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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have a 5 year old’s party in a park....

85 replies

BadGherkin · 22/05/2021 13:10

AIBU to have a 5 year old’s party in a park which doesn’t have public toilets? It would be for 2 hours (either morning or afternoon, I haven’t decided that yet). It is my DCs favourite park, and is usually not too busy.

OP posts:
BluebellsGreenbells · 22/05/2021 13:54

Pop up tent and a potty for the kids

GintyMcGinty · 22/05/2021 13:55

Age range 3-5 with no toilets is madness.

mowwiththebow · 22/05/2021 13:55

Agree with letting everyone know there are no toilets. I'd also make the timings loose so anyone who doesn't think their child will last can come a bit later but not miss the cake! Like this

Time: roughly 2 to 4pm with cake at 3.30

There are NO TOILET FACILITIES in the park and I know 2 hours might be too long for some, so if you want to join us closer to cake time it's no problem.

TheQueef · 22/05/2021 13:56

This idea sounds hard work. YABU

Terrazzo · 22/05/2021 13:59

Yes good point about other random kids wanting to join in and taking you over the 30 person limit (even outside covid times that would be a bit awks).

traumatisednoodle · 22/05/2021 14:00

And covid police… yes yes, obviously not 30 kids - 27 and 3 adults)

YABU for this alone. 27 dcs between 3 &5 in a park with 3 adults ?!?!!?

SavannahLands · 22/05/2021 14:05

Why does this have to take place in a Park, why not hire a local community venue for a couple of hours? Not only would you have full facilities and protection from the weather should it not be good, but you get somewhere to keep the children safe and away from the temptation to wander off. Some community rooms are free to local council tax payers for non profit making events, others can be had for a very small fee, or use a Cafe that offers children’s Parties in return for you buying refreshments from their menu.

Donitta · 22/05/2021 14:11

SavannahLands groups of 30 aren’t allowed to meet indoors, only outdoors. I second the idea of hiring a space though, perhaps a community centre garden? Otherwise other kids will probably join in and you can’t really stop them in a public park, and if there’s cakes and party bags they’ll probably take some. If you insist on using the park then stickers to identify guests would be a good idea.

Original poster
BadGherkin · 22/05/2021 14:14

It’s just not possible to have it at home, no garden and no inside space for more than about 6 people.

Can’t afford to hire somewhere, hence looking at a park.

Thanks for the reality check, will have to rethink.

OP posts:
Blackdog19 · 22/05/2021 14:14

My dc went to a party like that at reception age, it was fine. Just let people know and maybe cut it to 1.5 hrs?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 22/05/2021 14:15

We did this one - my Dd was 7 but adults still remained. Was great!

Very, very common (as in normal!) thing to do around my way.

UserAtRandom · 22/05/2021 14:18

Plan B in case of rain would bother me more than toilets tbh. You can get round the toilets things by making it more of a casual drop in type thing.

JemimaJoy · 22/05/2021 14:22

I'm also from a town where everyone pees in the bushes at parties in parks, or fields... it wouldn't even register to me that not having loos was a problem. We must be feral 😂

Bonkersornot · 22/05/2021 14:30

We’ve just been to a 5th party in a park ... gazebo up for food/shelter ..... no nearby toilets (but plenty of bushes) ... although don’t think any of them needed it anyway, they were just happy playing and eating!

Htp320 · 22/05/2021 14:36

OP, my friend has done this several times for her DC, if I remember right this first one was when they were 5 (poss 4) and it was lovely. Everyone bought picnic blankets, different picky bits and the kids loved it. So much nicer than a hell hole soft play!

The only difference was there was only about 15 kids. The lack of toilets meant a nature wee for my DD but not a big deal if needed. Limit the drinks, don’t forget a lighter and a knife for the cake and have a lovely time. Black bags a good idea too, better to take your rubbish home than overfill the park bins.

Other parents are capable of preventing their children gate crashing the candle blowing if they aren’t part of the party!

Go for it and enjoy.

Bluntness100 · 22/05/2021 14:40

You need to say if no loos. Some parents and kids could have issues with it. Plus if one needs a poop it’s a bit difficult.

MattDillonsEyebrows · 22/05/2021 14:43

We did this a few weeks ago OP. Didn’t call it a party due to restrictions and didn’t send out formal invitations. However we told a few of DD’s friends it was her birthday and that we were taking a picnic to the park at x o’clock and there’d be birthday cake for her friends.
It turned out to be a lovely afternoon, about 8 of her friends (with parents) turned up, she got presents (really weren’t expecting them) and all the parents said how nice it was as it was the nearest thing to a social event in ages. Everyone socially distanced and it was lovely.
I don’t think any parent would leave a 5 year old at a park party would they? Slightly different if it’s indoors but much it’s harder to keep an eye on everyone outside. Also, I would not want to take anyone else’s child for a wee, nor would I expect anyone to take mine.

LaBellina · 22/05/2021 14:44

That age and no toilets around is asking for trouble. I don’t want to teach my DS that it’s ok to pee in public even if it’s just in the bushes, wouldn’t be happy about this location if I was one of the parents. Also boys might be ok with using the bushes as toilet, girls might not be.

devuskums · 22/05/2021 14:45

@BadGherkin have you looked at scout or brownie huts? I paid £28 to hire my local brownies hq for 3 hours, it had a kitchen we could use, toilets, a self contained big garden and a car park!! I was amazed at how cheap it was.

Santastealer · 22/05/2021 14:49

Go for it! Bring a pop up tent to put a potty in, a gazebo for the food to go under and some games like pass the parcel or a parachute. Make it 90 minutes rather than 2 hours.

GirlCrush · 22/05/2021 14:51

Parents staying, possibly with siblings in tow

And all using the bushes? No, that’s grim

Santastealer · 22/05/2021 14:58

I don’t understand why people think there will be loads of kids needing the toilet?

I’ve been to the park all morning with my 2 year old and 4 year old. Both managed 3.5 hours without needing a wee easily!

Anothermother3 · 22/05/2021 15:06

I’m doing it there are bushes loads of us live within 5 mins of the park. Needs must . It’s a small park nearby so much easier to haul stuff to. Now here’s to hoping the rain holds off.

melodypondisasuperhero · 22/05/2021 15:13

Literally just came back from a 5-year old's birthday party in a park that lasted two hours! No toilets, everyone was fine (didn't see anyone go in a bush but I'm sure they could have if they needed to).

NerrSnerr · 22/05/2021 16:12

My daughter needs the toilet a lot but would still only need to go once during a 2 hour party if she went before we left (and she'd be happy to go in the bushes). I don't think it's a problem, I'd guess that at least 50% of the children wouldn't need to go anyway.

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