Birthday Party Day/Time Poll

Most birthday parties are 2-3 hours in length, depending on the activity. Less than 2 hours is too short. I wouldn't worry about naps, it is unusual to nap at 4. None of my kids friends were napping at four years old, because they all went to afternoon nursery school. I usually like to do mid afternoon parties (1-4) so I don't have to serve lunch, but since you are serving lunch 12-2 is a good time. Saturday is better because Sunday would interfere with church.

Sundays are nice.
2 hours is about right for an outdoors party. I wouldn't plan for more than 3 hours.
The times are iffy. If it's going to be in the summer it could be pretty hot outside in the afternoon. Otherwise I prefer after 2PM because it seems seems to work best for everyone.

We only had one party at our house. The coolaid insured we did not have another. We always have them at parks near play grounds when they are really young and then when she got older we let her pick the venue, rollerskatter, arcade etc. 11:30 to about 2 and we usually serve pizza or something for lunch and then cake. Earlier is too earlier for some and later is to late for others.

Do kids that age play soccer/baseball where you live? If so, you may want to steer clear of Saturday altogether. Of course, you do live in the Bible Belt there, so maybe Sunday would be problematic that way. I guess it depends on the particular people invited. If I may say so, we have had amazing luck with Friday afternoon parties, right after school. Nobody ever has anything planned then, for whatever reason. (But of course, that mostly works if a lot of the parents involved are SAHMs.)

2 hours is fine, I think. It takes a while to feed that many kids, plus get them through the activities, give them their goodie bags, etc.

Kids that age at a park just want to run around and play. Personally, I think you have way too much planned. Maybe just the tee should as an activity. They are way to young to focus on all you have planned. No more than two hours. PB nJ sandwiches, chicken tenders, some chips and cake and you are good to go. Maybe some Mac and cheese too.

12-2 sounds great. 11-1 would not stop me from attending. At a park two hours would be fine. At a bounce place or other indoor venue - the shortest time possible would be desirable. Your food selection sounds fine. Either Saturday or Sunday - don't have a preference. I would fine 10 am way to early for a party.

For our parties, I usually schedule them from 1-3 on Saturday. That way you don't have to serve food beyond cake (I make sure to include that info on the invite, so parents aren't expecting a late lunch). But that may not work with your crowd, if you have nap schedules to consider. Many families reserve Sundays for church and family time, I try to respect that. Most parties don't start exactly on time, so allowing a little time buffer in there is fine, even with the kids being younger. If everyone finishes the activities and cake early, they can play at the park. Some parents will appreciate the "extra" play and some parents may take advantage and leave a bit early. Either way it will work out fine.

Personally I think 1.5 hours for under 5 is perfect. Most places that host parties are about that length (Little Gym for example). We're doing a back yard party for our soon to be 3 year old twins and it's from 10:30-12.
If they're young, you may want to consider some are still napping. My girls nap at 1:30 and my oldest napped until she was 4... I think she eventually was napping at 2pm.

fyi

11-1 or even 10-12 is best. Most kids probably still nap and 12-2 is too late. Personally, I prefer Sunday, since my son always plays sports on Saturdays. But churchgoers may feel differently.

Almost every party I have ever been to for this age range was two hours long. None were shorter and only 1-2 were longer. That is probably 20-30 parties!

B.:

I agree with your husband - 2 hours is too long for 4 year olds. For 4 year olds? NAP TIME - I would do a later afternoon party - say 3:30 to 5PM.

Yes, there are parties that start at 10AM. However, even that early and that age - people will be expecting snacks/food.

The party sounds like fun!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Saturday

1.5 hours

11am-12:30 pm (if you want to really save money do it from 10-11:30 or 2pm-3:30 so you don't have to provide lunch)

Just do cupcakes and ice cream cups.

Cut out one of the activities - a stuffed animal and the pinata are plenty for that age. Too much will be overwhelming for the kids and YOU!

For that age group I would do a two hour party Saturday morning starting at 10am. I've had a few parties at that time and it worked out great for us!

You do have to consider naps of other kids, like other people mentioned, so ending at noon is a good time. PLUS...since you're ending at noon you can choose whether or not to do an actual lunch. I think if you provide just some snacks (and cake/cupcakes of course) you can get away with it. But if you want to do lunch, go for it.

