outdoor birthday party...it's gonna rain! WWYD?

[magpie]

So DS is ALL excited about his birthday this weekend (5!). He has been talking about a birthday party for more than a year now (we couldn't/wouldn't do one last year because of covid), so we planned a little party for him in the park. We chose morning in the park because it's outdoors and mornings tend to be better weather-wise (our afternoons are blazing hot and get a lot of summer storms normally). It's a small thing with breakfasty treats and donuts instead of cake. Welp, it looks like they are calling for 70-80% chance of rain tomorrow morning! I can't tell if it's stormy pouring rain or just like off an on bouts of rain. The park has a shelter, which is not reservable, but I assume we would be the only idiots having a birthday party at 9:30am in the rain, so I doubt it'll be a problem to get it. I invited his class, but only 6 or 7 families are coming (total of 11 kids, including siblings). Everyone is always traveling through summer, so I was expecting/banking on that. We could reschedule the party for the same day/time next week, but I'm sure some people won't be able to make it (but maybe some people who couldn't make it this week will be able to then?). My H wants to explore the idea of hosting indoors at our house, but I'm not really comfortable asking guests who agreed to an outdoor party to come indoors as that is an entirely different ballgame in terms of covid comfort (and honestly, I'm not thrilled with the idea of it myself). WWYD?

[loira]

I'd phone the guests and confirm the party is still on, and if it's raining they can find you in the shelter. But take that with a grain of salt because I live in a very rainy area, so we don't generally cancel things because of rain.

[felicity]

Is it supposed to be lighting or just rain? I'd reschedule for a high chance of storms but keep as is for just rain. Maybe try and get to the shelter early just in case and set out all your stuff. Bring some craft activities and games that could be done under there.

[magpie]

Jul 16, 2021 9:30:48 GMT -5 felicity said:

Is it supposed to be lighting or just rain? I'd reschedule for a high chance of storms but keep as is for just rain. Maybe try and get to the shelter early just in case and set out all your stuff. Bring some craft activities and games that could be done under there.

Not sure if it's stormy or rainy. I'm leaning towards just going for it and dealing. Great idea on the craft activities, thanks!

[osulori]

We were in this boat a few years ago with a putt putt party and I was freaking out HARD. Thankfully the weather cleared just in time for us so fingers crossed it happens for you guys too! If not, I think going for the shelter is a solid plan B with crafts, games etc. Or if it's not pouring or thundering and the temp is warm enough, maybe let the kids come in rain boots and swim suits and have a "jump in the puddles/dance in the rain" party?

[lilac05]

I’d host in the rain, as long as you’re not expecting thunder/lightning. It’s so much fun for kids to play in the rain! It absolutely POURED (flash floods all over town) at my friend’s pool party. No thunder/lightning. The kids had the absolute time of their lives swimming in the rain!

Attitude is everything, though. If you’re able to throw a “Dance In the Rain!” type party, I’d go ahead. If that doesn’t fit your family’s personality and you’d be sad/disappointed if it was raining (which is definitely a normal response to this scenario), I’d probably try to reschedule…or do a “Drive-By” thing where you can see her friends quickly, give them whatever you had planned for the party, she can receive a few gifts (if you were doing that), and call it a day. Again, with the right attitude/personality/approach, you could have a ton of fun with it.

[jaycee]

Rescheduling sounds like a bad idea due to schedules. It might rain next week too. I'd try to just have it and maybe hope some people decide to sit out because of the rain.

[cricketwife]

I totally understand this because my DS is having his 5th birthday party in two weeks (so who knows if it will rain), and only 6 kids can come. It’s been a nightmare to get RSVPs so there’s no way I’d reschedule it for rain. I’d KOKO. Since it’s such a small number, I’d probably bun each kid one of those $5 Lego sets as their party favor and let them do that during the party. Also, if you move the tables to the perimeter or to one side of the shelter, there’s probably room some movement games like duck, duck, goose or Simon says, etc. Good luck! I’ve been stressing over my son’s party as well. I think we want so much for them after them missing out on so much, for my DS, this will be his first ever birthday party, so I’m really hoping it goes well. But really, for kids, they don’t care about the weather. In fact, they’d probably love to run around in the rain and think that was awesome!

