Am I mad? Considering having ds's 7th birthday party after school - what do you think?

[MsDemeanor]

It's not for a few months but thinking ahead to ds's party. It's actually midweek, and I wondered if it might be fun to have his party on his actual birthday, from 3.30 to 6pmish. We live very, very near the school (and all the guests would be classmates) and the party would be at home so they could be here in five minutes.
We would have post-school snacks, an entertainer, poss a bouncy castle then a tea with pizza and fruit kebabs etc so parents wouldn't have to give tea afterwards. I could volunteer to collect children of working parents as an alternative to childminder/afterschool club etc. What do you think? Has anyone done this? Do you think lots of kids would have after school activities so couldn't come? Any other disadvantages I haven't thought of?

I mean, his actual birthday is midweek.

Great idea, makes a change from the usual Sat/Sun afternoon. Even if they did have after school activities they could surely miss just one. Nice to celebrate on his actual birthday or you end up doing two things IME.

Thanks - glad to have a vote of confidence! Anyone else?

I'm doing the same for my ds birthday this year. His is actually on the last day of term, I'm hoping the weather will be good so lots of outdoor activiites. (There will also be wine/beer available for parents!!)

Ooh, that's a good idea for pick up time.

I did this in March for my DSs 7th and it worked really well (Monday evening). I did it 4 - 7:30 though to give them a chance to get changed.

Go for it - i think weekend parties can sometimes get in the way.

Do you think the children will want to get changed? I didn't consider that. If I say 4pm though what about kids who don't live near the school?

Not sure about getting changed - Parties are a minefield aren't they?

It wasn't such a big deal for me becasue most who came were in the village.

Loving the idea of a glass of wine for pick up time!

yes yes yes......Brilliant idea. W/E's get shot to pieces with parties, so an after school one would be ideal IMO.

I think this is ideal if you are offering to pick them up from school as if there are parents who work then those children wouldn't be able to attend.
I would do a weekday party if i lived close enough to school to bring them home.

So weekday party good then? Would you be OK about my taking your child to the party? Most of the parents know me I'm sure, if not all.

re other thread - I'm inviting his whole class (hope they don't all come!)

Well you could put it as option on invite.
I am happy to collect your dc from school or they can be dropped off at ...
Some dc would only be able to come if you picked them up so giving the option is good. But i wouldn't finish it any later than 6/630 bearing in mind most childcare is finished at 6 anyway, as they will have school the next day and my ds 6 is in bed at 7 on a school night.

My nephew did this for his 7th, funnily enough - shared the party with a girl in his class whose birthday was a day earlier and invited the entire class.

The two families hired a hall, had an entertainer/magician, bit of a disco with prizes for dancing, food pre-ordered rom the chippy across the road (sausages, nuggets, chips) and ice lollies for pud. The entire class came, most probably because they were all going on together and a good time was had by all!

So yes, great idea

cant see problem, good idea. agree with lily, give people option in cae they'd rather do pick up and drop off themselves. I do think they'll want to get changed though. suggest they bring a change of clothes in a bag and you could take these home in the morning (best option i think) or they can be hung on peg til home time. you could then have official start time for party as 4.00 to give everyone time to get changed and for people who are taking kids home and then dropping them off

ds1 had his 5th after school on his birthday, 3.30pm - 5pm. Few games, play in garden, tea, home. His best friend came home with us and brought a change of clothes, the others came a little later (school finishes at 3pm).

OK, off to book the magician!

Several of DS's classmates have had after school parties this year(and they are not as conveniently located as you!) TBH, there is such a "clump" of birthdays in April/May that the weekends would be double or triple-booked otherwise. One or two children chose to get changed (or their parents chose to get them changed - not sure which) but the vast majority were in school uniform and that was fine.

Go for it - you are covering the bases by giving people an option of you picking their DC up for them, and it saves everyone the disruption of a weekend party.

A few nays would be wonderful as it's at home - though could just about fit them all in (there are some that never go to parties) it would be better if some are busy. I'm sure it won't rain though (crazy pollyanna emoticon). Never has yet!

This sounds like a great idea. Nice for them to have a party on a week day.