How long should a kids party be?

Two hours is usually enough. The constraint is not the length but the middle — the checklist puts activity planning six days out so that stretch has something in it.

When should return gifts be bought?

Around four days ahead, which is where the checklist puts them. Early enough to swap anything unsuitable, late enough that the final headcount is known.

Plan by occasion

Planning a kids party

A kids party is shorter than an adult one and needs more structure inside it. The gap between arriving and eating is the part that has to be planned, because it will not fill itself.

The full checklist

Timing is relative to the day of the gathering. Mehfeel turns this into real dates once you pick one.

Plan

Decide the guest list 10 days before
Collect RSVPs 1 week before
Set a rough budget 10 days before
Send invitations 1 week before
Plan the food & drinks 5 days before
Plan kids activities / games 6 days before

Buy

Buy food & ingredients 2 days before
Buy drinks 2 days before
Buy decorations 3 days before · optional
Buy return gifts 4 days before

Prepare

Clean & tidy the space The day before
Prep / cook the food The day before
Set up a music playlist The day before · optional

Day-of

Put up the decorations On the day · optional
Chill the drinks On the day
Welcome your guests On the day

After

Tidy up On the day
Thank your guests The day after · optional

What makes this one different

Two tasks exist only here: the activities, six days out, and the return gifts, four. Both are easy to leave until the last day and both are miserable to arrange then.

Let Mehfeel keep the list.

Pick a date and this becomes a dated plan, with invitations and replies in one place — and the circle saved for the next one.

Join early access

Common questions

How long should a kids party be?: Two hours is usually enough. The constraint is not the length but the middle — the checklist puts activity planning six days out so that stretch has something in it.
When should return gifts be bought?: Around four days ahead, which is where the checklist puts them. Early enough to swap anything unsuitable, late enough that the final headcount is known.