PP here with the outdoor birthday plan. I totally understand that not everyone would want to be outside, that's totally fine! But if you have a party obsessed kid, finding two other families let's you put up decorations and sing happy birthday, whereas a Zoom call would be one more disappointment for a kid that wants a "real" party. But I would absolutely not hold it against anyone who declined any invite these days.

The highs for the past few years were 54, 51, 28, 50, and 41. So maybe it will be super cold, but odds are it will be above freezing and totally fine for kids to run around outside for as long as they want. Plus, our mid January birthdays are always surprisingly well attended - the post holiday slump is in full force and parents are dying for weekend activities for their kids.

And TBH, I was always jealous of the summer birthday parents that could do the cheap playground parties. If we can figure out how to do smores on a camp stove, I'm absolutely taking advantage of the outdoor party option for one year. And like I said, no hard feelings if you RSVP no!

We did a ceramics thing for my DS birthday with a good friend of his. We did it for two kids, we did not do the full party option. The place offered Zoom Ceramics birthday party if you want to do that.

You choose things for the kids to paint. The store had a list of items at the party price point. Each kid picks an item and their paint colors. You submit it as one big order.

You go to the store to pick up the paint kits, they should be individually broken out by kid to include the ceramic piece, paint brushes, and paint.

You distribute the kits. Either drop them off or have the families come get them. We delivered ours with a cupcake.

The Owner will set up a zoom so she can give suggestions to the kids and the kids paint together. If you want to skip this step, read the rules for painting. It is pretty easy. Two coats of paint if possible. Start with light colors first then dark colors. The more coats you add, the deeper the color. Have the parents paint initials on the underside of the piece.

When it is all done and dried, have the families drop them off at the shop to be fired or drop them off with you and you drop them off at the shop to be fired.

Families can pick up the finished pieces you can pick them up and families can get them from you.

There are steps but it is fun, productive, and the kids are engaged. It is a bit different then other zoom parties.

i probably would not come to an outdoor party in January - although it's possible if it's a freak warm weather day. But that doesn't sound fun (trying to eat, sit, give gifts, chat in the cold?) to me and I think my kid would whine.

We did a Zoom party that was led by an outside vendor, and it was really fun. We built legos - the instructor talked and engaged the kids and it was low stress on the family. You could hire someone to be a character, or read stories, or play games virtually.

Anonymous wrote:My January birthday kid will be turning 5 and we’re planning an outdoor party with 3 other families we bubble with. If it’s snowy, then snow games, if it’s cold, then hit chocolate and roasting marshmallows. I plan on making the invite for an hour so people don’t feel obligated to stay if it’s 30 degrees and their kids get whiny.

DP. I actually like this hot chocolate and s’mores idea. Thank you!!

Outside in winter is still possible! I think the kids will be outside more this winter anyway, so they'll be used to the cold weather. I also have a feeling that party places/rentals will adapt to outside winter parties as well.

Anonymous wrote:My January birthday kid will be turning 5 and we’re planning an outdoor party with 3 other families we bubble with. If it’s snowy, then snow games, if it’s cold, then hit chocolate and roasting marshmallows. I plan on making the invite for an hour so people don’t feel obligated to stay if it’s 30 degrees and their kids get whiny.

This!

I mean, for 1 hour, dressed well, (boots, snowpants, mittens, hats) both parents and children can have a fun time - if it's in your backyard, cocoa and marshmallows. if outside in a park, BRING a HUGE thermos of hot cocoa and mini marshmallows to eat and put in cocoa. Bring hot cups with lids - and if you wish, warm cider, too - with or without being spiked it's yummy. KIds can run around for an hour, take breaks for hot cocoa and a cupcake (vs. a cake you have to deal with plates, forks, knife for cutting, blah blah). it will be fun!

Anonymous wrote:OP again. I just re-read my original post. I meant “will we be back to zoom parties” like we were doing during the shut down in March, April, and May. My daughter won’t participate in zoom so that would be a complete bust for us.

She probably won’t participate on Zoom because she’s doing boring things on Zoom. I’ve been to a few preschool party events online where the kids have a blast. You have to turn to someone that knows what they are doing, though.

My January birthday kid will be turning 5 and we’re planning an outdoor party with 3 other families we bubble with. If it’s snowy, then snow games, if it’s cold, then hit chocolate and roasting marshmallows. I plan on making the invite for an hour so people don’t feel obligated to stay if it’s 30 degrees and their kids get whiny.

I’d bring my kid to an outdoor playground party in Jan. Have hot chocolate/cider. Theres a decent chance it will be 40-50degrees.

OP again. I just re-read my original post. I meant “will we be back to zoom parties” like we were doing during the shut down in March, April, and May. My daughter won’t participate in zoom so that would be a complete bust for us.

This is OP. She will be turning 4.

I have 2 winter bday kids so I joke that I hope the ice cream trucks turn into hot chocolate trucks in the winter.

Pinatas

How old OP?

Will there be any safe way to have a party? We only do outside, masked things now. So even if indoor venues are open in January, I won’t feel comfortable. My DD has already started talking about her birthday party. I’m comfortable going to a party at a park where everyone is masked and staying separated. But we won’t be able to do that in January. Will we be able to zoom parties? Are there any safe ideas that I’m not thinking of? DD’s local family is just her and me, so a “family party” would be pretty small!