The Perfect Kids Party Length Guide

It’s time to plan your kiddo’s next birthday party and you are faced with a daunting decision: what time should you plan your celebration? Too early and kids may be dragged out of bed to attend. Too late and kids may be missing naptime, leading to potential meltdowns. We’ve pulled together four main factors to consider when you are trying to find the sweet spot of the perfect time for your party.

Child’s well-being

How old is your kiddo turning for their birthday? This is an important planning element. Early parties can be best for younger kiddos who wake up when the sun rises. This also allows parents to have the rest of their day to themselves and still get their young ones down for naptime. Should you have a group of older kids that don’t nap, a secondary window of 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM is an alternative option to allow for the party to wrap up before it’s too late in the day. Evening parties can be a fun time for the older kids by mixing in an activity plus dinner. Pump It Up has party start times throughout the early morning to the evening to fit your party needs.

Parental convenience

When you became a parent, did you realize one of the many hats you would wear is a driver? Weekends can feel like an endless loop of running from activity to activity, and setting a firm schedule for your event will allow parents to know when to arrive and when to plan to depart. If your age group is older and parents are welcome to drop off/pick up only, this will enable them to schedule additional activities around the party schedule.

Managing expectations

During a fun event like a birthday party, expectations can be really helpful to reduce any confusion, and ensure that all have fun while in attendance. Not to mention, parents and kids have busy schedules! This helps parents plan their days accordingly. We recommend keeping kids’ birthday parties between 1 ½ to 2 hours, as that is the attention span most children have for one activity. This amount of time also allows both parents and kids to enjoy the party without feeling bad about early departures. Setting a schedule with the order of events and clearly communicating as you move from one activity to the next will help guests understand what to expect, and ensure your partygoers don’t get overstimulated amidst all the excitement. As you know, kids tire quickly and to help eliminate any meltdowns, keeping the party moving in a timely manner will benefit all involved.

Respect for the host

When you welcome guests into your home, it can be tricky to show your guests the door when all the fun is done. When you have communicated an end time and kept your guests aligned with the flow of the event along the way, it should be logical and make sense when it is time to go. At Pump It Up, your Party Pro will handle the entire flow for you, ensuring that your guests are aware when it is time to head off to their next activity or plan for the day, and you just get to thank everyone for attending.

As you start planning your next event, take a moment and consider these factors as you go. Think about the age of children you are entertaining and consider their daily schedules and attention spans as you plan how to best throw a party that the parents will remember fondly for your consideration of their needs and their childrens’ needs. Consider whether Pump It Up is the right venue for you, as we have considered all of these factors in the design of the party we throw for kids of all ages! Visit www.pumpitupparty.com to learn more now.