Party length

[Elcamay]

how long should a 5 year old's party be?. we're holding it in the local village hall for 20-25 kids.

I would say definitely not more than 2 hours. I like after school parties (time to prepare without an over-excited child underfoot!), & would generally go for 3.45 - 5.30 or so.

That gives say 15 mins running around while they all turn up, half hour games, half hour for tea, another couple of games & then parents turn up to collect.

they are getting shorter round here. 1 1/2 hours. soon they will just drive past and grab the party bags.

what if party is in holidays. going for two hours for 7 year old party. poss two and a half as squeezing in movie on a saturday.
Early or late afternoon?

Agree longer for 7 y/os - dd is 8 & we're not doing a party but she's having a few friends round for a dvd, so allowing 2.5 hours to fit in food, dvd & some running around time.

Personally I would go for as early as possible for a younger child ("is it party time yet" from 7.30 am ...) but I wouldn't have thought it mattered by the time they're 7 +

ds's party next month (will be 4) is 12 til 2.

we are having 2.5 hour party for our 4 year old