Anonymous wrote:I have two kids with winter birthdays. For me - last year - I planned their parties at the last minute. I looked at the forecast and waited for a day that was 50° or warmer and planned outdoor parties for that day.

This. Invite lots of guests so enough show up. Get cartons of hot cocoa from Dunkin. Plan a couple crafts or activities and just let them play. Then sing happy birthday and have cupcakes.

Last year the kids in DD’s classroom all had winter birthdays at playgrounds. It was fine. Just like an hour of playing + cupcakes. Kids are going to want to go to the playground even when it’s cold anyway so no one had a problem going to these. And it doesn’t often get that cold here.

What about a local kid friendly restaurant with a beer garden ?

Those are usually designed with all weather conditions in mind with parasols, gazebos and heaters.

My DS is turning 5 in December. He has been to his big brother's summer birthday parties so is well aware of the difference between a small family party vs. inviting friends. We plan to only invite 2-4 of his friends and plan for an outdoor party in our backyard with a bounce house. If the weather is bad, we will consider going inside with masks depending on community spread and vaccine status.

Anonymous wrote:This has all been helpful everyone! We aren’t comfortable with an indoor party even with the kids she goes to school with (and that is who is is asking to have a party with). Because of Covid we haven’t been able to get to know the families well plus we tend to gravitate towards the our older child’s friend’s families.

I think you all may have given me the courage to do a winter playground party. That way we can invite anyone really. It will also be super cost effective so we can try to do something fun with treats! Has anyone ever done a cold weather food truck? Like with hot cocoa?

A hot cocoa food truck is a great idea! I've not done one but would love that at a party. My kids would be over the moon for a hot cocoa truck!

Anonymous wrote:This has all been helpful everyone! We aren’t comfortable with an indoor party even with the kids she goes to school with (and that is who is is asking to have a party with). Because of Covid we haven’t been able to get to know the families well plus we tend to gravitate towards the our older child’s friend’s families.

I think you all may have given me the courage to do a winter playground party. That way we can invite anyone really. It will also be super cost effective so we can try to do something fun with treats! Has anyone ever done a cold weather food truck? Like with hot cocoa?

Personally I'd just buy Swiss Miss and bring a few thermoses of hot water. Bring candy canes, mini chocolate bars (like the long thin ones from trader joes), and marshmallows.

If you really want a food truck, our neighborhood block party had a grilled cheese one that was super popular. Don't bother with a whole truck just for the hot chocolate.

This has all been helpful everyone! We aren’t comfortable with an indoor party even with the kids she goes to school with (and that is who is is asking to have a party with). Because of Covid we haven’t been able to get to know the families well plus we tend to gravitate towards the our older child’s friend’s families.

I think you all may have given me the courage to do a winter playground party. That way we can invite anyone really. It will also be super cost effective so we can try to do something fun with treats! Has anyone ever done a cold weather food truck? Like with hot cocoa?

Anonymous wrote:Just have the party indoors.

+1

My DD is older (2nd grade) but she has already been invited to and attended several indoor birthday parties this year. It seems that very few families balked because all have been extremely well attended (and fun!). Masks required, kids don't care. Some sent home treats in lieu of cake cutting/eating. I personally dislike planning outdoor bday parties even in Spring/Summer because it always seems to be my bad luck that it pours or storms (I swear I'm cursed in this regard). And, no, you can't just look at the weather and plan last minute because then no one will be available or show up.

Just have the party indoors.

It doesn’t get that cold here, so have it at 1 pm when it’s warmest. If the group is it’s 5-6 kids, you can easily email that morning and push it a week if if it’s raining.

Cold weather is fine! Just bring some of those pocket hand-warmer things, kids looooove them.

My daughter turned 4 in February. We invited 5 friends to the playground. I handed out cupcakes and favor bags at the end of the hour. It was cold, maybe 35-40 degrees.

She is turning 5 this winter and I plan to have a real party. Haven’t decided if it will be at our house or at a venue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your 3 year old is "dying" to have a birthday party? You mean...you are.

Actually no. I have zero interest in hosting one and was happy that we were able to skip friend parties up to the 4th birthday. I would prefer not dealing with the expense or hassle. She has been to a handful of parties recently, sees her brother being invited to parties and has been asking for one of her own for a good 6 months. Not sure why that is hard to believe….

Ignore that poster. All 4 year olds want to have a bday party. If your child was one or two, than it would be for you but at 4, of course she wants a party.

Yeah that PP is an idiot and maybe has never met a 3-4yo? Mine has been obsessed with Halloween for months and Christmas and already talking about bday too, esp after going to friends' parties.

Thanks OP for starting this thread. We are in the same boat with winter bday but wanting to be Covid-safe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just make it short. One hour, 90 minutes tops. Meet at a playground, they can dress how they want. Cocoa and cupcakes. Easy!

That sounds right up our alley but inclement weather plan? I would attend a party like this (we try to say yes to all to be kind) but would other people be put off?

I just did this for my 4 year old. I too was worried it would be lame but the secret is to invite the right people (which you can control at this age). So I invited three families who I knew would be easy going and everyone had a great time. I would have been a nervous wreck if strangers were coming or if I knew one of the moms was judgmental.

Anonymous wrote:I have two kids with winter birthdays. For me - last year - I planned their parties at the last minute. I looked at the forecast and waited for a day that was 50° or warmer and planned outdoor parties for that day.

This. Plan at the last minute, invite a lot of people so that you have enough guests even with a low response rate. Cocoa, cupcakes, and done.

For my DD turning 6 I am going to have them do "gemstone mining" in our raised garden bed, then cocoa and cupcakes on the porch. Easy peasy.