We had K's from 1 to 4. I figured with that long of a timeframe if she (or any of her little friends) needed a nap, they could nap and the rest of us could still enjoy the party.
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
For the 2-3 year old crowd (not sure if you'll have lots of them on your guest list), the best times are either 4-6 or 10-12. My kids nap from 1ish to 4ish so we can never make the parties that start at 1 or 2. One year olds are a bit more flexible and have a wide range of nap times, but I find they're all awake between 4-6 and most from 10-12 (or even 9-11).
We did 3-6 but that was when C was going to bed around 6:30 pm and we didn't want to keep her up too late. The only issue was that people lingered (it was at our house) and Char was too geeked to go to sleep with everyone still around. She went to bed a little late but was fine.
ugh, I remember this being super frustrating! We had J's at 3pm, I figured it was after nap, and I wanted to serve a meal... so those that were able to make it at 3, no big deal. I think the whole thing was wrapped up by 6pm (it was at a park, so people couldn't linger, though we did have a large group follow us home...
Also, think of location and lighting (duh) for those ever important photos...
Ours was 2pm (supposed to be until about 4) and of course her schedule moved up a bit after I had the invites printed and 3pm would have been better. We just had appetizers and cake, no meal. We also really didn't have any other kiddos, it was mostly adults (and the kids that did come were older, over 4).
At that age, she was still taking 2 naps so morning wouldn't work for us. Besides, people frown on drinking alcohol at 10am
We did 4-6 pm. M was on two naps at that point - 1 mid-morning & the other early afternoon so that worked best for us. I don't think it conflicted with guest naptimes either.
we're looking at 1-4 but dd will be the only really LO there .. most of the other kids will be 2 1/2 - 5. i'm not really worried about naptimes.
Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes the eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker - Author Unknown
We did C's party at 3 pm for two reasons: it was the only time of day that he was never asleep so I was guaranteed that he'd be awake, and two, he was happiest in the afternoon at that age. It was his party so timing it to be best for him was my priority.
Re: Time for 1st Birthday Party
ugh, I remember this being super frustrating! We had J's at 3pm, I figured it was after nap, and I wanted to serve a meal... so those that were able to make it at 3, no big deal. I think the whole thing was wrapped up by 6pm (it was at a park, so people couldn't linger, though we did have a large group follow us home...
Also, think of location and lighting (duh) for those ever important photos...
Ours was 2pm (supposed to be until about 4) and of course her schedule moved up a bit after I had the invites printed and 3pm would have been better. We just had appetizers and cake, no meal. We also really didn't have any other kiddos, it was mostly adults (and the kids that did come were older, over 4).
At that age, she was still taking 2 naps so morning wouldn't work for us. Besides, people frown on drinking alcohol at 10am
we're looking at 1-4 but dd will be the only really LO there .. most of the other kids will be 2 1/2 - 5. i'm not really worried about naptimes.
11:30-2ish