Rain at outdoor party: how to salvage a good time

[Anonymous]

So of course it has barely rained for several weeks but the day decent rain finally comes, it’s the day of my 5-year-old’s outdoor birthday party. We have a pavilion but the plan was for the kids to play at the adjacent playground. The picnic tables are bolted down so we can’t move them out of the way. Has anyone been in this situation and found ways to make it fun for the kids?

[Anonymous]

When my daughter’s preschool friend had a playground party and it rained, they rescheduled. It sucks but there’s no way to make it fun to hang out in a covered pavilion eating some chips, watching rain fall.

The only other option is to move it to your house if you have space.

[Anonymous]

I would move party inside, cancel or postpone.

We have not attended one party where parents didn’t cancel when it was pouring. We did attend a party at Burke lake when it was drizzling on and off. We hung out in the pavilion and kids played in muddy playground. That was back in preschool when we were eager to meet people. I would not attend outdoor party in the rain.

My friends have postponed and they have just invited everyone to their home or public play place like Chuck E. Cheese or trampoline place.

I had a fishing party last year. While it didn’t rain the day of, it rained prior and I was prepared to have all the kids hang out at our house if it did rain.

[Anonymous]

And before you say you don’t have space, we have attended birthdays in nyc where apts are 1000 sf. Small space parties are fine.

[Anonymous]

If you don’t cancel, at least half the people aren’t going to come. The rest will be checking their watches waiting for an appropriate amount of time to pass before leaving.

You need to cancel or move it to your house.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone. I needed a reality check. I emailed the invitees and floated the idea of moving the party to our house, and asked if people are still planning to come given the forecast. I hate changing things up last minute. I am thinking it will be better to have it at our house though. Plus we grownups can drink mimosas and wine.

[Anonymous]

I’m going to be honest. I almost never enjoy a playground birthday party. I’d take a cramped house party any day.

[Anonymous]

If space is an issue, can you turn it into a drop-off party at your house? You could ask a few parents you know to stay and then allow the rest to drop off.

Mom of 8 yo (with regular drop off parties) and 5 yo kindergartner where I painfully attend all bday parties.

[Anonymous]

No one wants to hang out outside when it’s 57 and raining. Reschedule.

[Anonymous]

How many kids and how old?

I’m not a fan of playground parties. Love house parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one wants to hang out outside when it’s 57 and raining. Reschedule.

+1. We attended one and it was in their backyard. It was drizzling on and off but the temperature was low. I was freezing and kept wondering why they didn’t move us inside. The kids were playing in the rain but I’m one of those parents who don’t like kids playing in the rain when it’s cold. After that experience, I will skip outdoor parties if it is suppose to rain.

[Anonymous]

Also, it’s pouring outside. This isn’t drizzle or rain on and off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone. I needed a reality check. I emailed the invitees and floated the idea of moving the party to our house, and asked if people are still planning to come given the forecast. I hate changing things up last minute. I am thinking it will be better to have it at our house though. Plus we grownups can drink mimosas and wine.

After drinking mimosas and wine, they are going to drive home?! Thanks for putting drinks on the road.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We officially moved the party to our house. I’d rather be annoyed at a party because it’s crowded than because it’s cold and wet. Plus now we can drink mimosas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone. I needed a reality check. I emailed the invitees and floated the idea of moving the party to our house, and asked if people are still planning to come given the forecast. I hate changing things up last minute. I am thinking it will be better to have it at our house though. Plus we grownups can drink mimosas and wine.

After drinking mimosas and wine, they are going to drive home?! Thanks for putting drinks on the road.

Drinks not drinks and before you say one glass of wine or one mimosa is fine and driving is not impaired, don't bother because it does!