Have you ever organised a young child's party in a park? (London families)

[NW1mumm]

We are planning a 4th birthday party in one of the Royal Parks. Has anyone ever organised one and can give advice on activities - ways to keep children busy?

I know it's really common to have parties in the parks in London and we see them every weekend in Summer, but we've not been to one ourselves yet so not quite sure what to put in as far as things to do.

I'm guessing 2 hours is plenty. Parents in our child's friendship group always stay, (around 12 children) and we can provide refreshments, party bags etc. What about activities or games?

We've done it but not a London family so not sure can help.

Can you ask the parents in your friendship group?

I wouldn’t. You have to be far more confident of the weather than I’d willingly put bets on at the moment for it not to end up being a total literal washout. I speak from experience: everyone ended up damp and crowded into the park cafe if they had children, or decamping to the nearest pub if childfree. I think it’s fine for e.g. a first birthday where you can set up a small gazebo and everyone is going to be seated, but a gang of 4-year-olds who can’t do the activities they’ve been promised aren’t going to play ball.

Yes, it works really well.

You don’t need much entertainment- the kids run about and have a ball.

I’d take some outdoor toys (balls, collapsing tunnel, stomp rocket etc). possibly have some games eg Grandmothers Footsteps in your back pocket.

Key thing is to find an enclosed, dog free area. That way the kids don’t wander and there’s less chance of poo / dogs going for the food.

While the weather is likely to be a problem at the moment, you just get the kids to play in a playground within the park.

Just check that you are allowed to set up a party on the picnic tables near the playground as some parks have put notices on them banning their use for parties.

We did it in Battersea park a few times.

Make sure you set up near toilets. This is crucial!

We brought sandwiches, some nibbles and cupcakes.

One year we did a superhero Olympics so all kids dressed up and we did tug of war, races, egg and spoon, welly tossing etc.and gave them all a medal and certificate in their party bags.

Another year we just had lots of bubbles. It was a HOT day so we also had those sponge water gun things. Kids were soaked and delighted with themselves.

@SomersetBrie the London families flag was because it's very London specific. I read a thread on here recently where people from outside London were saying that having a kids party in a park was a crazy thing to do and suggesting village halls, and all the London Mums were saying it's a completely normal thing to do.

We've been to a couple on one of the commons (south london). The child's mum had brought a folding table, set out the food, drinks. She also set out a tunnel and tent thing for the kids to play in, bubbles, a few balls etc. Everyone brought their own picnic blanket. It was very nice.

I think the royal parks have funny rules of their own though. So worth checking their website. It might just be that you cant have a table / gazebo so you'd need to put everything on picnic blankets.

Im not sure I'd risk it this year given the rubbish weather though.

Yes, London mum here who’s organised 3 kids parties in our local park. The final time we were almost fined for having a sun shade up. It was 32 degrees and I didn’t want the kids getting sunburnt! Apparently you need a licence. I imagine Royal Parks will have even more rules. So think about where and how you can shelter without constructing anything. We have done badminton in a box, general garden games, hid sweets in trees for hide and seek, had a pinata (clean up thoroughly after) - generally the kids just want to run around together though!

Helpful, thank you. Yes generally the royal parks rules seem to be about not putting up gazebos etc. and keeping numbers below 30. Anything else seems fine. Weather-wise I can see the weather is looking okay for that date though things can obviously change so we will just have a back up plan to text parents on the morning if it's pouring.

Our local park is relaxed. There's a spot near the playground used often. Just bring food and drink, and if there aren't tables and chairs then picnic blankets. Maybe tie some balloo to a tree. Kids don't need much stuff if there's a playground, maybe some balls and things but not loads of organised games unless you want to.

Coram's Fields is a good location for a kids party - there's a sheltered bit in case of rain, we've been allowed picnic tables and it feels safer than other parks due to the no adults rule, and no dogs. But it gets busy on a warm summer day.

I've been to small parties in small local parks - the advantage of this is that you often get most of the space to yourself, and easier to get toys out without random kids wandering over trying to play with them. But play equipment is not as good.

Have attended one party at a large north London park with a magician entertainer. We were asked to bring a picnic blanket each for sitting on, which worked well. Have to admit I'd be too nervous about rain to do a park party, we have Spring birthdays and weather has been variable.

When DS was a bit older we did a really small one in St James Park. It was early days of coming out of lockdown but outside gatherings were permitted. We brought footballs and a kids cricket set so they mostly played with those. We then got pizza delivered to birdcage walk and gave that to the kids.

We then got pizza delivered to birdcage walk and gave that to the kids.

Genius!

@gerhadre I have such lovely memories of Coram’s Fields. My gran lived in Lamb’s Conduit Street and I used to play there with my cousins. I took my children when they were younger.

Party in a park is a great idea - keep it short, low numbers, and we played party games - tying a balloon onto each child’s ankle and they try to pop other people’s while keeping theirs whole was very popular! And a picnic tea, with bottles of water, cartons of juice, crisps, fruit, sandwiches. Nothing chocolate if it’s hot!

DD had a party in the park. I did a treasure hunt with clues leading to a location where the treasure was hidden. The treasure was the party bag item - a unicorn headband for each of them.
Kids loved it.

Yes, I got a takeaway afternoon tea picnic so that I could collect from a shop close by the park - I can PM you the details. It was lovely, all chilled and with cutlery. Didnt supply hot water though so we took thermos’s.

Yes I did it once and the kids just ran about playing their own games and loving it. The weather was like this and everyone wore hoodies and still had a great time

I agree with PPs regarding finding a spot with shade (for sun or rain), not too far from toilets, bringing outdoor toys and generally letting kids run a bit wild. We’ve been to ones where there was a treasure hunt or some kind of sports day vibe such as egg and spoon race. And yes, I would say 2 hours but expect that some will stay longer if it’s a nice day and everyone is having fun.
If there is a 30 people cap, I would be worried you’d hit, especially if both parents come and/or they bring siblings.

Yes we have done one and go to loads each year. Our local park has a dog free section that’s popular for children’s parties. We’ve not done games, usually just some nibbles for children and adults. Sometimes people bring some outdoor games like boules or a football. A table is great if you can manage it, along with a big cool box with lots of ice to keep drinks cold.