What do kids wear to a soft play party?

[bettys9thleg]

My dd is going to her first birthday party this afternoon for a boy in her nursery. She's four. It's at a soft play do kids tend to wear party dresses when they're doing something physical like that? Or do you send them in something more comfy / practical like leggings and top? I know it's daft to worry about this but I don't want her to be the odd one. She's has a learning disability and some physical disabilities so I already feel like she's the odd one out enough already. Advice of the mumsnet hive mind appreciated.

Go for practical especially if she is likely to struggle physically anyway keep it to what works for her.

You can always use a pretty top with leggings so still a bit dressy

We'd take DD on leggings and a top. Things she can climb in. We'd use her nicest leggings/top combo, and occasionally shed wear a tutu skirt over the top of the leggings. But comfort and practicality were the main priorities.

I wouldn’t put her in a party dress. Leggings and a tunic or nice top.

She will probably get sweaty so layers are good, be prepared for her to get grubby.

Given her condition, I would say dress her however she will be comfortable

in* leggings and a top

Bloody hell. She'd not she'd.

I give up 😂😂

Oh the tutu is a good idea we could do that then take it off when she goes into the soft play bit.

Yeah leggings & t.shirt with a long sleeve t shirt/top that she can take off (named makes life easier!!). Nothing fussy that'll get caught on things.

Ours always went in comfy clothes to a soft play party - leggings and a top, or a comfy jersey dress with tights if they really wanted to. Hope your DD has a fabulous time!

We threw a softplay party for our son in the summer. Everyone dressed practically and no-one wore a dress.

Soft dress (knee length or shorter) with leggings underneath is practical.

Thanks guys I was going to go practical but then I started doubting myself I didn't want her to be the only non sparkly one.
The parents are just in jeans / jumpers / trainers right? God I am ashamed of how anxious I feel about this

...I don't think I've ever seen a child wear a "party dress" to a birthday party, no matter the activity. Kids wear whatever they wear for normal activities, usually joggers or leggings and t-shirts.

Yes I think parents usually dress casual/practical as well, especially if you might have to crawl or climb to help a child in the soft play area. It’s not like an adults’ party where you might dress up more.

It's absolutely normal to feel anxious. (The year my daughter (well I) got the shoes wrong for the school disco when she was 5 has never been forgotten by me... )
Leggings and top - nice if you have them e.g. not the holey paint splattered ones she wears to preschool. Long sleeve top or cardigan as some soft play say they need that that the slide. For you, jeans, a top and a smile. Have fun.

I honestly wouldn't worry about her not wearing what the others wear at a soft play patty. If it's a party in a hall then some will wear party dresses, some will be dressed like little adults and others will be in leggings. If it's fancy dress there will be lots of spidermen and Elsa's.

My 7 year old has always had fixed fashion ideas and when she was younger there'd be a fancy dress party full of Frozen etc and she'd happily run around at Catboy. There was never any negativity from the other children- they're too young to care.

Honestly, don’t worry about this. Parents will be in casual clothes (and frazzled, worrying about their own children, not what you’re wearing). Kids will be in their nicest comfies (or, if they’re my children, in jogging bottoms and fleeces regardless of the event )

I'm a very firm believer that girls do not wear dresses to any type of party (or in general). They can't play properly, especially at softplay. Both of my children 2 & 4 are at a school with a uniform and they wear the boys blue joggers and not the girls ridiculous long dresses. Sexism at its finest.

DD’s 4th birthday was recently at a gymnastics centre and the girls were in a mix of leggings or joggers and tops, short dresses over leggings and some party or Elsa dresses. It was a really mixed bag and I wouldn’t worry about being the odd one out in any way. Hope she has a lovely time!

Comfy and t shirt , they get boiling!

Make sure she has trousers and socks on, she won't be able to go 9lb the equipment without socks.

From my experience there is always a mix of leggings/tops and dresses.

My DD(5) lives in tutus and sparkly things, its her every day style so she is always one of the more done up kids lol. She will wear leggings or tights and a sequin Tshirt with a tutu style or sequined skirt pulled over no matter what the type of party.

I wouldn’t wear anything past the knees as it will get caught when climbing. So either short dress and leggings or top and trousers. My DD likes to wear something pretty/sparkly still. I think you mentioned tutu? That would fine as long as short. Parents just wear whatever they want! Have fun.

Party dresses are a thing of the past. Now they wear football kit (all sexes), Disney princess costumes, and joggers or leggings with colourful jumpers.

Agree with PP that, on the other hand, tutus and impractical glittery footwear are worn to Tesco daily.

How could I forget the SEQUINS. They’re on bloody everything, ideally the colour-change kind.