Is 3 hours too long for a kids party?
We’ve found that 2-3 hours is the perfect length for most children’s parties. Is 3 hours too long for a kids party? Well, no, not if they’re tweens. Longer than that, however, and you open yourself up to the ‘crankies’ in kids of all ages. Today, we’re going to let you know how long to plan for and what to include in your schedule on the day.
Is 2 hours long enough for a party?
For most children under 12, we find that 2 hours is the perfect length for a party. They’ll have some food, have some games and get just tired enough that their parents will thank you for it without them becoming overstimulated and aggy.
Is 4 hours enough for a birthday party?
This is too much, honestly. After three hours, even the oldest children start getting sick of socialising, being in unfamiliar territory or eating unusual foods. Unless you’re doing a sleepover party, there is also not a whole lot you can do to entertain children for this long continuously… even movies are only 90 minutes on average.
Example schedule for a 2-hour kids party
Hour 1
- 0:00-0:15 ➡️Arrival & Free Play
As the kids arrive, let them settle in with simple activities like a colouring station, bubbles or slime. - 0:15-0:45 ➡️Icebreaker Game
Start with an easy group game like musical chairs, group dance or a scavenger hunt.
Hour 2
- 0:45-1:15 ➡️Main Activity
Hire an entertainer, let them just run about and free-play or do a themed craft together. - 1:15-1:30 ➡️Food & Drinks
Have a buffet table of kid-friendly snacks or a light meal with caffeine-free drinks on offer. - 1:30-1:50 ➡️Cake or Desserts
Gather everyone together for desserts or cake and the happy birthday song with presents, if it’s a birthday party. - 1:50-2:00 ➡️Closing & Goodie Bags
To finish, do a quick, calm game like story time, balloon animals or pass the parcel and then send them home with favour bags.
Example Schedule for a 3-Hour Party
Hour 1
- 0:00-0:20 ➡️Arrival & Free Play
Welcome each child, tell them where things are, and encourage them to go meet everyone. - 0:20-0:50 ➡️First Group Game
Burn off some energy with an active game like a treasure hunt, tag or an obstacle course.
Hour 2
- 1:50-2:00 ➡️Craft or Themed Activity
If you’ve got a theme, do a craft or book an entertainer. If not, try letting the kids make something together or play a cooperative video game. - 1:20-1:50 ➡️Food & Drinks
Set out a display of finger foods, and easy-to-manage snacks with juice, smoothies or water to drink. - 1:50-2:20 ➡️Low-impact Games
Do something simple like balloon animals, a magician, a piñata or pass the parcel while they digest.
Hour 3
- 2:20-2:40 ➡️Cake or Desserts
Now do your desserts or cake and the happy birthday song, followed by presents, if it’s a birthday party. - 2:40-3:00 ➡️Last Game & Favours
To finish, run a final game that’s calming so they’re not riled up before they go home and hand out the goodie bags.
What about a sleepover party?
We love the idea of a sleepover party, but only for tweens and teenagers (and we wouldn’t call their parties “kids parties” anyway, the horror!) Sleepovers are a good way for your children to experience “different cultures, different routines - it can help them become more adaptable. If a child is a little anxious or has trouble with separation, sleepovers can be a way to practice doing hard things. It’s a gentle way to build resilience and independence!”
Need a planning timeline of when to do what that you can bookmark? Head on over to our kids party blog, full of helpful features for parents every single month.
