Indoor birthday party?

[noodleoo]

I've reached my limit with decision making regarding Covid and I cannot decide what to do.  DD1 was invited to her first indoor birthday party since Covid.  It is at a trampoline park.  I've never been there, but I'm sure DD1 will love it (although they always scare me for injuries).  What should we do?

Relevant info:

• We're in MA, so the vaccination uptake is high.
• Kids are 6 years old, so none of the kids will be vaccinated.
• It doesn't look like the trampoline park is requiring masks.
• The place is big with high ceilings, but kids will be jumping all close to each other and breathing heavy.
• I don't know the parents well enough to know if they are vaccinated.  We're guessing wife yes, H not sure.
• I have no idea how many kids will be there.
• This is a friend from the summer program. DD1 and her have been indoors together all summer, but they require masks.

I guess I'm leaning towards not going, but my sister tells me I'm way too protective. I'm totally fine with outdoor activities.  We've taken the kids to a few indoor museums this summer, but they all required masks.  It will probably be a short party, so part of me is like screw it, it will probably be fine and DD1 really wants to go.  But then I get all scared about Delta.  Help?

[scm1011]

In your shoes, I'd allow it and talk to your DD about how she is to wear her masks at all times.

ETA: The more I think about it the more I agree with other posters - probably not worth the risk.

[redheadbaker]

I'd probably not go because trampoline parks are notoriously dangerous, COVID or not.

[keweenawlove]

Aug 5, 2021 9:29:10 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I'd probably not go because trampoline parks are notoriously dangerous, COVID or not.

This is where I'm at. My friend's daughter broke her leg at one just before COVID hit. 

[hermione]

We would pass on any indoor/unmasked gathering right now.

[mrshandy]

Hmmmm...It's a tough decision, but I would probably only do this for a close friend that we've been friends with for years. Not some random kid that I might never see again.

[osulori]

I would do this for very few people, like my niece/nephew or AJ's friends at the sitters because he's around them a ton and would all wear masks. But honestly that's about it for my indoor party comfort level right now.

[erbear]

I’m a hard no on this. Not indoor and not one of those places that are germy in regular time. Sorry

[af1212]

No for us as well.

[Velar Fricative]

Not if masks aren't required.

[dcn]

I’d only consider it if masks were required and I was sure everyone would wear one.

[Poppy]

That would be a no for me. Not something I am willing to risk illness for. Actually, though, H had vetoed trampoline places even before covid.

[raangoli]

Nope. And don't let your sister guilt you into doing something you are not comfortable with.

[noodleoo]

Thanks everyone. I was kind of leaning towards no but worried I was being too cautious. I just got an invite to a neighborhood BBQ (outdoors!) for the same day that I'd rather go to anyway, so that makes it easier to pass.

School starts the week after and the risk of anyone getting sick and missing the first day of school was also on my mind.

[loira]

Hard no for me even without a pandemic. In desperation once this rainy spring we took A to a trampoline park near us. I figured it would be okay since we were supervising her and she goes to gymnastics and knows how to jump safely.

The place was a fucking nightmare. Kids all over, teen employees reluctant to use their authority, and tons of kids (and ADULTS) doing reckless things like trying to jump 2 at a time into a foam pit. It was the worst outing ever and the only thing that made it successful was the fact that H and I kept A at arm's length and were willing to yell at other people to make it safe. Afterwards we decided that we would not be going back, and there is no way in hell we would let her go to a birthday party there because we would not trust the parents hosting the party to be able to supervise multiple party kids/watch out for dangers from all the other kids and adults there.

[tiki]

I wouldn't take this risk for people I didn't know or kids that my daughter wasn't already exposed to (for example, all the guests being current classmates or teammates might be ok). Even if masks were required by the park, I doubt kids could keep their masks from falling off a lot while jumping on trampolines.

[brooke77]

We are a no for indoor activities.

[waverly]

I'm a maybe. Why? Because they are supposed to jump in their own squares, so that would mean social distancing, and I would have them do a mask.

Pain points though, if it is crowded with teenagers that tends to get out of hand, but might not be with Covid.

The other pain point if they are serving pizza then they would be close together with masks off, so that would be the most likely exposure point. So I would need more info on the food situation.

But yeah I think I would chose the outdoor BBQ.  

[lilac05]

I’m glad you’ve got another option that is better Covid-wise and just sounds like more fun anyway.

We’re generally a no on trampoline parks in the first place. I tore my ACL at one when I wasn’t doing anything stupid. We know too many kids who have broken bones (and 2 who had concussions). It’s just not worth it.

Add in Covid, and unless there were extenuating circumstances, we’d be a solid no.

[devonpow]

I’m in MA too and have gone to many, many a SkyZone or Launch birthday party. I’d be a no right now unfortunately. We are only doing indoor things with masks.

[jaycee]

We would be a yes.

[goldengirlz]

We’re still a “no” too. We haven’t been invited to any indoor birthday parties; most people wouldn’t host them for kids where I am.

[abs]

We would be a no because of the facility. Trampoline parks are just so dangerous anyways. With hospitals filling up everywhere I wouldn’t want something to happen and then have to wait for care.

DD is going to parties though as long as the parents are vaccinated. She’s going to one next weekend in fact.

[steamboat185]

I’d be a no. I’d want the kids masks plus precovid jump parks were typically packed which makes me uncomfortable now. We went to one jump park in Franklin, Ma in December 2019 and it was so uncomfortable. The kids were just OUT of control and the employees weren’t keeping things safe. We used to go to another jump center here in CO and the experiences could not have been more different.

[konapoppy]

I think you are making the right choice.

We hosted an indoor play date with the kids from class a few weekends ago. Private party, everyone masked, everyone already had exposure to each other. We had most families attend and it was really nice. But I would be very selective with delta. We did a similar party with another group in June, but that was when delta wasn’t as present here.

[sillygoosegirl]

This would definitely be a no for me. I'm not even letting my 6-year-old play indoors and masked with her BFF right now.

[expectantsteelerfan]

It'd be a no for us. We have avoided all big indoor kid play areas and will continue to do so until my kids are both fully vaccinated.

[moonpie]

I don’t know, but I wanted to commiserate in how difficult this had become again. I had a slight breakdown last night where I told my husband that I just don’t want people to invite us anywhere ever again because it’s so exhausting. A slight overreaction on my part, lol.

But I do want to be done having to weigh every interaction. And then also having to be hiding/explaining my choices because person A might be offended that I’m ok with activity B with people C but declined something with them.

[mrsGreeko]

I’d be fine with it. My DS attended a trampoline birthday party a few weeks ago. But since you have something you’d rather do that day just do that.

[boiler717]

I would not do a trampoline party OR an indoor party during COVID so I would pass.