Something I know many parents weigh up is whether to book the one-hour or two-hour party. Both options work well in different situations, and it really depends on what you’ve got planned. In this post, I’ll take you through the pros and cons of each so you can decide what’s the best fit for your party.
A two-hour party is often the most practical choice if you’re looking to fill the full length of a typical children’s party. It runs from start to finish without needing any additional activities or input from you. The structure breaks neatly into two halves with the magic show in the first half, then a break for food, followed by around 40 minutes of party games. If you were looking for a complete party solution, then this would be the natural choice.
The two-hour party does cost a little more, so it might not be the right fit if you’re working with a tighter budget. Some parents also wonder if two hours might feel too long for the children. The time is broken up really well, and the structure keeps things moving. If you’re still unsure, read my article on why a two-hour party is not too long to get a better understanding.
The one-hour party is great if you’re after something short, fun, and high energy. It squeezes the magic show and games into one exciting hour, which works really well if you’ve got other things lined up, like a bouncy castle or your own games afterwards. It’s ideal if you just need something fun to kick things off or fill a part of the party.
The downside to the one-hour party is that if there’s nothing else planned once I finish, the chances of the children running wild are pretty high. Trying to contain a big group of other people’s kids once the structure disappears isn’t easy. Luckily, when I’m in charge with a microphone and a solid line-up of party games it is, but once I’m packing up, it’s a different story.
To summarise, the best choice for you is down to your own requirements. If you’ve something else on during the event, then an hour is ideal. If you’re looking for the complete party solution then a two – hour party might be the best idea.
| One-Hour Party | Two-Hour Party | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | If you’ve got other activities planned | If you want a complete party solution |
| Structure | Show + games combined into one session | Show, food break with music, then party games |
| Parental Input | May need extra activities afterwards | Fully hosted from start to finish |
| Cost | Lower cost | Slightly higher cost |
| Potential Downsides | Kids can get restless if nothing else is planned | Not ideal for tight budgets |