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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

6th birthday - how to celebrate in a covid world?!

48 replies

justdontgothere · 26/08/2020 10:40

Sorry, not sure if right place to post...

DS 6th birthday is coming up in a few weeks time, and I'm going round in circles over what to do! Obviously, covid is restricting our options, so a big hall party or similar is out of the question, but I'd like to do something that makes a bit of a fuss as he's done so well this year and had so much cancelled (trips to disneyland and legoland, among other things).

No AIBU, but more asking for ideas. What have others done to try and provide something fun and special within all the ever changing restrictions?

For context - we've got a big family and there's a certain degree of expectation to invite all of them to anything we organise. Within that is c. 8 cousins. He's starting to form some decent friendships in school, and has a couple of friends from pre school as well. Expecting the numbers and logistics to be a problem, but can address that once we're happy with the plan. This is where covid might become a help and not a hindrance, of course... 😉

OP posts:
Findahouse21 · 26/08/2020 10:42

We're hiring a hot tub for 4 days over the weekend for dd's 6th birthday. Then we will invite small groups round eg my family, dh'ss family and a couple of groups of friends.

BeardieWeirdie · 26/08/2020 10:44

My child will be 6 in November. Weather pending, I think we’ll do a group bike ride from the house, and have a snack and cake picnic. How about the zoo? Covid is an excellent reason (excuse!) to tone down big birthdays/weddings etc and say that this year your child is inviting 3 or 4 friends only.

dangerrabbit · 26/08/2020 10:47

We had a big playdate in the part for DD1s birthday with lots of food.

dangerrabbit · 26/08/2020 10:47

Park

Original poster
justdontgothere · 26/08/2020 11:13

@Findahouse21 ah that sounds fun! Unfortunately wouldn't suit us as I don't think DS is able to use hot tubs for medical reasons.

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Original poster
justdontgothere · 26/08/2020 11:17

@BeardieWeirdie yes definitely will help with restricting the numbers where we want to! Haha. I thought about zoo, our closest one has not been much good with social distancing measures, and I'm not sure what the protocol would be about inviting friends - I'd assume we'd be expected to pay for any without a pass, not sure my DH will be keen on that.

@dangerrabbit a park party has crossed my mind. Very weather dependent for late Sept/early Oct, so would feel the need for a back up plan. But I guess that's the way of things this year isn't it! How many did you invite along? I'm out of touch with the current guidelines.

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InvincibleInvisibility · 26/08/2020 11:22

We celebrated DS2's 6th birthday just after they went back to school post lockdown (not UK). Having 5 friends round to play was the biggest treat ever! We set up all his playmobil and they had a blast with that and other toys.

For his actual day (lockdown) I did a "feast". Ie. A table FULL of all his favourite foods (most wasnt eaten and was put back into packets - no waste). The look on his face was worth it.

Parties in the park work really well here. We always start with races and obstacle courses to wear them out. Then lots of games that include adults chasing them which kids adore.

If you have lots of family Id divide into different themes or part of a huge treasure hunt. Could he hunt for clues with different parts of the family and at the end find his presents? You might have to spread it over a few days

Findahouse21 · 26/08/2020 11:23

@justdontgothere could you investigate similar private hire options such as bouncy castle or soft play for your garden maybe? Or a glamping tent

Original poster
justdontgothere · 26/08/2020 11:31

@InvincibleInvisibility Ahh that sounds great! Yes I think it will have to be stretched out. Some lovely ideas, thank you!

@Findahouse21 oh good shout, I'll do some research. Thank you!

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Penguinnn · 26/08/2020 12:48

Just at your house maybe? Most people seem
To be acting normally now and not really sticking to the 6 person bubbles?

TheSoapyFrog · 26/08/2020 12:51

My boys turned 6 in August. On the day before we went to Chessington world of adventures and on the day we went to the beach and then to my mum's for a bbq and pool party.

olivesnutsandcheese · 26/08/2020 13:00

My son turns 8 on Saturday. We're having 3 friends to play. We've bought laser tag guns and if ok they'll play outside if it's wet, inside and followed by 4 player Mario kart and pizza. Basically any friends coming round is a treat. Why don't you do a few playdates, school friends and a couple of cousin ones so they don't get too big

Topsy44 · 26/08/2020 13:00

My DD was 8 this year and her birthday fell right in the middle of lockdown so it was just the 2 of us on her birthday. Last week I said she could have a mini party and could invite 3 friends over due to Covid. We did the traditional games and had a pinata in the garden. DD loved it and felt alot less stressful for me!

