After school birthday party?

[Tinks]

DD's birthday is on Halloween and she's desperate for party, she hasn't been able to have one for the past couple of years for one reason or another. We're busy the weekend before her birthday and the weekend after is Cup Weekend so it's doubtful many kids would be able to attend.

I was thinking of doing an after school party from either 4-6 or 5-7 or 8pm. When I was a kid these were the done thing but now they're unheard of. I understand some parents work so maybe a 5-6pm start time would be better? I live a few metres from the school so could pick kids up and walk back here with them even. Tell me your honest thoughts!

The party would be on Halloween.

[Nai]

I have friends who do this - I find it easier when they pick the kids up from school and then I pick them up from the party. I think 4-6 would be fine to be honest.

[Traveller]

I regularly do this, it works well as the kids get psyched up all day at school and are so excited come party time. I normally do it at 5pm but if you live so close to the school an after school party might work well as long as they have their costumes with them (I'm going out on a limb here but I'm assuming it's going to be a costume party?)

[Kazzo]

I think that is a great idea.

[Purple Penguin]

One of my friends did this for her DD, walked the kids home after school and I picked up DD1 about 6pm I think it was. It worked really well!

[RhiChiChi]

I'd do it from 4-6pm - pretty much straight after school & not too late.

[Novella]

The last three birthday parties DD1 has been to have been school nights (Fridays)


I personally wouldnt do an after school party as my other two go feral at that time of night, but its a good idea and then people get to keep the weekends for family rather than feeling like a chauffer service for the kids! Go for it! How old is your DD? an 8pm finish would probably be too late for kids around the 5-7 year age IMO after seeing them at 7pm last Friday I think another hour and there would have been tears and tiredness. But then 8+ it might be fine

PS Her birthday is halloween too!

[FabFiona]

I see lots of people doing it at our local park. They tend to arrive straight after school and then parents pick them up later. Seems a pretty easy set up with just one picnic table of food, maybe some balloons. I've not seen organised games - they just tend to play on the equipment.

[LuluHB]

We've had a few of these, starting around 3.30 pm. They work really well. I don't know how old your DD is but I would go the earlier times for younger ones, and a bit later as they get older.

[Phteven]

My children have been to a few. Usually in the park beside the school but once, when it rained, in the school hall.
I think the after-school party works best if it starts at 3.15 or 3.30 so that kids can go straight from school to the party. For the working parents it means they can pick up after the party and not worry about the drop-off and occupying the hour between school ending and the party.

[Astrid]

Also another who thinks it is fine and if anything preferable to some of birthday times we have had to deal with. Go for it!

[Madham]

I would do straight from school saves working parents and i find kids get a bit antsy waiting for a party to start, do pick up no later than 6, 2 hours and you will be pulling you hair out lol

[Tinks]

Yes, 2 hours is heaps!

Looks like it's a goer. I'll pick them all up from school and walk them here, it's definitely the easiest for most parents.

[Novella]

That's great and you'll be able to set it up and get the food sorted without over excited kids running around and wanting to 'try' all the party food befor the guests arrive!

[Mother Goose]

funny you mention this. DD has an invite for one starting at 4 this Friday. My DD goes to after school care 4 days a week. The earliest I can ever pick her up is 430. I was pretty annoyed about it because she really wanted to go to the party. Luckily, the mum has offered to pick DD up and take her to the party and I'll collect her at the end. It is killing me inside though because I am going to miss her first skating experience!