No drop & run at party: how to word it?

[LilyPlantLove]

Would love some help wording invite for DDs 4th birthday party.

It's going to be at a local park (open space, exits etc). She's our first and I don't know any parents personally who would for a 4-5 year old but we're inviting the whole class (so at the moment no idea of turnout, could be 5 could be 30!), I don't know most of the parents so I just want to make sure it's very clear that parents are to stay with their kids the whole time.

How do I word it kindly but explicitly?

Also, what might be a reasonable amount of time, 1 hr or 2? (We are inviting family etc so will be at the park longer than that but I wanted to give the school kids a specific window to be there so we can do the cake then)

Thank you!

You say: ‘The party will be held in an open space, for this reason the birthday isn’t a drop-off. Please RSVP by xxxxx insert telephone number.’ Obviously the address of the park is on there, so that’s a pretty big clue. Most drop parties are for 6 year olds plus. Also a good idea for you consider if siblings are allowed, since many kids can’t come if their brother/sister isn’t invited, particularly if it isn’t a drop.

People are getting very hung up on 30 families turning up!

I pulled that number out flipantly because it was a standard class size in my mind. But let me clarify (if anyone who's intent on being outraged actually cares to read as clearly some people just need an outlet for their disbelief at the public using public spaces this afternoon):

1. DDs class has less than 30 kids in it, she's at pre-school
2. Even if it did, I guarantee we will get less than half saying yes because of things like availability, logistics, they don't know us that well, they don't fancy it
3. The number was a flippantly used to explain that I don't know the numbers yet
4. and I don't know the numbers yet because I asked for help on wording an invitation, so that I can send it out and subsequently receive RSVPs and have an idea of numbers

@saraclara you would be more than welcome! Seeing as I am clearly organising a mass event, what's 3 more to the thousands gathering! 😂

(4 and 2 😍 they must be so adorable together!)

I used to hold get togethers like this all the time. Can't remember what I said but something along the lines of-please join us in the the park for birthday cake and games ( please stay and supervise your child as it's an open space)

It was brilliant, no tidying up and kids got plenty of fresh air and fun. I used to do a little lunch bag for each child 😊

Hmmm. Advice on specific wording for a celebratory event, that may or may not involve presents? I feel there needs to be a poem involved. I am amazed a MN thread has got so long without this requirement being mentioned! (Unless I've missed it of course).

Come on MNers, I am sure there will be some amazing efforts

@TattooAIBU

Party in the park to keep costs small.
Much cheaper than hiring a hall.
Come one and all to sit on a log,
Don’t worry we’re beside the bog.

Open space and no money spent,
If it rains we have a tent,
Drinks provided and sambos galore,
At our party with no door.

Please do not drop and run,
You will miss out on all the fun,
Keep your kids out of danger,
It can’t be left to the park ranger.

No gifts needed or any of that lark,
It’s just a meetup in the park,
The playground is there all to partake,
We will call you over for the birthday cake.

😂 god bless you

Beware of the CFs who try to still drop. I had a party in our garden for our DD’s 2nd birthday. A nursery mum who I hardly knew brought her 2 year old, she passed me a bag which I presumed to contain a present, she explained that her DD was still struggling with potty training and said bag contained several changes of clothing. At this point I realised she was expecting to D&G. I said she would need to stay, she really wasn’t happy and said I should’ve made it clear on the invitation as she wouldn’t have accepted.
My DD is in her 20s now and I’ve never forgotten it. 🙈🙈

She sounds like a total imbecile!

I never saw her again….

Also another corker when my DD was 3 and invited to a 4 year old’s party, it said on the invitation that ‘no parents were allowed’ as they had enough family to supervise. Err I’m not having any old Tom, Dick or Harry help my 3 year old DD going to the loo. Bonkers IMO

You're on. I've got sharp elbows so I'll make sure we get to the cake before it runs out.

(And yes, they're totes adorable, and I'm not remotely biased!)

That wasn’t a loss! Cheeky woman.

@LilyPlantLove “how do I ensure parents stay at my party in the park?”

Mumsnet: “wtf a party … in the PARK??”

I think it sounds good fun.

FWIW OP I do quite like the sound of a party in the park - anything is better than the hell of a soft play party (or even worse, a gymnastics party - the places always smell like feet!). I was just trying to explain why some people are saying it’s normal and some people think it’s insane to have a party in the park. Like everything on Mumsnet - it’s a “class” thing! (Tongue in cheek, don’t @ me!).
Hope you all have a lovely time and get some sunshine ☀️

Haven't RTFT only your replies and tbh by the sounds of it I really don't want to read it! Josh Widdecombe has had parties in the park for his children and attended similar for his friends children, he talks about it on the parenting hell podcast so it's absolutely a thing that families do and enjoy. I can't understand why it appears from reading your replies so many people are up in arms about it? Anyway I've no advice I just wanted to say I hope you get great weather and your DC and yourself and family have a lovely day celebrating 😊

People did at my oldest DS first class birthday party with 4 year olds.

Oddly the only party people ever did that at all the others someone stayed.

All sounds fine apart from if it pours down and you said would cancel the class

Others have said what to say so I won't do a long one but just say as open space children need an adult to watch them as you can't over see all children in a public space

Obv you need to know numbers so can do food and any party bags

1.5hrs is prob enough. Hour to play. Lunch and cake

How would it not feel 'very nice'?

There's some seriously batshit replies on this thread.

You have a strange idea of 'chaos'!

Surprised by people querying this- lots of people have parties in the park, it’s completely normal.

I’d say something like “We would love to invite you and your child to blah blah. Due to numbers we can’t supervise everyone so please do stay to keep an eye on your child (and have a piece of cake!)” I don’t think anyone will be planning to leave for this age group anyway but it’s best to be clear.

I suspect it’s because posters are basing it on the type of park they know and use. I said previously a large country park is very different from a smaller town or city park where a gathering of (potentially) 70-80 people with (potentially) 30-40 kids from one group using a limited number of play facilities at a weekend would feel a bit overwhelming - certainly the one I went to did, it felt like we’d taken over the park as our own.

Sorry not read the whole thread but can you not put something in about cake/soft drinks being available for parents or something?

If you went somewhere and there was a big group of people, all knowing each other, all doing something together and there was just you, how would it feel?

I come across these types of parties regularly, and have never once felt out of place/that I shouldn't be there/that it's ruined my stroll. Quite the opposite. It gives me faith in human nature. Seeing people connecting, being happy, being social - especially if it's a mixed age or generations group, gives me a warm feeling.