January park/something allowed birthday?

[drspouse]

DS is 9 in early Jan so we are at the stage of two friends for pizza and the cinema really but a) I have no idea what tier we're going to be in come January and b) the other parents might not be happy with that even if it's allowed.
He's had an absolutely rotten year but is just starting to say he'd like to do SOMETHING for his birthday. Question is, what?
DD had a Zoom party with musical statues but he's a bit old for that. And her friend with an August birthday had a glorious afternoon playing on the swings with drinks for the adults.
He has ADHD and generally needs a run around! Added complication is that I can't be completely sure that his friends' parents have cars so not a remote beach.

Do you have a garden? What about buying a cheap projector and having a drive-in movie in the garden? You could provide a slightly spaced out card by at for each child with a cushion/blanket and hotdogs/popcorn? If it’s darkish you could play balloon badminton with light up balloons instead of a shuttlecock? Glow sticks/torches named to take home and if they’re sensible enough roasting marshmallows and s’mores before they go?

Cardboard cars not “card by at” sorry long day!

We don't have a garden and if we are in Tier 3 it's parks only for meeting anyway, sorry!
Glow sticks in any form will be a hit and I hadn't thought of glow balloons but that is also likely to be popular.

Would he be interested in an outdoors activity like kayaking or horse riding?

I’d forgotten it has to be a public place. Mine loved light up balloons and glow sticks at that age. (Nb if you put tonic water in the sun it glows in the dark after a few hours ....people make jelly out of it. I would imagine it tastes revolting ). What about a treasure hunt? Or scavenger hunt? We used to do a game “how many things can you fit in a match box” when I was a kid in the 70s.

@Blankiefan

Would he be interested in an outdoors activity like kayaking or horse riding?

Maybe... I hadn't thought actually that those type of providers may still be running parties, though maybe not in Jan!

I remember that game 5!

Do you live in or near a city? You can get treasure hunts online that use local landmarks. I did a great one in London that involved looking for graffiti and things.

Or if you’re good at that sort of things you could design one yourself. Would they be happy doing it in fancy dress or something to make it more of a ‘thing’v

Online escape room?

Go ape? If they're open? I'm not sure but my DC love it there. Only been twice though as it's quite pricey. But a nice treat for a birthday. Flask of hot chocolate and birthday cake for after.

I thought go ape as well. We did it in October and kids really enjoyed.

We have a Go Ape about an hour away and I've thought about taking the DCs but it's so far and in the middle of nowhere so I fear some of the families won't be able to get there (normally we'd just car share but that won't be allowed).
I fear the same may be true of other outdoor providers (I've just found one at a nature reserve, about half an hour away, £200 minimum for up to 20 children but I don't think he has 20 friends!)

Treasure hunt sounds great - there's a town trail in our town but they may prefer getting muddy in the park with a DIY trail. They might well be all scavenger-hunted out with multiple lockdowns/home learning!

Some of his friends also have SEN and they vary between "all out mad for fancy dress" to "wear school uniform on weekends because they like routine" and I don't know which ones he'll invite. I will also probably have to provide gloves/torches in the party bags just in case (DS is awful for I DON'T NEED MY GLOVES and insisting he won't take them and then complaining he has cold hands).

@CRbear

Online escape room?

I have never tried this! I can see there are some free ones to try so we could have a go before deciding.

I think all his friends' families will have internet but some may just have phones.

If your in a park in the gloom party hats/gloves/umbrellas are an excellent idea because it makes it easier to find everyone. I think your problem will be if it rains.

The park I'm thinking of has shelters so I think we'll be OK for eating as long as the kids don't mind running around in the rain!