Would you say this is ‘too late’ for a kids party?

[Odinsdottir]

I’ve just been scrolling on mn to find some great ideas for my son’s birthday party and ways to make it special and memorable for everyone.
I’ve come across a bit of information that has me a bit worried..so someone mentioned in another thread it might be ‘too late’ for some children to attend, I’d just like to gain some opinions.
The party is on a Saturday from 5pm- 7pm and it’s for 5-6yo year one children and a few out of school friends who are slightly older.
I wouldn’t mind if people left early- that’s completely their choice.
But I am worried this will put parents off bringing their children completely.
My question is, would you go? Or would the time not be appropriate? Thank you, from a very panicky mum!!

I’d make an effort to take my child but would privately be a bit irritated. Parties for this age should be over by 5.30, IMO, unless it’s a whole family event

Yeah that is pretty late for that age group. People don’t want hyper sugar filled kids at that time of night. Is it the only option?

I think at that age it’ll vary, we declined a 5-7pm party when my DC was 6 because she couldn’t cope with staying up later than her bedtime which was 7pm. Lots did go from the class although it ran on late and ended up with some very tired children. Are you feeding them? I’d be more inclined to go if they’d get some kind of meal as then we could just head home, quick wash and into bed.

Thank you for your opinions, it’s greatly appreciated and will be taken into consideration.
It is booked and paid for at the moment, but I’ll be honest if it’s not going to agree with other parents schedules of children’s bedtimes I will not hesitate to change it and be at a bit of a loss of losing the ‘booking fee’.
My do doesn’t seem to think there will be a problem, but I myself am very worried after reading a few men thread in a similar vein.

Sorry silly spelling mistake, my dp doesn’t see a problem, and I’m worried after reading up on people having a similar problem with the timing etc

If I knew for sure that it would include a filling and sensible meal for my dc, and was close to home and not a school night, then fine. but as his bedtime was 7pm at that age it would be difficult to feed him and get him to bed otherwise

Too late.

We once had to have one this time as a month each way was booked out. Cue little comments from everyone who came and two didn’t. I will say bedtime wasn’t a walk in a park that night, Id say if you have any other options go for it

The children would be fed, they’d receive birthday cake and party bags. But I’ll be honest I don’t think that’s going to be enough to ‘sway’ parents into coming.
I was also thinking of putting a tab on the cafe for parents/carers to get tea,coffee. But if no-one is going to come there would be no point.
i just keep thinking of my child feeling sad because no-one shown up to his party, and I’ll be honest it’s breaking my heart.
I would gladly change the times (if that’s a possible with the venue) and lose out.

Is there a reason it's so late? I'd go but I'd probably be a bit annoyed about it. If it's a church hall, bouncy castle type party I'd think it was late but if it was a different activity I might think differently. If they were a few years older it would be fine too

We would go but my kids are a bit later to bed than most - I’d personally think it was a bit late.

Perfectly fine time. We are normally having dinner around then anyway and there's no school to get up for the next day. My kids would love it. Early morning parties are far worse.

My child went to a party around that time probably slightly older though.. I think around 7/ 8 years old, it was pizza and a movie and I think it's a great idea, parents could get an early dinner while the child is at the party if they don't have other children it would be like a date 😂 Id show up. People go along to family events or fairs and things in the evening so I don't see why a party would be a problem.

I’m starting to think you’re all right, it’s at softplay.
the only time they offer for an ‘exclusive party’
So I accepted (I’ll be honest- ignorantly not thinking there would be a problem with the time)
that was the only way I could invite the whole class of year 1 and not leave any child out.
It would be on a Saturday if that made any bit of difference? But I doubt it..yes I think I might be cutting my losses and either finding a different venue, or choosing an earlier time slot (if they have any) but that way it wouldn’t be ‘exclusive’ and the children would have to share with the public. I think I have a big choice to make

It’s on the later side although I feel like
4:30-6:30 would be fine so I don’t think it’s too bad. I’d rsvp yes…

Wouldn’t have bothered us even younger than that because mine were not early to bed children, definitely owls then and still owls as adults. Later than 7.30 would be my limit.

I'd go but we've never been slaves to bedtimes/naps and our children seem to cope better than some of their friends do to a change in routine. We definitely know some children who become less fun to be around after about 5pm!

If I'm being brutally honest, my thoughts would be 'what time? Ridiculous! Dinner/bath!bedtime. Saturday Night? Lots of overtired kids. that'll muck up Sunday. Great🙄

BUT as my child would enjoy it & I wouldn't want the Birthday Child not have people come I'd bring DC, slap on a smile & you'd never know how I'd reacted. 💁🏻‍♀️

I think if you can change it, that would be for the best.

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest but we don't really have strict routines and our children adapt to activities etc.

I have a 6 year old and I’d be considering not taking my child. Bed time is 7pm in our house and with a sugar fuelled over tired child it would a nightmare evening.
4-6 would be slightly more acceptable but 3-5 preferred

Thank you both all very much, I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know. I feel so stupid for not taking the time of the party into consideration especially when I’m a be try anxious person and I overthink everything!
I have spoken to dp and after showing him your opinions on the matter, I think we’ll be changing it.
Either to a new venue and loosing the deposit, or changing the time to an earlier slot and not having an ‘exclusive’ party (and still loosing the deposit) which I really don’t mind about as it was completely my mistake.
The last thing I want is people to be silently seething because all the children are unruly (due to the sugar and high energy) or my child to be upset because no-one came.

If your DC was one of DC’s better friends, I’d swear inwardly and suck it up.

If it wasn’t a close friend, we’d be ‘busy’ at that time, especially on a weekend, sorry.

As long as it was very local I’d RSVP a yes. By 6 mine have had a bedtime more like 7:45pm to be asleep for 8. Even with an earlier bedtime then mine had, most kids can handle an hour or so later to bed on the weekend as a one off.

I’d be a bit shocked by the choice of time though, it’s not something I’ve actually come across IRL.

Thank you for specifying in relation to the timing, that really helps.
I will be on the phone to the venue tomorrow morning asap to see what they can do.
I do feel slightly better knowing I’m going to be doing the right thing for other people and I’m not just being unreasonably anxious. I most definitely don’t want anyone being put out because of me making a silly mistake.

My 4 year old goes to bed at 8pm and to be honest will happily go until 9pm if there is no school the next day. I wouldn't have a problem with the time.