Page 5 | Would you say this is ‘too late’ for a kids party?

Odinsdottir · 2025-10-27T21:55:16+00:00

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]

pIum · 28/10/2025 15:47

DiscoBob · 28/10/2025 12:00

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.

I sometimes feel like I live in a different planet on MN. Everyone I know works - not in big city jobs but in what I'd consider pretty child-friendly market town careers - and picks children up from after-school club or grandparents about 5 or half 5. No one is getting those children into bed for 6! So I can't imagine they'd go to bed that time on a weekend. And I certainly wouldn't be worrying about bathing a child after a Saturday night party as some pps mentioned. I can't imagine living my life with so little flexibility to never do anything after about 5pm on a Saturday. We're very often with friends til about 7.30pm and just pop the children in the car in their pyjamas if necessary.

LuckyNumberFive · 28/10/2025 15:49

pIum · 28/10/2025 15:47

I sometimes feel like I live in a different planet on MN. Everyone I know works - not in big city jobs but in what I'd consider pretty child-friendly market town careers - and picks children up from after-school club or grandparents about 5 or half 5. No one is getting those children into bed for 6! So I can't imagine they'd go to bed that time on a weekend. And I certainly wouldn't be worrying about bathing a child after a Saturday night party as some pps mentioned. I can't imagine living my life with so little flexibility to never do anything after about 5pm on a Saturday. We're very often with friends til about 7.30pm and just pop the children in the car in their pyjamas if necessary.

Show quote history

I agree with this. In my very average circle most people finish work at 5, back home with the kids around 5:30/5:45. Then we crack on with cooking/eating tea, reading and homework, bit of playing, then bath and bed. 8pm is much more usual here. I'd never see my kids if they were asleep by 6pm, I don't finish work til 5.

Bitzee · 28/10/2025 15:53

pIum · 28/10/2025 15:47

I sometimes feel like I live in a different planet on MN. Everyone I know works - not in big city jobs but in what I'd consider pretty child-friendly market town careers - and picks children up from after-school club or grandparents about 5 or half 5. No one is getting those children into bed for 6! So I can't imagine they'd go to bed that time on a weekend. And I certainly wouldn't be worrying about bathing a child after a Saturday night party as some pps mentioned. I can't imagine living my life with so little flexibility to never do anything after about 5pm on a Saturday. We're very often with friends til about 7.30pm and just pop the children in the car in their pyjamas if necessary.

Show quote history

Agree! And even if you don’t work what about older siblings? No brownies or anything that goes on past 7pm that the younger ones have to fit in around?? I still wouldn’t want to be in a soft play on a Saturday night but that has nothing to do with bedtime…

Blondeshavemorefun · 28/10/2025 17:58

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).....

This. It’s a one off. Saturday night so no school next day

and yes mini blondes at that age was in bed at 7 but would take pjs and have a wee before leave and try and keep her awake till home but if not then carry and dump her to bed

no diff to me for the other weekend. She’s now 8.5. Bed by 730. Loves her sleep

Left family at 8. Home 830 and. Zonked in car so half carried half walked her up Stairs and straight to bed

it’s the odd night. Not every Saturday for a hobby that would be a no from me

DiscoBob · 28/10/2025 18:19

pIum · 28/10/2025 15:47

I sometimes feel like I live in a different planet on MN. Everyone I know works - not in big city jobs but in what I'd consider pretty child-friendly market town careers - and picks children up from after-school club or grandparents about 5 or half 5. No one is getting those children into bed for 6! So I can't imagine they'd go to bed that time on a weekend. And I certainly wouldn't be worrying about bathing a child after a Saturday night party as some pps mentioned. I can't imagine living my life with so little flexibility to never do anything after about 5pm on a Saturday. We're very often with friends til about 7.30pm and just pop the children in the car in their pyjamas if necessary.

Show quote history

Sorry, maybe 7pm then not 6. Not that I'm saying they should go to bed that early. I just thought some did.

ApplesinmyPocket · 28/10/2025 22:02

Only on MN are early bedtimes so worshipped the whole rhythm of family life has to pause for the 6.30 bed routine to be adhered to.

By the way the 'sugar rush', 'sugar high' thing has been largely debunked.

YouMightLikeCats · 28/10/2025 23:00

ApplesinmyPocket · 28/10/2025 22:02

Only on MN are early bedtimes so worshipped the whole rhythm of family life has to pause for the 6.30 bed routine to be adhered to.

By the way the 'sugar rush', 'sugar high' thing has been largely debunked.

Not sure what you mean - that people only claim on MN posts to stick to bedtimes but in real life they don't?

tipisrevenge · 29/10/2025 13:11

ApplesinmyPocket · 28/10/2025 22:02

Only on MN are early bedtimes so worshipped the whole rhythm of family life has to pause for the 6.30 bed routine to be adhered to.

By the way the 'sugar rush', 'sugar high' thing has been largely debunked.

I don't give a shit about bedtimes, but when I've worked and travelled all week, I'm not giving up my Saturday evening for a 5 year old's party.

FlorenceAgainstTheMachine · 29/10/2025 15:21

ApplesinmyPocket · 28/10/2025 22:02

Only on MN are early bedtimes so worshipped the whole rhythm of family life has to pause for the 6.30 bed routine to be adhered to.

