Backyard Party in August - Too Hot?

[Anonymous]

I would totally come to a party like this. I would love to do this for our son, but our yard is way too buggy for us to be out there in the middle of summer, unfortunately, and I don't want to spray for a variety of reasons.

If you are really concerned about heat, consider doing a 10-12ish party. Late afternoon is usually the hottest time of day. You can do morning fun time and then serve lunch instead of dinner.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would totally come to a party like this. I would love to do this for our son, but our yard is way too buggy for us to be out there in the middle of summer, unfortunately, and I don't want to spray for a variety of reasons.

If you are really concerned about heat, consider doing a 10-12ish party. Late afternoon is usually the hottest time of day. You can do morning fun time and then serve lunch instead of dinner.

Good luck!

OP's yard is buggy, too.

I have a very low heat tolerance and am a mosquito magnet - and so are my kids. A party like this would be miserable for me/us, and I would pass. If my child insisted on going I would either drop off, or attend but be very unhappy.

I cannot think of anything I hate more than DC summers. Seriously, they make me weep. The idea of a party in someone's backyard in August is horrifying to me.

[Anonymous]

Most pest places will do a one-time, event treatment. Could be worthwhile if your place needs it.

Also, maybe set up a welcoming area inside to people know they are welcome to chat indoors if they're feeling oppressed? Another grouping of cups, ice bucket, iced tea/lemonade/water, maybe seating.

Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Op, why aren't you worried about the kids? I've seen moon bounces in August, and the kids wanted to go inside. They get hot also

[Anonymous]

I hate backyard parties including my own. I have an August birthday child and we have had exactly 3 home parties. One year it was good. The rest were horrible. One year was her first bday and I know in retrospect it was awful, but at the time it was fine. One year it poured and was about 1000 degrees and we had a moonbounce in the backyard. One year the weather was beautiful and everyone had a great time. One year we had an outdoor party at a local park and that sucked too. I should probably stop having birthday parties, but now I know to avoid backyard parties like the plague.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the parents were grumpy bc you were lacking ice cold beer and/or some type of frozen mixed drinks? That's essential for keeping parents happy in August heat!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I have a very low heat tolerance and am a mosquito magnet - and so are my kids. A party like this would be miserable for me/us, and I would pass. If my child insisted on going I would either drop off, or attend but be very unhappy.

I cannot think of anything I hate more than DC summers. Seriously, they make me weep. The idea of a party in someone's backyard in August is horrifying to me.

This made me laugh out loud. I completely understand. I would still go because I know my kids would love it. I hope to have backyard parties for my DS in November.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the parents were grumpy bc you were lacking ice cold beer and/or some type of frozen mixed drinks? That's essential for keeping parents happy in August heat!

Nah, we most definitely had plenty of ice cold beer on hand. I think that's one of the benefits of not going the Little Gym route, but didn't want to put it in the original post for fear of starting a debate on the appropriateness of alcohol at kid parties. I think maybe our error last time around was just putting our home address on the invitation, and not specifying that we'd be spending time outside. Of course, if people had bothered to RSVP, I could have told them so, but that's another story...

Based on the responses, I think we'll go ahead with our outdoor party but be clear about it on the invitation, and people who can't handle a summer afternoon outside can plan not to come. Really, what I'm aiming for is a party where my kid can run around and have a good time with extended family and friends and feel special for the day. If fewer classmates show up, that's fine by me - I just did not want to create a situation where people would be uncomfortable. The fans are a great idea too.

[Anonymous]

Op, why aren't you worried about the kids? I've seen moon bounces in August, and the kids wanted to go inside. They get hot also

I'm not worried about the kids because I've yet to see a kid miserable at a party because it was hot outside - particularly when the sprinklers are running, juice is flowing, and popsicles abound. Adults, on the other hand, tend to be a bit grumpier.

Obviously if there was a excessive heat advisory or something, we'd resort to the 'rain' plan, but on a typical August afternoon in the shade, I just don't see that being an issue.

[Anonymous]

If i was invited to a four year old's birthday party in August at his house, I would assume it was in the backyard. It would be weird to stay in the house that time of year.

I would think about doing a morning party before it got too hot, maybe 10 a.m. You could still grill for lunch if you wanted too, or you could put out bagels/cream cheese/iced coffee/mimosas. Sometimes its too hot to turn on a grill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Op, why aren't you worried about the kids? I've seen moon bounces in August, and the kids wanted to go inside. They get hot also

I'm not worried about the kids because I've yet to see a kid miserable at a party because it was hot outside - particularly when the sprinklers are running, juice is flowing, and popsicles abound. Adults, on the other hand, tend to be a bit grumpier.

Obviously if there was a excessive heat advisory or something, we'd resort to the 'rain' plan, but on a typical August afternoon in the shade, I just don't see that being an issue.

I see kids get to hot all the time.