't be something I'd do. Party ending at 8 means a bedtime of at least 9 if not later which he just wouldn't be able to handle. It's pushing it to take him to the park after dinner, nevermind expecting him to play nicely with other kids and run around a soft play.

Re suggestions for 2 separate parties for friends and family.

He doesn't really have close friends at the moment, it's mostly family we are inviting and a couple of our friends with kids which he may not have seen since he was a baby. The family adults are mainly the parents and grand parents of little kids and just one couple that don't have children and we wouldn't want to exclude them.

Most people will be travelling a couple of hours and I'm not happy just to give them a light snack and want to ensure they are fed properly.

There is a soft play cafe that offers exclusive access and cater for our needs, it's just the actual soft play bit is smaller but has space for other entertainment too. That's what will be pursuing (if the date's still available).

Thanks all!

With what you've described I think a community/village hall would be much better for you. You can hire a bouncy castle and get full use of the kitchen to cater for your guests.

Softplay would be the absolute last place I'd want to see other adults at. It smells, gets too hot and stuffy, and it's just a place of madness for most parents I know!

He doesn't really have close friends at the moment, it's mostly family we are inviting and a couple of our friends with kids which he may not have seen since he was a baby

Exclusively hiring a soft play for mostly adults is bonkers.

As pp, church hall, bouncy castle, music on and either get some food in or make yourself for the adults/

And food for the kids obv ha

Why if not many kids /his friends - would you hire a soft play

Sounds mainly adults

Exclusive or not

A Village hall or even party at yours with bouncy castle sounds more fun

The exclusive venues to do everything, so all we need to do is turn up, no set up and clearing away, no food prep. We don't have a support network near us. The place we are looking at is a small intimate cafe and have had good reviews for it from friends recently.

It’s a no from me. 90% chance my kids would have cranky melt downs at that time

Like i said earlier we are going for plan b. Exclusive cafe with soft play 2:30 start

No adult wants to go to a soft play party.
I assumed you were inviting lots of dc, when you mentioned soft play.

Just go somewhere for a meal, and all the adults there will entertain your toddler. Pick somewhere with a garden and he'll be right as rain.

I have great nephews and nieces and I'd be at being invited to a soft play, and would probably be busy that day if I were invited.

Far better

Why wasn't that a plan rather then b plan

A much better time

My lovely PIL were busting to come to DD's third birthday party at soft play - they lasted about ten minutes.

Absolutely no way! And I would be shocked to receive the invite!

My 4 year old is in bed at 7 and no way would I want to be in bloody soft play at 8pm 😂🤦‍♀️