To host a kids birthday party in a public park

[FascinateSlashVacinity]

We were on holiday for my son's 4th birthday recently and since we have come home he has crazed me for a birthday party.

I wasn't planning on doing a party this year as he was treated to so much whilst we were away. Pretty much everyday off our 2 week holiday was a birthday for him with presents, all you can eat ice creams, cakes, day trips and late nights etc.

I thought about inviting a handful of friends over for a simple birthday tea but the list of children has now grown to 10+. The idea of that many kids in my house is making me quite anxious. Let alone if every parent decided to drop and dash and leave me to look after them all or the other extreme of 10+ kids plus the respective adults all staying 😵

Also I am a little loathed to make my house ship shape for company only to have it trashed within 2 minutes.

This leads me on to an idea I've been toying with and I'm totally ok to accept that this might not be the done thing.

Could I invite the children with there parents to an afternoon in our local park? I'll provide the picnic food, drinks and ice lollies etc. I'd just kindly ask them to bring either a picnic blanket / chairs and to stay and supervise their children.

It would also tie in nicely with it being the last few sessions of nursery before everyone goes off to their respective schools so would be a nice gathering to celebrate that too.

So would I be unreasonable to rock up to a park and hold a party?

And would you attend such a gathering?

I would obviously let anyone else use the park whilst we are there and tidy up afterwards too.

Loads of people do this - YANBU

Of course it is fine. I have been to many gatherings similar and several birthday parties in parks. I’ve held two in public spaces (one a park) it is fine. And sounds nice !

I used to live abroad and parties in the park were very common. I'm now in London and regularly see parties in Battersea Park, so crack on.

It’s very common in our part of the US to do this and I think it’s a great idea! I’d buy enough picnic blankets for everyone though as not everyone will have one. I’d also plan some games for the children and bring some fizz/beers for the adults if that’s allowed in your local park. And have a plan b in case of rain!

I've seen people do this in the summer and I always thought it was a really clever idea. Yes, I would attend.

Loads of people do it here too, it’s fine!

It’s not only fine, it’s great. I would love to do this but my children have winter birthdays so I have to blow a load of cash on a venue because I don’t have the stomach for hosting 20 or so preschoolers and as many parents at home.

Yep totally fine and lovely

We’ve been to parties like this before. Really the only potential problem is the weather!

I live in the UK - my son is the summer is regularly invited to parties in the park. It’s not unusual! Just risky here with the weather. But they’re great. Loads of games etc

Well it’s ok but the weather could piss on your parade!

Yeah it’s fine. Just take a stick to keep the tramps away.

Thank you everyone

You've put my mind at rest and I'll get planning on the food, drinks games etc.

Lovely idea. You are lucky to have a summer child. I have three autumn/winter and can never risk this kind of party.

Of course! But make it clear it's for the other kids and their parents to stay with and siblings too. You dont want to be responsible for 10 x 5 year olds in the park.
Open it up to families make extra party bags for siblings
Say what you will provide e.g. "I m going to bring a cake crisps and fruit and balls and bubbles so feel free to bring anything else for your kids"

People also take a small pop up pagoda picnic tables etc

of course it's fine

but "I would obviously let anyone else use the park whilst we are there and tidy up afterwards too."

interesting phrasing - "let" others use the park. I remember a thread about a woman who was angry that her local small garden wasn't open past a certain time. When you say "park" you are talking about a "park" right?!

I see quite a few of those in my local park so it's not uncommon. Just don't be like the obnoxious group I saw who had decided the "keep off the grass" signs didn't apply to them and were happily letting their kids destroy the beautiful planted gardens that the park's gardeners had been slaving over for weeks. The kids might have been too young to know better but the parents definitely knew.

If either of mine had summer birthdays, I’d do this. Why not? You might need a Plan B if it chucks it down though.

I think it would be lovely. I would have plenty off "stuff" for them to do other than use the park, swings, slides etc. Things like footballs, skipping etc. Maybe a treasure hunt if that was easy to arrange.
I would also have a wet weather plan, just in case.

My mum did this with me, even though I had an autumn birthday! Our houses were shoe boxes but I grew up in a place where there was low rainfall so even if it was freezing they could rug up...a risk my mum was willing to take. I mean she could have had it at our house but it would just be extremely squashed.

Our kids are born in winter so that was a no in the UK, but we are in Aus now so their birthdays are in summer. I already want an outdoor party for DS2 Just have to convince him because I don't think I could bare another soft play party...

Will you be taking Supersoakers...?

Lovely idea! Hope you have a great time

Please take large bin bags with you and take your rubbish home as it obviously won’tfit into the tiny park bins. This weekend we’ve had tons of parties in our local park amd we can tell because the plates and decorations have been abandoned in the park :(. Other than it’s a great idea.

(Supersoakers www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/569630-super-soaker-etiquette-at-parties )