Two hours will fly by and most parents will stay with their kid at that age, and they are probably all your friends anyway, so I don't think 2 hours is too long. I do agree that paring down some of your crafts is a good idea. Maybe have two tables set up and split the kids up to do animals and t-shirts. I agree that maybe you should decorate the houses and just send it home as part of the favor.

The kids will mostly want to play at the park or run around. Bring some extra balls and stuff for them to play with and possibly some extra lawn chairs so the parents can sit and hang out.

I prefer doing parties on Sunday, with 3 kids in sports my Saturday mornings to md afternoons are taken up with those events. On. Sunday I try to do the party around 3:00 so I don't have to "feed" the guests. Parties at the park are great, do you have a backup plan for rain? Good Luck

At a park 2 hours won't be enough time...lol. They'll want to run amok and play. If you don't do too much structure and let them play you can do any time frame easily.

I'd do it like this.

Open the party with the craft. This way if one or two of them need more time it won't be a big rush.

Then I'd let them go play until everyone is ready for cake. Do the happy birthday song then hand out the plates with the cake on it.

Then open gifts. Now it's all basically done. If you serve food you add all that cost and mess. I wouldn't serve any food other than cake and maybe ice cream.

Then I'd let them go run amok and let the parents round them up when they're ready to home. This way the party part is over but the kids are still together and having a blast playing.

If you have the party from 10-11:30am you can do the cake around 10:45 to 11, not a bad time for a morning snack. The parents will round their kids up to go home for lunch or out to eat. They'll have run off the cake and will be ready for their afternoon naps.

I would have the party from 10:00 - 12:00. Pick only one craft activity and let them be active the rest of the time (bring a few balls for them to throw around or if there's a playground at the park, you're all set). Finish with a light lunch (your choices are fine) and cupcakes at 11:30. If there are any nappers in the bunch, their parents will thank you for having the party earlier, rather than right during nap time. I had parties on Sunday morning, but my group of friends were not church-goers, so that time was free.

whenever we have had a birthday at a park, we are usually there for 3-4 hours. You could do it in 2 hours, but the kids are going to want to run and play more than do crafts and projects. When we would do it, we would get there, have lunch, let the kids play, do a pinata and a couple games. Then we would do cake and then the kids would play more. I would say lunch or dinner time is good. We have done both times. I actually like dinner time because it gives us all day to get stuff ready and then after the party, everyone goes home, takes a bath and goes right to bed. Have fun!

12-2 would be fine either day.
Most 4 year olds will be FINE for 2 hours. What 4 year old naps every two hours? Lol
Drop off, Snack ( lunchtime )activities, sing, cake, pick up.
Take lots of pictures!

I like Saturdays myself. But if you are not wanting to spend a lot of money I would do it from like 1 to 3 that way you only have to do cake. It's late enough that everyone can eat before they come. Two hours is usually a good length for kids and if it's at a park it's not like you can't stay longer.

Our preference to attend parties is usually Saturday. Sunday is possible but you run into interfering with church hours. The other thing to consider is how many of your guests still take a nap. If you plan a party during most kids nap time #1 they may not come because its during nap time #2 you may have a group of grouchy kids because it's nap time. lol. As far as the length 2 hours is a normal party time. It sounds like you have a lot of fun things planned for the kid to do, combined with being at a park where they will want to have time to play. Your food selections seem to be right on target, finger foods work best for your location. Maybe consider juice boxes or small water bottles too.
Good Luck

I prefer parties on Saturday.

I think 12:00 - 2:00 is a better time; 10:00 is too early

2 hours is probably about right. If you get done with your planned activities earlier, the kids can have free play in the park.

Since you will be outdoors, you could incorporate a few outdoor games like Simon Says or Red Light, Green Light. Kids LOVE those games!

Have a great party!

-If the kids are that age, either day is fine. (If they were older, I would say to stay away from Saturdays because of kids sports games)
-I don't think 2 hours is too long. It will go by FAST.
- I like 11-1 (that way people will stay have the rest of the day)
-Food assortment is fine.

Sat because most people we know go to church on sundays
2 hours is perfect for party or if you want make it 1 1/2 hours for younger children.

We do parties from 2-4 usually. If you do 11 or 12, expect to provide lunch, snack and cake. If you do from 2-4 then its light snack, cake etc.

Good luck!