Would you consider this birthday party strange?

[FairfaxAikman]

DS is about to turn two but we're postponing a party due to Coronavirus as we'd normally do soft play.

By moving it a couple of months the weather will be better so are thinking about a Forest School party as DS loves the outdoors, followed by food and a chance to change clothes at our home.

Forest School would entail activities and crafts etc outdoors in the woods. It's done regardless of the weather.

Would you go to something like this if invited?

I think you’re mad wanting to do it for a two year old tbh! I’d do a picnic in the park at the most at that age.

It sounds better than softplay

Not sure many of the little friends would enjoy it as much as your ds would.
Can imagine tears especially if the weather isn't great and some little ones will be grumpy in wet, dirty clothes ( my DD would freak out if she had mud on her at that age)

One of the best birthday parties we've been to was a forest school one over the summer. We go to a lot of parties, we've had 10 invites for January alone (drives me mad!) but the forest school one was fun. Lots of little ones loved it also, my 2 year old had a great time running around. They did a few little activities like toasting Marshmallows with help, they mostly ran about and climbed onto logs and played hide and seek. All the parents loved it too, had a very relaxed feel to it all.

Can you host a teddy bears picnic in your garden or local park?

Sounds way to much for 1 and 2 yr olds.
Save that kind of thing for when the dc are old enough to even know it is their birthday, and their choice of party activity.

My DD is 18 months old and adores forest school (they do it at her nursery) and would have a lovely time. They do it in all weathers at nursery (unless dangerous conditions) .

Too young

How is it too young? All the 2 year olds I've known would have loved that.

I'm not asking for opinions on the age of the children - DS does it already and some of his friends do similar - I'm asking for opinions on the style of party.

My dd had a forest school party for her 6th birthday. It had a fairy theme and they had to go through the woods looking for fairies etc, then did a mud kitchen type thing, made a fairy garden, toasted marshmallows on a big fire, colouring. It was during a heatwave so had perfect weather. Was a great party, everyone loved it!

I do forest school sessions for babies and toddlers. Would be a lovely way to celebrate a birthday

I think what myself and some other posters are trying to convey, is yes, the style of the party would be incredibly strange for 2 yr olds, even those that attend some kind of forest school whilst at Nursery. No, it wouldn't be strange to do with 8 yr olds. That is why people are mentioning ages. You did ask if we would consider it strange.

It sounds nice but isn't two a bit young for that sort of thing? Will the kids really understand what they're meant to be doing?

We used to call it 'playing in the garden and then eating cake'

My DD had a Forest School party for her 3rd birthday. She loved it & so did all the other children - all we're around the same age (some were 4, some 2). They did fire lighting (with help obvs), a treasure hunt through the forest & free play in the mud kitchen, scramble net & site. We took the food to the site & are there around the camp fire. A few children found it odd to not dress up for a birthday party but loved it once there & so did the parents.

My son had one of these parties. It was a big hit with the children and adults!

I used to help run forest school for primary age children and they all loved it. I'd send my dc like a shot, rain or shine!

That sounds fab! My neighbours had an outdoor Pirate Party for their daughter in the local woods and it was a lot of fun. They had a pirate treasure hunt amongst the trees, pirate themed picnic, did some outdoorsy craft activities and so on. Everyone said how much they enjoyed it compared to the usual pass the parcel village hall or session at playbarn parties.

This sounds so cool. I don’t even have/want kids and I’d love to attend!

If my 2 year old was invited to this I'd probably try to find an excuse to not go. At 4+ I think it would be a great idea. I wouldn't rearrange yet though until we know more about the future outlook

Great idea for 5year old or older but for a 2 year old why go to so much effort? They won't remember

Our local woods do this kind of party for older kids. They build a den, start a fire and finish with roasting marshmallows.

Personally it's a bit strange for a 2yo party. Surely they are happy with a picnic and bubble machine?