Choosing a time for your child’s birthday party can feel tricky. There is a lot to take into consideration, such as the age of the participants, your vision for the dining experience, location hours if it’s not at home, and any activities you have planned.
Participant Age
Young children and families are very busy today. Mornings on the weekend are often filled with sports, family time, or, if you are lucky, a bit of downtime. For this reason, it is best to try to avoid adding to the weekend swirl of activities with a party that starts before 10:00 a.m. If an early party is all you can arrange, ensure that you design the party in such a way that people who arrive after the start time can be included in the activity and welcomed warmly into the space. It also never hurts to have coffee waiting for the caregivers when hosting an early morning party.
If the majority of the guests are still within napping age, it is best to avoid mid-afternoon parties as well. Children are generally asleep between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., so aim for a 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. party or a 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. time slot. The early morning window will allow families to calmly feed their children breakfast, get dressed, and get out the door without needing to rush. There is nothing worse than pulling your kids out of the door all school week, only to turn around and do it on the weekend to avoid being late for a party.
For a post-nap gathering, 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. provides a great window of time for a party. Nap times vary depending on the family, and sometimes nappers, old and young, need a moment to wake up at home before rushing out the door. If a child typically sleeps until 3:00 p.m., a 4:00 p.m. party allows the child the time and space to wake up, spend 30 minutes having a snack, and get dressed at home before getting in the car.
Dining Options
What you plan to serve your guests to eat also largely dictates the ideal timing for a party. If you are hoping to provide lunch, a 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. party works perfectly! You can schedule all activities and play prior to lunch, eat lunch together, slice the cake, and send everyone home ready for naps.
If you are hoping to host a party with more formal dining or a catered experience, a 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. party is a great time slot. Guests have the opportunity to complete activities and then can either eat when they choose throughout the evening or have an organized meal together at 5:45 p.m.
If you would prefer not to feed guests or provide light snacks instead of a full meal, 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. is a great option. This timing allows people to have lunch at home and then conclude before dinner. One thing about this time slot is that guests might arrive a little after 2:00 p.m. Especially if your invitees are still taking naps, 2:00 p.m. can be a tight arrival window.
Location Hours
Keep in mind that you need to choose a time when your location is open. If you have a preferred time and date, it is important to secure the location at least two months in advance. Most venues begin taking bookings three months from a chosen date, so if your birthday child has their heart set on a space, it is best to inquire early.
Some venues also have special booking times. For example, CuriOdyssey in San Mateo has birthday booking times throughout the day. They will also allow you to book parties after hours from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This time slot is perfect if you are having a larger party or just want the whole museum to yourself and your guests.
Activities
Finally, the interests or activities chosen by the birthday child may dictate party time. For example, if your child has a winter birthday but would like to have a party that requires being outside, such as a sports party, it would be best to plan an earlier time slot so that you have plenty of light to play.
Bringing It All Together
Any time can work to host a fantastic party. The most important thing to consider is the interests of the birthday child and appropriateness for the invitees. When you choose a time that aligns with the flow of family schedules, mealtimes, and planned activities, you create a celebration that feels joyful rather than rushed. Thoughtful timing also helps caregivers feel relaxed and welcome, which can set the tone for the entire event. By choosing a great time, you can craft a celebration that feels special, organized, and memorable for everyone involved.