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.

@tunbridge

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.

Around here party dresses are still definitely worn. It's a mixture, some dresses, some fancy dress, some leggings etc. It's all chilled out though and nothing too extravagant.

I went for a short dress and tights and it's all good she's actually joining in the rambunctious bit I'm so proud of her. Thanks for the reassurance everyone . I've had a couple of nice chats too

You were all right it's a real mix some tracksuits some sparkly dresses some jeans.

I used to let mine choose:

DD1 would have been tunic and leggings or party dress depending on mood.
DD2 would have been a ballet tutu
Ds would have been shorts and t-shirts.

They all enjoyed soft play in what they were wearing. And as teenagers, dd1 still wears leggings all the time, ds is still always in shorts and t-shirt (even to school) and dd2 does not wear a tutu except under duress.

Mint eldest is just left to attend one, she’s wearing leggings and a nice long sleeve top. And Christmas socks.

I have boys, 4 and 6. They wear their "nice" joggers, t shirt and thin long sleeved top. They hate jeans at any time, and just want to be comfy. They also get very hot! Yesterday we were at a soft play party, the girls had on tights and Jersey dresses mostly.

Glad she’s having a good time. We still find lots of part dresses especially for the hall/bouncy castle type party. Softplay tends to be a tad more practical. Parties anything goes tbh but I’ve had the biggest debates with my daughter around muftidays at school.

Don't worry OP, you can't really get it wrong. Hopefully you're there now or even been and come back, and have found it a much better experience than you'd feared.

I've always just let mine choose with a reminder of the activity and asking them what sort of clothing they think would be appropriate/practical to allow them to take part (with a prompt if needed ie socks/tights for softplay or they won't be allowed to play). At 4yo the kids don't notice what each other are wearing, and as PPs have said, there is usually a huge variety of outfits.
Now-7yo DD1 would have picked the favourite T-shirt, leggings, & tutu combo at that age for a softplay party or similar (now would choose a fancy top and leggings).
5yo DD2 would be a toss up between the first T-shirt and leggings she pulled out of the wardrobe or full-on party dress with tights. But then she will wear a party dress to do the weekly shop 😬 I agree a party dress isn't the best choice, but it isn't a hill I'm prepared to die on, and to be fair to DD2 it doesn't impeed her nor does she complain about it. I buy them second hand from Ebay and DD1 has already worn them too, so I'm not precious about the dresses being damaged.

To the posters saying party dresses are 'out' generally, that is definitely not the case in our area. Most girls will wear them to hall-type parties.

We're home now sitting in the driveway she's having a snooze sleeping off the sugar / excitement. We had one episode of tears at the end not sure why but overall I'd say it was a success. Nice simple way to do a party will keep in mind if I brave it next year on her birthday.