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

[BadGherkin]

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.

Of course it's normal for families to take their children out and not need a toilet but with many children together there are going to be plenty that do. And not all just need wees! We camp/hike so aren't averse to a nature wee but if I were to throw a party without facilities I'm sure it would be a problem for some.

Maybe send a message out to mention the lack of toilets so that children or parents who need quick toilet access can be forewarned.

@acquiescence

We went to a party for a 5 year old just like this today. Local park, no toilets, woods nearby. No one even considered the toilet issue I don’t think? Kids just go in the bushes and adults hold on. We were there for 2.5 hours. There are pubs and cafes within 10 mins walk if needed. It’s near to their school so everyone knows the park so there was no need to mention on the invitation. It was v informal, no games or anything, just a table with cake and drinks. The kids at this age don’t really remember proper parties and they were all so happy to just run around with their friends playing. It worked well. There were probably around 15-20 kids and parents all milling around. The invitation made it clear it was informal and to just pop in at some point during the afternoon.

This is what I was envisioning - just with a few games and a few platters of food (or little boxes for each child).

There are train station toilets about 400m away and a shopping centre with toilets about 600m away.

Anyway, I will investigate any local venues that charge less than the council fee here equivalent to £93 per hour (min of 2 hours) to reserve a designated spot at a park with more facilities.

I appreciate all the suggestions and advice. Thanks.

Both my DC (7 and 10) and most of their friends had their birthday parties in the park over the last year. It's the local park we all always go to and we all know there are no toilets. The parties lasted 2 hours, possibly more, and all was well. That's about time a normal trip to the park lasts anyway.
Parents should be able to last and children can pee behind trees if they need to. Nobody has needed to at any of the park parties I've been at.

Anyway, I will investigate any local venues that charge less than the council fee here equivalent to £93 per hour (min of 2 hours) to reserve a designated spot at a park with more facilities.

@BadGherkin: I would save your money. IRL I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t take their kids to a playground for 2 hours without loos.
All our local playgrounds don’t have loos and are busy all day long. It wouldn’t even cross my mind with a 2.5 and 4.5 year old to not go to a playground because there isn’t a loo.

Can’t believe what an issue this is to some people.

Also very surprised by all the negativity, surely people take their children outside to a location without toilets for two hours fairly regularly?! I would perhaps make it clear on the invitation just so people know if they aren’t familiar with the location. I have also never encountered a young child who doesn’t love an alfresco wee!

@PoppenhuisStories

Also very surprised by all the negativity, surely people take their children outside to a location without toilets for two hours fairly regularly?! I would perhaps make it clear on the invitation just so people know if they aren’t familiar with the location. I have also never encountered a young child who doesn’t love an alfresco wee!

Ha - yes exactly!! My two loved any opportunity for a wild wee!

People have been doing this in our local park since last summer. It's annoying there are no toilets but that's true of each and every trip there anyway. Very few parks here have toilets anymore. There is a popular bush!

Will halls be available by the time your DC is 5?

I think it will be great! It often happens around where I live and did pre covid too. It's very common. Have some balloons/bunting to hang from trees (if there are some beside where you'll be based) and then others using the park will know it's a planned party gathering and won't let their own kids join in so can't see that being a problem.

Bring a few rugs or blankets for sitting on and maybe suggest the kids bring a small teddy each and make it a teddy bears picnic. At that age, a parent will stay so you won't have hoards of kids to mind on your own.

Just definitely mention on the invitations that there are no toilet facilities so parents are aware beforehand. How many times have we all brought our young kids for a picnic somewhere with no toilet facilities? And we've all managed fine. I really think you should go ahead and do it. Those types of parties are lovely, especially for that age group. If parents want to leave before the 2 hours is up, that's fine too. Go for it!!