4 yr old b'day party in a park - good idea or not?

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I'm thinking of holding my daughter's 4th birthday party in a public park that has swings, slides etc. Would be for 2 hours (10-12noon) and I would put out a picnic rug with crisps, chocolate, drinks and birthday cake as well as party bags.

I'm worrying it won't feel like a party though. Has anyone else done a party like this? If so, do you have any tips for making it work?

Thanks so much!

I think it sounds lovely. I would worry a bit about the weather though.

I had a party in a park when my dd was three.

Take balloons to tie in a tree or get the helium ones to add some festivity and make it look like a party.

We had a piñata. I made it out of a balloon with paper mâché.

I did plan games but they were happy to just play.

I too would worry about the weather, maybe put something on invitations about change of plans if it rained.

I have been to a party in the park for one of dd's friend, it was great, flasks of tea to go with cake for the mums .

You need to have a contingency plan for the rain.

You also need to consider that a park is a public area, so if other children decide they want to help themselves to your food / join in your game, you may have to deal with it.

I'm considering this too, and having it be there even if it's raining! I plan to write something about dressing appropriately for the weather and it'll only be called off for a serious storm or high winds.

I think it is a lovely idea but would probably book a hall with grounds so that you can go inside if it is raining heavily, without having to alter plans - two hours is a long time for children to get wet even if appropriately dressed.

True, it is a long time if it rains steadily the whole duration. However, outside space isn't the same as having a playground. I do know somewhere close by to our park that could be used for serving food if it's a total wash out, but nothing like a hall with a playground. I wish more parks had shelters that you could hire like you find in North America.

Hmm..very weather dependent, and if where you are is anything like here atm, it's dicey.

We are doing this for my ds who is going to be 4! I have said that we will go to local soft play if weather is awful (we will just turn up and play rather than book a party there).

I have planned a picnic, a few games, taking face paints and thats it.

I wouldnt worry about the other children using the park. It would be very unusual for a child (and their parent) to expect that they should be able to join in with the picnic and games of a group of people they do not know! We ahve done lots of parties in local parks and that has never happened!

I would recommend a plan b in case it rains though!!

My ds is very excited about his park party! Im just hoping the good weather holds!

We did give another child in the park a slice of birthday cake, he was young and looked with wide eyes, his parents were surprised we offered but very grateful. I don' think they expected it but it was polite in the situation.

I wonder if you can put up a pagoda (I think that is what they are called) in the park as shelter.

Well the rain put a stop to Ds party in the park today! We held the party at home instead. Lots of food, lots of party games and we did get outside for a short time for some fresh air and races (egg n spoon, running race, scooter races) it was good fun, but a shame he didn't have his party in the park. Fx for good weather for you op!

Just as long as your party doesn't take over the swings and slides. it might be intimidating to other children in the park.

Sounds like a result!! Glad it went well even if it wasn't in the park!

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Have done park and beach. It rained at both. They didn't care.