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Parties/celebrations

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Original poster

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

122 replies

Odinsdottir · 27/10/2025 21:55

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!! Confused

OP posts:
CarterBeatsTheDevil · 27/10/2025 22:27

I'd go, but my kid has been a later than average sleeper and a later than average riser all her life so it wouldn't have disrupted our bedtime.

Hattieandcake · 27/10/2025 22:27

I think it’s too late for a non family event that age - plus have to entertain them the whole day ourselves and then rock up at 5pm which is usually wind down time over weekends - then try and get them settled which will end up being about 9.30 after hyperness / bath etc.

YellowCrayola · 27/10/2025 22:28

FWIW I definitely don’t think you need exclusive hire for soft play parties. The kids don’t care at all as long as their mates are there. I’ve never been to a soft play party when it’s been otherwise closed to the public.

dreamersdown · 27/10/2025 22:30

It’s a bit late. My almost 6 year old probably needs more sleep than others though - she’s usually asleep by 7.15 so I’d worry that she’d be an over tired and emotional kid at the party itself. Also it depends where the venue is - is it close to most of the kids’ house, or are parents going to have to contend with kids dropping off in the car on the way home?

tpmumtobe · 27/10/2025 22:31

We'd have to decline. DS had a 7pm bedtime at that age, plus we had a toddler to deal with too. Even if it was a Fri/Sat night it would have been too disruptive and we'd be paying the price for days after, just not worth it.

Jamfirstest · 27/10/2025 22:32

I have to say my kids would have been so impressed with an exclusive hire of soft play!! As long as it wasn’t far from home I don’t think I’d mind the time as long as they are eating.probably lay out the pjs before we go - straight into bed when we get home and plan a nice take away for dp and me!

Dery · 27/10/2025 22:32

As this thread shows, this would bother some parents and not others (it would actually have suited us well because our DDs were never early sleepers). That said, i wouldn’t expect any parent to be seething with anger over this - that would be disproportionate on any reckoning. But some parents would perhaps be a bit irritated. In any case, do what makes you feel more comfortable.

Original poster
Odinsdottir · 27/10/2025 22:33

Thank you very much.
You do make a very good point, I personally wouldn’t like to be asked every 5 mins ‘when is x’s party’ all day long until 5..Then ontop of that have to go to said party.
It does sound quite unreasonable when you put it like that.
I totally understand all your opinions and I really appreciate you all taking the time to comment.
I think to keep the majority happy I’ll gladly change the timing.
Ill be honest- because we’re inviting the whole mod year 1 (28 children) I though it would be a lot easier than just inviting half the class and having mums give me ‘the look’ at the school gates. Sad

OP posts:
Catsandcwtches · 27/10/2025 22:34

It wouldn’t make any difference to my 5 yo bedtime. It might actually help tire her out (probably wishful thinking)

frumpy84 · 27/10/2025 22:37

It would piss me off but mine are 3 and 1

SparkyBlue · 27/10/2025 22:38

That’s Saturday night chill out and treats time for us and I’d be raging to be missing strictly. I do think it’s a very awkward time but as a once off I’d go but 5pm in the winter we are nearly in our pjs. We don’t have a bedtime for the DC on Saturday so that side of it wouldn’t bother me but it’s an awkward time as depending on distance/traffic etc it could be almost 7.30ish or later getting home.

Original poster
Odinsdottir · 27/10/2025 22:40

To elaborate to a previous poster, it would take most parents/carers around 15-20 minutes to travel to the venue, which is putting me off even more.
The thought of a very energetic 5-6 at 7:00pm, then has to get home which will take up to another 20 mins, then have to do their teeth get ready for bed and any other routine children need (their are some SN children being invited)
I just don’t want to make life harder than usual for anyone.

OP posts:
onwards2025 · 27/10/2025 22:45

Mine aren't early to bed but that time is too late for year 1 children, there would be so many meltdowns you are doing the right thing changing it - just don't move it too early, we've had quite a few 9.30 or 10am Sunday parties and they are painful too

Sometimeswinning · 27/10/2025 22:50

Wouldn’t occur to me to be an issue. I’ve been to discos with my kids around the same age. Trick or treating. Family parties.

I guess people are far more rigid with routine than I am! Or I’ve been very lucky with my 3 children.

MumChp · 27/10/2025 22:52

I would be too late here for year 1. I would say a politely no.

We struggled in year 1 with Girl Guides ending at 6.30 pm. Our LO is simply tired at 6 pm.

LuckyNumberFive · 27/10/2025 22:56

I'm not a single parent but have been in the past. If I had younger children and no partner (or they were working etc) I wouldn't be dragging them out to drop off/pick up an older sibling and getting back home at 7:30. My 18 month old would fall asleep with 20 mins there in the car and another 20 mins back and would be a nightmare to get back to sleep at home. Like the ultimate power nap.

If it was a one off and I had no younger kids I'd do it though. But then we aren't super strict with bedtime at the weekend, they stay up a bit later for special occasions etc. I actually think 2 hours of soft play would tire them out ready for bed!

Maybeishouldcrochet · 27/10/2025 23:01

Wouldn't bother me. Would take pjs to the venue and change her for bed/do teeth before leaving and she would sleep in the car. We do this regularly anyway (at least one sat a month).....

Original poster
Odinsdottir · 27/10/2025 23:01

Thank you all,
I’ve had a very quick scan online for other venues, and the cancellation policy of the venue I have booked. I can change it, but if I do it would be non-exclusive, so I’d have to only invite up to 10 children.
The other venues seem to have the same running theme- if you want an exclusive party (which I only need because of the amount of children we’re inviting, as I don’t want to leave anyone out.)
It seems to be after the ‘normal’ soft play hours, which is a bit strange?
I think it will have to be non-exclusive and only invite up to 10 children,
Needs must I suppose, I just pray no other parents are annoyed because their dc weren’t invited Sad

OP posts:
coxesorangepippin · 27/10/2025 23:06

It's too late

AM is better for that age group

DappledThings · 27/10/2025 23:10

Why do you need it to be exclusive just because it's a whole class invitation? I've done the whole class before at soft play during normal hours. I don't understand why that's a restriction

tipisrevenge · 27/10/2025 23:10

My child is this age and it would be a no from us, for a variety of reasons, not least because I don't want to still be out at a young kids birthday party on Saturday night!

Ryvitaandmarmite · 27/10/2025 23:17

My children are adults now but I definitely timed their parties for lunchtime/ early afternoon. It’s a long day for the birthday child to wait for party and I definitely remember witching hour after 5pm 🤦‍♀️
I hope you manage to change the time . It’s a tricky time of the year for children parties .X

Original poster
Odinsdottir · 27/10/2025 23:19

we don’t strictly have to have an exclusive party, but the reason we’d love an exclusive party over a non exclusive is just because of affordability, (well that and they only allow up to 10 children for a non exclusive party) so I would HAVE to leave other children out, and let’s be honest…Can you imagine the muttered comments and looks from other parents/carers at drop off and pick up at school whose children weren’t invited?
Im assuming they do the exclusive after a regular day of customers to be able to accommodate the regular customers and for them not to be put out.
Im currently looking elsewhere for anywhere that will be able to accommodate.
Luckily thank god, I do have a moderate amount of time to rectify my stupid mistake.

OP posts:
elliejjtiny · 27/10/2025 23:19

My cousin had a birthday party at a soft play and that was the only time they did parties. He was turning 7 and i took my 3 dc who were 5, 3 and a baby. We found the timings ok.

QuickPeachPoet · 27/10/2025 23:24

We would be there with bells on OP.