Oops, I just reread that it’s 11 kids, not 6. I probably wouldn’t by Lego sets for that many, but you could by those dino egg things that you dig. They sell 12 in a box for $20-25. And I’m sure there are cheaper options to keep them busy, but my kids don’t really love crafts, so my mind always goes elsewhere. 😊

[magpie]

Thank you everyone for the ideas! You gave me the confidence to move on with our rain party. I sent everyone a message and stressed the shelter and water shoes/clothes that can get wet. It looks like we're going to get scattered storms (not particularly strong though), so I'm feeling like it'll be what it is. I realized that if even one kid comes, DS will still have a blast. I'll pick up some crafty stuff, bring the bluetooth speaker and a party mix (all these kids LOVE dance parties at daycare) and bring all the sidewalk chalk.

[shauni27]

100% just keep it as it is; the covered area will be sufficient even if it is pouring rain. Have fun!

[goldengirlz]

If you think there’s a risk of the shelter being taken, it looks like pop-up tents are relatively cheap and easy to find. You could at least cover the food.

Happy birthday!

[magpie]

Jul 16, 2021 13:09:02 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

If you think there’s a risk of the shelter being taken, it looks like pop-up tents are relatively cheap and easy to find. You could at least cover the food.

Happy birthday!

Good point! I know exactly where they are in Target because I thought about buying one for our most recent camping trip! Oh, I also forgot to mention that H and I just made a plan to split up so that one of us is there super early to decorate/stake out the shelter. I doubt anyone will be there--it's a small neighborhood park and most people are smarter about not doing outdoor parties in the summer because the weather is always unpredictable (plus I feel like we're the only people who still try to be even a little cautious about covid here, lol/sob). 

[ellipses84]

I bought an e-z up / folding table because then I don’t have to stress / worry about it and always have it as a plan B. Most people use them where I live for shade more than rain. I definitely recommend one of you goes to stake out the covered area early. As a parent, I’d still take my kid if I RSVPd and the party was happening in the rain. I’m sure it will be fun!

[gretchenindisguise]

On the morning of Ls 6th birthday, we were woken up by thunder. We live in San Diego - so it was very unexpected lol.

We kept the party on - it was at a local park. We got a table under a shelter for food and cake. Kids wore ponchos.

It is still remembered as the best birthday party ever. Kids absolutely loved it.

[court26]

Good luck! I hope it is a really good time no matter what happens!

[lilac05]

Is it bad that part of me hopes that it does rain for you? There's just nothing like the squeals of joy that come from kids playing in the rain. And it's good for the adult soul to do some puddle splashing and jumping, too!

[magpie]

Jul 16, 2021 17:29:15 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Is it bad that part of me hopes that it does rain for you? There's just nothing like the squeals of joy that come from kids playing in the rain. And it's good for the adult soul to do some puddle splashing and jumping, too!

A nice warm, gentle rain, yes! A full on gusty storm...no! I actually love rain. I grew up in a place where rain was not frequent and it always feels precious and exciting to me, even now that I live somewhere with lots of it.

[JayhawkGirl]

DD went to one that got rained on. They had a BLAST! Hosts sent a note that morning saying wear the old clothes that can get muddy and they *loved* it!!

[brooke77]

I would KOKO! Send a text that the party is still on, rain or shine, and that you hope to see everyone there! I am hoping for your DS that you have nice weather!!!

[magpie]

Update! It didn't even rain! The weather changed overnight from being 80-90% chance of rain to a beautiful overcast morning! The kids and parents seemed to have a blast and everything worked out.

[lo]

I’m glad it worked out! We went through the exact same thing last weekend. Only had about 5 kids RSVP yes, but then had 5 party crashers show up (extended family of our neighbors…) We borrowed a pop up tent to go over the main party table and the kids ran in and out. It didn’t rain hard until the end. I did face painting (again, only 5 kids were supposed to come lol), glitter tattoos and my friend helped paint nails. I also had playdoh that some kids played with, but was really a panic buy. We also had a piñata. It was a fun party and there was NO chance I was going to reschedule it!