Party not allowed-what now?

[Rainalldaylong]

Hi all,

I posted some time ago about my toddler DD’s first proper party (will be 3)
Where we are (not U.K.) numbers have started rising, still low, but a few times have come back in and one is that they can’t do the party now where I’d planned (outside playground area of restaurant) we had a small bouncy castle booked and the restaurant was catering all the food etc.
The party was due to be next week, I’ll message everyone tomorrow. Luckily I hadn’t had to pay anything for the castle and food etc yet, but her cake is being made and picked up the day before. The party isn’t on her actual birthday as on that day, we’re having it with my parents and I’ll bake her cake (lucky girl 😬😂)
So, basically, I’m left with a cake and no venue. Our garden is a fair size but not big enough and with changes in rules etc, I’m not so sure.
Would it be rubbish to explain the situation to the parents and say I’m going to take her cake to the local playground, it’s by the beach and a large green space under the trees would be nice to put a big blanket out and have the cake, then the kids play in the playground 🤷🏻‍♀️It’s not a party, but is it ok?
Should I still bring their party bags and bubble wands for each of them? They could play with them on the grass and in the playground. I could bring some juice and cupcakes perhaps, but too fussy to do a whole spread there on the grass.
Anyone great at parties/birthdays and what are your thoughts?

Yes definitely! We had a party at a play park last weekend and there was a party already there and then another was arriving as we left (could tell they were parties by the big groups, gifts and balloons!). Each family brought their own picnic then we all had cupcakes and party bags and the kids had a great time (and we all saved money from not hiring the hall and bouncy castle we’d planned).

I did similar for my 4yo this year and all the kids (and parents) enjoyed it. I had sandwiches, snacks and drinks for kids and adults. To make them Covid safe, everything was individually wrapped. I did cupcakes rather than one big cake, and bubble wands in lieu of party bags. It worked really well. And yes she did get presents as it was a birthday party and not ‘just’ a play in the park!

Sounds perfect.

It’s been years since I last hosted a little kids’ party, but tbh the party industry is big business, when at that age it really doesn’t need to be.

Most kids are perfectly happy just to run around and play.

In terms of food, could you make up some of those individual party boxes, that way everything is kept separate and COVID safe. A few sandwiches, a couple of cocktail sausages, a cupcake and a fruit shoot or equivalent, you could doo carrot sticks and such like but in my experience most 3 year olds will eat the sandwiches and ignore the carrot sticks.

My big issue is the food as it isn’t really a large area and it will be pretty fussy to make sandwiches and crisps etc all over the place 😬but then does it seem wrong to invite even and only provide a big cake, cupcakes and juices 🙈should I state in the invite that due to cancellation of the venue, we could go to the small area and I’ll bring cake, cupcakes and juices? I mean it would be at 10.30-11, I’m assuming they’d play then go for their lunch
Not sure if it’s being rude not to provide food though? The playground is right next to an outdoor cafe.

Sounds like exactly what I did for DS for his third birthday, fourth was in full on lockdown, and fifth will likely be very similar. I def do the prosecco for parents, but I know enough of them to know it's welcome, plus proper picnic for the kids and party bags. Bubbles a def win, add some kind of outdoor toys?

@JagerPlease It’s right by the beach and a huge playground with slides, swings etc, would that be enough?

My issue is with food as it’s a small space really where we’d be sat and how to lay it out on a rug? Seems a bit fussy with plates etc? 🤔

This sounds fine to me, more preferable than a bouncy castle with 3 year olds.
I'd do some food the kids though, you can get individual food boxes from Amazon etc like happy meal boxes and put sandwich, cake, juice box, little bag of biscuits etc

What about a big picnic rug or blanket and then make up little picnic food boxes with a sandwich, crisps and cake?

@Rainalldaylong sounds very similar to where I did my DSs 3rd birthday. Just put out a picnic blanket, food in Tupperware, stack of paper plates that children didn't generally use... Just ask parents to bring blankets/chairs if they want them, but they may be happy to sit on grass/sand/stones/whatever the terrain is

@Rainalldaylong how many children would be there?
Just thinking could you do the individual cardboard lunch boxes? That way it’s socially distanced and you don’t need to set anything up on a picnic blanket

What about “bring your own picnic, we have cake to share” - low stress for you, everyone can eat something they like, cake!

@Verbena87 I thought that, but not sure if it seems a bit 🤷🏻‍♀️I mean, I’m hosting the party, I’m not sure of the etiquette with this 🤣

@Idontgiveagriffindamn No definite numbers as some confirmed, but it always the way with play dates, some opt out on the day or are late or I could have a fair few extra coming 🤣the boxes sound good, but it may be easier to have a few large Tupperware with sandwiches, fruit, cupcakes, veggie sticks etc and kids just dig in 🤷🏻‍♀️The snack box is simple in terms of drinks and so on though 😬

I think this sounds great. I am sick of expensive and showy birthday parties and my youngest is now at nursery and people have just been doing meet ups in the park, bring your own picnic and it’s worked really well. Minimum expense for everyone and the kids enjoy it just as much.

My son’s 3 and I prefer bringing our own as I’m less stressed about him refusing to eat unfamiliar things, and I can make myself a really yummy sandwich. I think in current times most people will be fine about it.

I think it’s fine just to provide cake and juice, I don’t think you need to cater as if it was a party. If just text all the people you want to invite and explain you’ve had to cancel the party so instead would like to plan an informal play date at the park to share the cake and get the kids together to mark her birthday. If you’ve already bought the bubble wands and party bags bring them but I wouldn’t go out and buy them otherwise as I don’t think they’re needed. Just make it clear there won’t be any food other than cake and juice as it’ll finish before lunch and then parents can always bring their own snacks if they feel cake isn’t enough.

This sounds really lovely, the kids will love it! Bubble wands to play with in the park and I’d put the cakes in the goody bags to take away. They can all sing happy birthday with the main cake 😊