By the way the 'sugar rush', 'sugar high' thing has been largely debunked.

Bedtime is part of the rhythm of family life. I’d rather not have a grumpy kid to deal with if I can help it, and a good night’s sleep mitigates that. My kid also isn't the sort who’ll go to bed late and sleep later in the morning. So yeah, I’ll be sacking off a late party PDQ.

Sometimeswinning · 30/10/2025 18:32

tipisrevenge · 29/10/2025 13:11

I don't give a shit about bedtimes, but when I've worked and travelled all week, I'm not giving up my Saturday evening for a 5 year old's party.

Show quote history

Really? You’ve got a shock coming the older they get!

BigOldBlobsy · 30/10/2025 20:11

I’d agree too late as well. Hyper and overtired kids. Difficult bedtimes. Parents want to have some evening time to relax and get on with stuff

BigOldBlobsy · 30/10/2025 20:15

ApplesinmyPocket · 28/10/2025 22:02

Only on MN are early bedtimes so worshipped the whole rhythm of family life has to pause for the 6.30 bed routine to be adhered to.

By the way the 'sugar rush', 'sugar high' thing has been largely debunked.

You can only speak for your own child…However, speaking anecdotally. I have worked with children/young people and families for over 10 years now in a range of settings (education, mental health and CSC). And I have ABSOLUTELY seen children’s behaviour change for the better when there are earlier, responsive bedtime routines with plenty of sleep, and again, have seen behaviour and mood decline after they have had sugary/overly processed food. I

Endofthetunnel25 · 30/10/2025 20:20

I think you're worrying wayyy too much about what other people think. Some people would be fine with 5-7pm, some wouldn't. I'd probably be OK with it. I'd sell it in with DC as a "pre-bedtime party!" where we'd bring a nice flask of hot chocolate/milk for the car ride back in our PJ's.

You seem to have swapped one worry for another now (the smaller party size). Just relax!

JulianClarysDog · 30/10/2025 20:42

Far too late.
3:00pm to 5:00pm is better.

TheNightingalesStarling · 30/10/2025 20:48

7pm is a pretty normal for clubs like Beavers or Rainbows to finish. Or even later. I'm.a bit surprised by people saying its bedtime!

BoarBrush · 30/10/2025 20:51

I'd bloody love a Saturday 5-7 party over a 10-12. Home, jammies, bed, glass OK of wine. Perfect.

tipisrevenge · 30/10/2025 21:02

Sometimeswinning · 30/10/2025 18:32

Really? You’ve got a shock coming the older they get!

Show quote history

I really don’t 😜 I also have older kids that are now adults.

Difference as they get older, you can drop them off and pick them up later (not afraid to wear my PJs in the car), or they can get lifts or stay at friend’s houses.

I’m not having to hang around listening to 5 year olds screaming on a Saturday night.

mrstjones · 30/10/2025 21:07

I'm really surprised people are so against this, I had my 5yo DD's party at a soft play from 5pm to 6.30pm recently and only one person said they couldn't come because of the time. Plenty of younger siblings came too. Our own bedtime was a bit tricky but it's a one off and we have plenty of tricky bedtimes for no reason at all. I'd skip a bath and wash them in the morning, surely bu that age people must be a bit more flexible with routines? One thing I did do was give out cake in boxes so it was easier to take home and the kids weren't full of sugar.

pIum · 30/10/2025 21:14

BigOldBlobsy · 30/10/2025 20:15

You can only speak for your own child…However, speaking anecdotally. I have worked with children/young people and families for over 10 years now in a range of settings (education, mental health and CSC). And I have ABSOLUTELY seen children’s behaviour change for the better when there are earlier, responsive bedtime routines with plenty of sleep, and again, have seen behaviour and mood decline after they have had sugary/overly processed food. I

Show quote history

Children who generally have a sensible bedtime and generally eat well and generally have supportive parents can absolutely have a slighly later bedtime (or even not a later bedtime - just one without a drawn out story, bath, relax routine) once in a while and suffer no ill effects. Anyone who has worked in education or similar knows how important sleep is but the children who we see struggling are not struggling because they've gone to bed at 8.30 not 7.30 on a Saturday night now and again.

mrstjones · 30/10/2025 21:17

I wouldn't worry at all about not inviting everyone, most people understand and anyone who doesn't would find something else to be offended by anyway. I hope it goes really well and your son has a great time

Sometimeswinning · 30/10/2025 21:44

tipisrevenge · 30/10/2025 21:02

I really don’t 😜 I also have older kids that are now adults.

Difference as they get older, you can drop them off and pick them up later (not afraid to wear my PJs in the car), or they can get lifts or stay at friend’s houses.

I’m not having to hang around listening to 5 year olds screaming on a Saturday night.

Show quote history

Ah maybe I’m just more into the social and lively side of things. I much prefer the little kids parties to the dropping off at random house parties.

Different strokes and all that I guess!

MysteryNameChange · 30/10/2025 22:17

It'd be fine for us. We had a garden party for a 6th birthday and people were still there at midnight 🤣