GigantosaurusRex · 26/08/2020 13:06

We've had a good deal on Butlins for the week before his birthday. It's worked out not much different to what we paid for a party etc last year but we get a long weekend away. We had talked about bowling as his birthday treat so we might do that too with just his best friend. Birthday date and age seems similar from what you say.

LordGribeau · 26/08/2020 13:09

DD1 was 7 in April during lockdown. We had a girly home pamper day and a family tea party. DD2 was 6 in July and we had a family day out to a local farm park. No parties this year, they seem to have accepted that though. They were both still made a fuss of on their special day.

Original poster
justdontgothere · 26/08/2020 13:11

@Penguinnn our house is not an option if we have to go down the inviting everyone route, it just wouldn't work. If we split into smaller groups that'll be fine, though.

@TheSoapyFrog I've looked at Chessington or possibly Digger Land. Definitely a good idea for a treat for DS, would just need to decide whether to do something with his friends / our family as well!

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Original poster
justdontgothere · 26/08/2020 13:12

@olivesnutsandcheese @Topsy44 something along these lines probably seems the most sensible. Will just have to clear a weekend and maybe after school to fit the different groups in - but DS would no doubt love having lots of things going on! Grin

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Original poster
justdontgothere · 26/08/2020 13:14

@GigantosaurusRex I was trying to convince DH to do a weekend away, but because of redundancy he feels it's not a good idea to spend the money. Annoyingly, he's probably right!

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Original poster
justdontgothere · 26/08/2020 13:16

@LordGribeau you're right, there are ways of making a fuss without a party. I'm a classic overthinker with this kind of thing, and have it in my mind that although we can't do a more traditional party I'd still like to do something for him. Might be something to do with the fact that I'm not working at the moment so it'll give me something to do/plan when he goes back to school..... Wink

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GigantosaurusRex · 26/08/2020 13:17

@justdontgothere we tripled up our tesco club card vouchers which covered most of the cost (but then we upgraded accommodation) and we will be taking him out of school for 2 days. There are some very good deals to be had in sept/Oct but I do appreciate DHs concerns about redundancy.

Flynn999 · 26/08/2020 13:28

We hired a bouncy castle over the weekend for ds and had his friends over whilst taking into account the amount of people who were allowed to come. We did mcdonalds for the kids food, then family came over the next day (again in groups). He got about 5 parties out of it. He had a blast.

Alternatively if you want to do something with his friends but don’t want to do something at home, do a party in the park, the kids can play on the equipment, then have cake etc at the end? Set up a little area with some balloons, party hats etc.

bookmum08 · 26/08/2020 13:34

To be honest at that age a giant cake, favourite food for tea (literally favourite - if that's a crisp sandwich then it's crisp sandwiches for tea) and all the ice cream you can eat plus some cool presents is all you need.

Nextity · 26/08/2020 13:38

Have you got a local forest school/wildlife trust which does parties? They could do you an outdoors woodland party. Even if it rains, they can go under the tarp and do crafts or light a fire if it is cold etc.

NemoRocksMyWorld · 26/08/2020 13:48

I had 3 with lockdown birthdays: ds2 turned 6 in april, dd1 turned 9 in May and ds1 turned 11in July. I spent a little more on presents. We did a birthday tea and they coups give me a shopping list for everything they wanted and we did a little family party (just the 6 of us) with dancing, games and pinata and little party bags for the four children. And they all had pancakes for breakfast and got to have the first pancake.

We usually do big whole class parties so was a bit of a change but alot more relaxed for me and they seemed pleased and excited.

Original poster
justdontgothere · 26/08/2020 13:49

@Flynn999 someone above suggested something similar - I'm taking a look into it, it's a very good idea. Thank you!

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