Outdoor Birthday party in the middle of winter WDYT?

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Last year on DD's birthday it was around 14 degrees so a bit chilly which is why we had her party indoors. It was a little manic with a whole bunch of kids and not much room to run around.

So i was wondering if having a sort of outdoor party would be silly in the middle of winter? By sort of i mean letting the kids outside to play or perhaps heading to the local park so the kids can run around.

[FabFiona]

We play outside when it's cold. Just wear warmer clothes! As long as it's not raining then I think it's fine.

This is a problem you are likely to have every year so you may as well get everyone used to it. A 2 year old party inside would be a nightmare!

[AngelPants]

last year we had it at a park just down the road from a play cafe and wrote on the invitations the name and adress of the play cafe and told them if we moved the party to the play cafe we'd let them know.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

A 2 year old party inside would be a nightmare!

Thats what i was thinking too! Her first was enough for me! I'm going to be massively pregnant so trying to contain a house full of kids will be too stressful.

[briggsy's girl]

we have had both DD's parties outside - we have tarps we can put up to close off the undercover area if it's crummy weather, will clean up the shed if really necessary - and we put massive picnic rugs under her slide last year so the kids didn't get wet tushies! it was cool, but not cold, the rain held off for the day - and the kids loved being outside. we just suggested to people to have a change of clothes in case kids fell over in mud (most do this anyway!). we have room inside to a degree (we can move furniture to make it kind of an open area) but kids don't like being stuck inside so if i can kick them out, why not?

clean up outside is soooooo much easier too!

[~Kim~]

Man, you're braver than I. No way would I attempt a party for littlies that pregnant. But yes, I would just put a note on the invite letting parents know so they can bring stuff to wear that is suitable for the weather.

[misty]

Perhaps a playcentre might be another option. Canberra weather is just too unpredictable for me to plan things outdoors without having a back up plan.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I had considered a play centre but with me being that heavily pregnant I'd like to be home incase something happens.

I could clear out the loungeroom or the garage if its really crummy weather. Being canberra its hard to tell and especially this year with all the rain.

[ss_storm]

Does she need to have a party at all this year? If there's a possibility you might be in labour, or about to start, I wouldn't even worry about a party. She's too young to realise anyway, and if your family/friends don't agree with it well *raspberries* to them and you can have one next year or during warmer weather instead?
DD is almost in the middle of July, we haven't had a party for her yet, but I have no idea what we'll do when she does get a party. Is hiring a gazebo for the backyard or a smallish function room an option?

[Kazzo]

I would be forgoing the party too or make it less of a party and just say we are planning on taking DD down to the park at so&so time if the weather permits if any one wants to join us bring a picnic. That way you don't have to worry about catering for anyone but yourselves and if it has to be cancelled for whatever reason you have not invested to much time, money and possible stress so close to your bubs arrival.

[AwesomeFoursome]

I wouldn't have a party outside in the middle of winter. We get in the -0s and having little kids out in that weather wouldn't be fun for me. I personally would have it at a indoor play centre because they do the catering and if I had to leave it wouldn't matter, everyone could continue the party until finishing time then the centre would clean up the mess.

[LoveKnowsNoBounds]

I'm not a fan of outdoor parties in winter. I don't mind having a play outside but not for the duration of a whole party. DS gets sick at a drop of a hat and cold weather does make it worse.

There are some nice play centres if you look around. I found one for DS that is a disco party room so no play gym. Just party games, food and dancing then home without any cleaning up. I've got a reflux baby so it's the first time I'm not doing it at home as I'm exhausted.

Good luck with it