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 go because I believe in going to any parties we’re invited to (as I know my son would be crushed if people didn’t go to his). I would be really irritated and think the person organising it was a bit weird and/or dim though. It’s obviously not a good time for 5-6 year olds to be getting all excited and bouncing off the walls.

I’m not opposed to keeping my child out late for special occasions, to be clear. He stays up very late if it’s for a good reason. But there’s just not any reason for a kids party to be this late, hence the irritation.

We did this for DS1's 5th birthday. It was great! Everyone came. People seemed to enjoy it. I didn't hear any complaining 🤷🏻‍♀️

I definitely wouldn’t take my 5 year old to soft play at that time. They would be too wired to go to sleep afterwards.

It is late but if not on school night it would be ok for my 5 yo. Is there an early option? Where we’ve had soft play party the ‘exclusive’ party use is usually 9-10.30 and 5.30-7

I would come. Assuming it was local and didn’t have a long journey home I’d do it. I’d rather that slot to 9am.

I might emphasise on the invite something like, ‘appreciate it’s a later slot, the children will be fed and we’ll try to limit to sugar highs’

I notice you’ve said you’re anxious about it, but honestly that won’t help, it’ll just make you stressed (said as a fellow over worrier). If they can’t change the slot go ahead and have a great time. Some won’t come but some won’t come whenever you book it, there is never a perfect time.

If you really want to invite everyone, why not do a traditional village hall type party in the middle of the afternoon, with bouncy castle etc That’s what most of DS’s party invites were in Reception/Y1.

Personally, the later time wouldn’t be an issue because DS has always been later to bed, but the few late parties in our year for R/Y1 weren’t as well attended.

Can I just say @Odinsdottir, you sound lovely and very mindful of others.

Yes if there was food and cocktails

I'd take my 6yr old. Home in bed for 8ish, np

Ill be honest, my heart used to sink when we got invites for parties starting after say 3pm.

Late parties just means its hard to do anything before or after and youre just waiting around all day to go which was a bit of a day ruiner for me.

I wouldnt decline but id be secretly a bit pissed off all day at it being such a strange time (for me) 😬

My kid is a slave to routine and bath is 6 and bed is 7.

I'd rather earlier and lose exclusive use.

Thank you all for your opinions/help and taking the time to comment.
I have an update,
So.. I have called the soft play venue and asked if I can change either the time of the party, and keep it on the same day and at-least try to keep the exclusive package to include everyone.
Or even change the day and time of the party if that was an option. As I really don’t mind being flexible about the day/time if it means accommodating everyone.
The lady was lovey and very helpful, and clearly understood things like this can happen.
As it stands: The venue unfortunately only allows exclusive parties after the working hours, so the exclusive is out.
But I do have a slight win out of it, as I have opted for the shared venue, so the general public will be there, but I haven’t lost my deposit which I see as a small win.
The time is now 2-4pm,
I pray to god that’s more acceptable for people?
I haven’t had to pay extra fortunately, and what I have paid for with the exclusive package can cover ’up to 20 children’ which means some very difficult decisions are going to be being made by my son.
I’ll be honest, the thought of handing over 20 invites to the teacher knowing only 9 children won’t receive one is kind of breaking my heart a bit.
I really don’t want to be a reason for contention between the children or parents/carers.
I can TRY my best to save as much as I can from now until the date and hope fully have enough to invite everyone?
But I’ll be honest that is going to be hard as I’m a bit worse off for having to pay for the dcs toys.
I have genuinely tried my best and I hope it’s going to be good enough, for my son his friends and parents/carers.
What are your opinions on the matter?

We went to one at this age that was 6-8 at a soft play and it was fine. We actually got out LOs changed into pjs before we left and they went straight to bed when we got in!

Sounds good OP!

Sounds like a better option. However, I’d be surprised if the teacher agrees to hand out invites if you’re not inviting the whole class. Do you have parents numbers to do it yourself?

Invite everyone. Plenty won't be able to make it anyway. If you really go over 20 RSVPing yes then just pay for their entry and food seperately. No drama.

Our softplay does their exclusive hire the same time. We've been to one or two parties at that time. It didn't bother us as it was a Fri or Sat night. One late night isn't going to be the end of the world.
The parties we went to were well attended as well. Not just a few kids turning up. I think they were around 5-6 years, no older than that- Reception and Year 1.

I would invite half the class so 15 children and then the other 5 could be your friends’ children etc.

I wouldn't mind that on a Saturday.
Especially as it's an exclusive hire, they're usually late.

2-4pm is a way better time.
Can you not pay for any extras? Seems odd that you’d be limited to 20 if the venue is open to the public or do you mean that money is tight and you’re not sure if you can afford more? I would definitely count on not everyone accepting the invite and I would have thought if you invite the full class of 30 you’d only get 20ish anyway. Even more so the later you leave it to invite people. But if it’s a fixed line for you then invite 15 from school so it’s half the school, all the boys might be easy if he can’t choose or doesn’t have a fixed best friend yet, and if you feel inclined to make it up to the 20 to get your money’s worth then add family friends/friends from outside of school.

Wouldn't have been an issue for us but DD never went to bed super early

I think quite a few kids that age might go to bed at about 6pm. Especially If it's dark. So they would be too excited etc if they went even for a short time, to get to bed at the usual time. That might put a few people off.

Sorry op. You should have just left it. Kids would have come. Anyone who refuses to budge on bedtime routine is ridiculously too rigid and now you are leaving 9 children out.
Thats really sad.

Too late. I wouldn’t use my Saturday nights for a kids party. They will be home and full of sugar. At that age mine were in bed by 7.30

Too late, usually you would run 3:30pm-5:30pm, so play party games/ have an entertainer 3:30pm-4:30pm, then sit kids to eat 4:30pm, then cake 5pm, then party bags at 5:30pm. I’d probably have declined the invite, but don’t recall ever receiving an invite for a kids party early evening.