Kids birthday party timeline help

boston

Hi

I am having a birthday party for my son who is turning five. I have hired a company that will be bringing in some reptiles, snakes, etc. and her "show" is an hour. My question is about the timeline. The party is at 1pm and I can have her start her show at 1:15pm or 1:30pm ( she isn't real flexible on time).  My thought is this:

1:00-1:15 guest arrive, have toys out to play w/etc.

1:15-2:15 Nature show

2:15-2:30 Eat pizza

2:30-2:45 Cake

2:45- 3pm Presents

Is this timeline ok? Should I have the kids eat pizza first, then do the show...then cake, presents? Not everyone arrives on time so I don't want those to miss out on eating either....or maybe I shouldn't serve food besides cake? It's kind of a late "lunch".

Any help appreciated as it's my first party for him.

6fsn

It's a really tight timeline.  Do kids really eat anything in 15 mins? I'd have some food before the show and do that at 130.  Then have the cake right after washing hands.  I'd consider not opening the presents. 

Or I'd do the show at 115 and only have cake after washing hands. 

(I'm imagining the kids touching the reptiles so handwashing will be important)

cutiepie75

Can you move the party up a little bit? 

Something like this....

12:00 Arrival

12:15-1:30- Pizza, Cake, Games, Open Gifts if time permits

1:30- Show 

Go home.

Side note....do kids not have organized games at parties anymore?

 

boston

Yeah, I figured the timing was a little tight. And I will for sure have them line up to wash hands for food after any animal touching. They do still have organized games at parties. I thought an indoor camping theme would be cute so I ran with it...and found a local nature company that brings in reptiles/animals which was perfect for the theme. Her shows are educational so I thought that was great for their age group of 4-5 years old. I can't change the time of the party start time as I ordered the invites already.

cutiepie75

Cute theme/idea!  It will all work out.  Have fun!

kac

1:15 show first, then I'd just have cake and ice cream.  Kids don't eat at parties anyways and that's late for lunch.  Then presents and home.

Kristen

GatorWedsNole

1 - 1:30 pizza

1:30 - 2:30 show

2:30 - 3 cake

tiffanysbride

Can the show be shorter? Honestly seems long for 5 year olds. Maybe they can eat and do presents at the same time.