Outdoor party in February

[FannyBazaar]

We have a tiny house and garden so my current plan is to have an outdoor party for DC's 7th birthday in the park across the road. Due to all the stuff I'm planning on taking and bringing back, setting up and packing up, splitting between tiny house and park seems unworkable.

Is it possible other children will be too precious to run around outside for 2 hours in February?

If it's really bad weather, plan is panic lots, scream and curse I guess we have no choice but a house party.

Well... it seems to have snowed each February for the last 5 or 6 years IIRC... could you fit a marquee in the garden, with heaters?

I think 2 hrs is probably too long, I think you are likely to get some grumpy kids, you also need to make it very clear on invites that hats, gloves and coats are needed. We often drop dd in car and go out for special time with younger ones if she is @ party, I wouldn't necessarily bring a coat. Also need to make sure not in best clothes, one of the boys in dd class always turns up to parties in a suit!!

Could you do an hour or so of outside games, then get each child to bring something back to house and do hot chocolate and party food on a picnic mat at home? That way they all warm up a bit before parents return and the games have a rosy adventurous glow rather than a grumpy 'I'm cold and want to get home' feeling. It is tough, I have two dd with feb birthdays and a small house, we either go for big parties in hall or this year trying v small party at home. Maybe limit the numbers a bit in case it does all have to be inside at last minute. I think you will get away with snow more than rain even though is colder.

Why don't you hire a hall , doesn't cost much for a village hall
What will you do about food, toilets if it's outside?
It's not too bad if you've got something organised like a football coach coming

Could you make it a treasure hunt so that they're not hanging around much outside? Then have food crammed back at your home?

P.s intrigued about all the things you are planning to take and set up/pack up now! At least if you do food + party bags at home you don't need to bring them with you.

You also need to think about where to ask parents to drop children - in the park or at your house. If at your house expect some to be a bit late, though if in park what do you do with presents if raining/drizzling. Can oh or someone help with ferrying some of the stuff back home during the outside bit?

Thanks for the feedback. A marquee in the garden is out, it's tiny, closest to a marque would be the 3 man tent!

Toilets, hmm, I am considering the folding potty in case of desperation or failing that a grown up to escort anyone in need back to the house.

I will say on the invitations that it is in the park, summer birthday parties are most often in the park round here.

There will be a treasure hunt, cardboard castle and a few running around games.

I've thought about bringing hot drinks in thermos pots, food, cake, a picnic table, table cloth, balloons, bunting, decorations. I've picked my spot near a couple of evergreen trees for grown ups to shelter under.

I have decided that in case of snow, some changes to games and bum board races to be held. Might need another bum board or will the tea tray do?

I guess I'll need a couple of grown up helpers and am thinking that if we can organise a quick pack up while kids have a few minutes in the playground, we might be able to end at home. Just need to recruit some grown ups. Getting stuff to a hall and back is probably more complicated.

Why not do jacket potatoes (no need for fancy fillings, just butter/marg and maybe grated cheese?) and keep them in a cool box (or borrow a cool box) for insulation? You can also keep sausages hot in Thermos flasks. If you pause for something warm halfway through then hot chocolate when they return to yours they shouldn't get too cold (plus all the running around).

Could you actually put the tent up in the park and stuff it with blankets/sleeping bags as somewhere for the very cold/adults to snuggle if necessary?

Some good ideas there Charmingly. I have a cool box, I think the hot dogs might go down better than baked potatoes as can't see them staying still enough to eat with a fork.

I was wondering about tent in park but pictured a warden coming over to tell us we can't camp! I do have a much bigger tent but that requires more helpers to put up.