xp: Time of day for 2nd B-day party (non-clicky poll)

nsuhomer · June 2011

What time of day do you think is better for a two year old's party? Most kids will be two with a couple of one, three, and four year old's. Mostly concerned about naptimes for everybody and hoping to avoid a bunch of cranky kids...

1. Late-morning: 10-12 ish

2. Early afternoon: 12-2 ish

3. Mid-afternoon: 2-4 ish

schnappycat · June 2011

In our experience, dinnertime has worked out best. That way we could avoid both the AM and PM naps of all of the kids in attendance (from babies- 3 yos). We have had all of our parties at 4:30 PM after the afternoon nap and had an early dinner. For us, that was the longest uninterrupted stretch of time (that didn't interfere with naptimes) and guaranteed the kids would be well rested. The party ended at 6:30 or 7 and then the kids could go to bed.

Mama Jan · June 2011

DS1's party was at 10am and DS2's will be 11-1. I think anything between 12-4 is going to run into a variety of naps. You could also consider doing an evening/dinner type thing... 4-6 or 5-7.

ETA: everyone without kids who was invited to DS1's 10am party thought it was a very strange time to have a party (I actually think it may have been 10:30). Not that I cared what they thought but it did make me realize how unusual that time could be.

mrs.larry · June 2011

I had people come over around 3. DS naps 1-3 so I wanted him to be able to get a good nap in so he didn't melt down at his own party. I get (selfishly - i admit) annoyed when people have parties from 1-3, because it means either missing a nap completely or getting cat naps in the car. Both options mean a suuuuuper cranky little boy come bath time.

jennyenny323 · June 2011

We did a dinner party at 4. DD naps until 4 usually and she actually slept a little past 4 the day of her party. So when she got up and went outside, she was well-rested and pleasantly surprised!

nsuhomer · June 2011

Thanks ladies! I'm thinking 2-4 or maybe 3-5 because it's going to be outdoors (bubbles theme) so I don't want to go too late. Afternoon/evening is definitely making the most sense though. I hadn't really thought of pre-naptime crankiness, but I know DD for sure gets fussy when naps are delayed too long.

LauranBilly · June 2011

Everyones schedules are different. and you cant make everyone happy. Ill understand if you show up a little late becuase your kiddo was napping. we have even showed up late to parties cause my Kiddo was napping. It is what it is. Do whats best for you and your LO. After all it is all about the Birthday Boy or Girl!

ironmommy · June 2011

We did DD's 2nd birthday party at 3 p.m. I think some people thought it was kind of a strange time -- most around here do all parties at 11 a.m. -- but that was best for our nap schedule.

WestCoastMommy · June 2011

I hate when parties are in the middle of the day. It ruins the whole day for your guests. I'm a fan or early or late. We have done DS bday's starting at 10:30 and ending at 12:30 the last two years. DH and I can't stand when a party starts between 1 and 3 because then your whole day revolves around a kids party and weekends are our family time. Maybe it's just us tho. lol

schnappycat · June 2011

Mrs.West07:
I hate when parties are in the middle of the day. It ruins the whole day for your guests. I'm a fan or early or late. We have done DS bday's starting at 10:30 and ending at 12:30 the last two years. DH and I can't stand when a party starts between 1 and 3 because then your whole day revolves around a kids party and weekends are our family time. Maybe it's just us tho. lol

I tend to agree. Especially since my kids have always napped between 1 and 4, so it's nearly impossible for us to make a party near those times, at least without a missed nap and cranky kid or two. That is why we have been successful with our 4:30 on Sunday parties. It doesn't really cut into any of our guests' weekends.

But really, it comes down to what is best for you. I'm just overly accommodating to our guests since we have no family here and invite very few people to start with. I would hate for us have guests unable to make it because of naps or other avoidable reasons.

*sallymad* · June 2011

We always do dinner time (normally starting at about 5:00 and going until 7:30/8:00ish).

It works better for afternoon naps. Plus all our friends who have kids have an afternoon nap as well.

alli&pat · June 2011

LauranBilly:
Everyones schedules are different. and you cant make everyone happy. Ill understand if you show up a little late becuase your kiddo was napping. we have even showed up late to parties cause my Kiddo was napping. It is what it is. Do whats best for you and your LO. After all it is all about the Birthday Boy or Girl!

I totally agree with this line of thinking. It was DS's party and I wanted him as happy as possible so I picked the time I thought would work best for him. His party was at 4 and we fired up the grill around 4:30 and did an early dinner.

shannm · June 2011

Out of the times that you listed, I would prefer 10-12. 12-2 may be ok but it would be hit or miss with DS's mood.

The other day we did not go to a party because it was scheduled for 2-4 which is when DS naps on the weekends.

In addition, 4 and after would also be good for us.

tri047 · June 2011

I say mid-afternoon. We had C's around 3 and it worked out great.

jenn_darrin1515 · June 2011

I agree with the others - pick the time that doesn't interfere with your LOs nap and run with it...we had the girls party at 4pm b/c they nap 1-3....

Susan&Skip · June 2011

We did his second b-day at 4:30. This year we are doing it at 11:30-2 since it's a beach / swim party. However it's going to be only family and cousins.

Simonaaaa · June 2011

We've had our parties at 4:00 p.m. and that seems to work out great for everyone with kids.

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