Best Time For a Children's Birthday Party??

[robinb]

My DD will be turning 4 on a Sunday and I was planning a birthday party on the day of her birthday. I was going to have it at my house and serve cake and ice cream (no other food) and then I thought we would walk down to the park and swim in the lake (there's a lifeguard). What is a good time for a party? It seems that whatever time I think about is too close to mealtime!

Thanks!

 

[browneyes]

How about 3 o'clock? Everyone can eat lunch before they get to the party, and leave from the lake to go get dinner.

 

[shep]

Have at 7 p.m. that way people will leave when it gets dark.. ..ok...j/k...one time we had a party at 1 and people hung around til dark..that would be fine if it had been at my house, but it was at SIL's house(who had a pool) We had decided to start parties later in the day...

 

[Michelle]

I'd make it from 2:00 to 4:00 or 5:00 (have a set end time) so that people don't expect any meals in that time frame.

Also, is this a drop-off party or will parents come with their little ones? You definitely do not want the liability of swimming with a bunch of little ones without their parents, lifeguard or not.

Happy birthday to your daughter...mine turns 10 on Friday!

 

[shortbun]

Another vote for 2-5pm. Light snaks that way and no one
expects a meal. Have fun!

 

[robinb]

Thanks! I was thinking about 2 or 3 to 5, but thought maybe that was too close to dinner. I will ask parents to stay ... I have stayed at the other parties my DD has been to.

 

[FreshTressa]

My four year old is usually pretty tired by then and can get really overwhelmed by a party that late in the day. I did a 1-3 last year and a 10-12 before that.

 

[believe]

I've never had a birthday party without food, or attend one without food. I would definitely make sure it is noted in the invitation that cake and ice cream will be served, or that there will be light snacks.

 

[grinningghost]

One thing - don't make it any longer than 3 hours. Kids of that age often have meltdowns pretty quickly. I can't even remember one birthday party when DD was young where I didn't have at least one (usually more) kid in tears over something. I remember feeling like Dear Abby as I served the cake.