10-12
And keep it simple for the kids. Please no magicians or entertainers! Last two parties we went to had this and there were a bunch of crying two year olds. It was too much.

A bunch of simple toys, stuffies, and books, basic snacks, then cake. Or if outside, bubbles, chalk.

Ideally 11am-1pm for me

At age 2 I definitely would prefer the morning slot but I would move it even earlier, like 10am-12pm.

Op here, thanks for the replies. Morning birthday it is, and I’ll cut down the time.

I’d say 10am-12pm. I’d need to go home, probably feed a bit more lunch bc my kids never ate at parties and then try to get them down for a nap before 1pm.

So 10am-12 and serve cake at 11:30am.

Morning, but 2.5 hours is much, much too long. 90 minutes is best, 2 hours at most.

I’d strongly prefer the morning time. My 2yo was iffy about naps so half the time she was tantrumy and miserable to be around by 4pm. I always try to do morning playdates when possible too because every time I’ve tried to schedule an afternoon one the kids refuse to cooperate with naps — one refuses entirely and the other sleeps until 4 and then the refusing kid will need to go to bed soon. Mornings are much easier for me. (But this is not universal! I have morning hating friends who have night owl kids and friends who put their toddlers in morning activities like language classes and swimming and baby soccer so who knows.)

Probably the morning time unless you indicated ok to show up whenever for afternoon time. We can still be napping close to 4pm so wouldn’t want to wake her up from nap early. You probably would have people leave early for the morning time though.

DC is 23.5 months and was just with a friend today (with 2,5 yo) who was so happy that the birthday party they were going to was at 5pm

I am planning to have my two year old's birthday in my home, but I'm unsure what time would be best. DC's nap time is usually around 1-3 so I figure I can either do it from about 10:30am - 1pm or 3:30pm - 6pm. Regardless of the time, there will be proper food for adults and kids(if they like it), and then cake would probably be served about and hour after the food.

What time would you prefer? I'll tell the parents the approximate timing of the cake in case they just want to come by closer to that time. I have family coming so they are the only people I expect to show up on time and leave later.