How long should kid's parties last??

annaangeluk_2

I'm trying to organise my dd's 9th birthday party but I'm not sure how long it should go on for! It's going to be in a local church hall and we're having a dj. Planning on inviting about 35-40 kids (:eek::eek:)

The dj has provided a quote for two hours so I'm assuming that's the average? Would an hour with the dj to do games and dancing, 30 minutes for food, then the remaining 30 minutes back with the dj seem reasonable?

Bit stuck with it as no body seems to have these sort of parties anymore! It's all bowling or wacky warehouses but the kids all seem bored with it!

Am I making a huge mistake???

Anna x

Emmamumof2

I do them this way too!! But mine are only 2 and 5 so shorter attention span - 2 hours is plenty when they are this age - perhaps at 9 years old they would enjoy another 1/2 an hour but remembering you have to fill the time - I think what you've said is fine - parents expect parties to be about 2 hours long in my limited experience of our parties and friends parties -
I think you will have had enough by then too, its hard work isnt it trying to please everyone!!!!
x

Jo.G

I'd say 2 hours is enough. I also find that the majority of kids will have finished eating within 15 minutes and will then want to leave the table and spend 15 minutes running around the hall! My kids have had/ been to a few parties like this, if you have a decent DJ who is good with kids and does all the party games too they are also good at keeping them amused and under control. I always make sure I have a nice bottle of wine waiting for me at home! I hope you and your DD have a lovely day, just go with the flow and dont get stressed.

penny1973

Hi my daughter is nine this year and all the parties she goes to are 2 hours unless they involving travelling e.g. little miss make over or movies. The party will simply run with games after about 15minutes of corners, best dancer, musical chairs, musical bumps etc..

Most children leave between 5mins before the end and 5 minutes after. Most of the disco format parties I've arranged and attended follow this format. If they go over 2 hours boredom does seem to kick in.

Guinea_2

I would say that two hours is plenty. Children get easily bored!

annaangeluk_2

Thanks for everyone's replies! I much more confident now that two hours will be fine!! The DJ we're hiring has said he does games etc with the kids so hopefully I will get to hide out in the kitchen and sort out the goody bags etc while he keeps them occupied!!

Thanks again for replies!

Anna x

LJM

def 2 hours from me for all the parties ive held for the girls ive hired djs before they have been brilliant music and games for hour and half ish then played music while they are eating, all ive had to do is enjoy it