Children's parties as we open up

[mrsknottschicken]

My DD is an only child and has missed interacting with other kids during the various lockdowns. She is really excited because she has been invited to 2 parties in the coming weeks (they're all after the next roadmap date of 17 May).

One is in someone's house and she is the only guest. I feel very happy about this as I know the parents and they've been very cautious, following all the rules.

The other is at an indoor play area and then a cafe (also indoors). The parent has invited 5 or 6 children, but I think this will break government guidelines because there will be at least one parent there as well. Me and DH have had one vaccine more almost 4 weeks ago. This other parent has had 2 jabs. She is not a rule flouter or covid denier but she is more relaxed than me. I think she may have misunderstood the rule of 6. I also feel a bit weird about the indoor play area. It's definitely not somewhere I'd choose to take my child right now. At the same time, I don't want her to miss out.

At the risk of getting flamed, how would other people here feel about the second party?

So potentially 7 people rather than 6? Seems like a non-issue tbh. And is a play centre that much different from the school classrooms they’ll all have been mixing in for weeks already?

I mean, it’s up to you to make your own risk assessment; but as risk goes, it seems minimal.

I would absolutely let her go.

I would let DC go.

If it was my kids, I wouldn't have any issue with it.

At youth groups, we've been allowed 15 children inside for a while now (could be more, but we have less than 15 currently). So potentially, 5 unrelated adults, and 15children from different schools.

6kids at a birthday party probably from the same class seems rather sane, even with a couple of parents.

The 7 rather than 6 people wouldn’t bother me at all.
The indoor play area will have probably never been so clean, so best time ever to attend a party in one.

Thank you for not shouting at me . I think you're all quite right! (We've already said yes to the invite anyway.)

Agree with others.

We've been invited to a whole class party (so 30 kids) and they've exclusively hired a venue. Pre 21 June and can't work out if it's allowed.

Any thoughts?

The indoor play area will be fine, if you booked on to a play session there would be more than 6 anyway. The cafe afterwards there might be more of an issue if there is more than 6, as the cafe might turn the group away . That's the hosts problem though.

@SlumMumBum

Agree with others.

We've been invited to a whole class party (so 30 kids) and they've exclusively hired a venue. Pre 21 June and can't work out if it's allowed.

Any thoughts?

30 in a booked hall isn't allowed, and you will be risking fines for going. But if it's something like soft play or an activity it might be ok as play sessions are allowed and children's activities allowed.

Are they in school together all day anyway?

I would say yes to the parties.

I'd be fine with it. DS has a mid June birthday, he wants a trampolining party and I'm hoping we can have it after the 21st and invite as many children as he wants.

@SlumMumBum

Agree with others.

We've been invited to a whole class party (so 30 kids) and they've exclusively hired a venue. Pre 21 June and can't work out if it's allowed.

Any thoughts?

I have been researching this as also trying to organise a party within this timeframe. I think it is but to be strictly within the guidelines it would be 30 people INCLUDING PARENTS but not including under 5s or facilitators. We are doing a back garden party for my son and hoping for the best weather-wise. Deliberately just inviting some kids from his class at school so that the parents hopefully agree that the risk is minimal (if outside this is wholly within the rules).

to answer OP though, yes definitely.

I am thinking giving another child a lift to an activity in the same car as our family would be ok now? (also birthday related). The child is in the same class as my DC and they spend almost all day together, so not a new contact.

@herecomesthsun I would assume so as the car is "indoors" and you're allowed 6 people or 2 households indoors.

Im Planning an early June party for my child, it will be outdoors and was going to invite the class but didn't even think that all of the children would have an adult with them, potentially doubling the numbers.
Will have to cull the numbers of invites.

Yes, I was thinking the car might be "indoors"! My husband was a bit dubious though.

Yes, I was thinking the car might be "indoors"! My husband was a bit dubious though.