Anonymous wrote:Bubbles and chalk would be plenty! I'm not a fan of piñatas but to each their own.

I am the person who suggested bubbles, chalk and balls. All can be had for LT $20 from the dollar store. They might be a hit or not. I just brought bubbles to a park event. $1 for 3 bottles. They were the focus of the day. I just opened them and started blowing. Kids appeared and started popping and running and blowing and stomping. They will al get used down the road either way.

Yes to bubbles chalk and piñata. We also have gotten butcher block paper to put down on picnic tables with markers.

Bubbles and chalk would be plenty! I'm not a fan of piñatas but to each their own.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful suggestions! I guess I figured since we do two-hour playdates at playgrounds that five-year-olds are just happy to run around and play. Bubbles, chalk, cornhole and maybe a piñata sound like a good plan. I’m a teacher so planning and herding kids into an activity is something I’m familiar with but I’m not sure it’s necessary in this case.

You don’t need any of that. Have food, snacks, cupcakes and let them play.

It doesn’t hurt to have a few ideas but for the most part the kids will go out and just play. Bring some balls and the like and you are good. We have hada pool party the past few years and it has been great. The kids go and swim, we provide pizza during the break time. The kids go swim some more, we provide cake at the next break time. The kids can go home or stay and swim some more. Most kids get in about 3 hours of swimming, the adults can drop off and go do their thing or hang out and chat. Kids are exhausted at the end of the day, we paid for pizza, cake, drinks, and some veggie trays. Golden. It helps that most of DS friends are members of the same pool and we don’t have to pay extra for the pool use. We do pay for the kids who are not members.

Is it a big playground? One that is new and interesting or the same old mediocre school playground, for example, that is kinda boring and small?

I would have an art activity and plan to do a game.

No, no activities needed. My kids have been to multiple parties like this. The kids just want to get sugared up and play with each other.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful suggestions! I guess I figured since we do two-hour playdates at playgrounds that five-year-olds are just happy to run around and play. Bubbles, chalk, cornhole and maybe a piñata sound like a good plan. I’m a teacher so planning and herding kids into an activity is something I’m familiar with but I’m not sure it’s necessary in this case.

The last time we hosted a playground party, we brought some stuff to have a field day-type party, along with corn hole and ring toss, and the kids completely ignored that stuff and just wanted to play on the playground. Also, we have been to dozens of playground parties and the only activity anyone has ever had was a piñata. One or two people had a craft table, but that has also been largely ignored.

This. We had a craft station, a dress up station, a sports/exercise equipment station and a snack station. The kids totally ignored everything except the snacks and the balls and had a great time running around. Other than cake, we had veggies, fruit and bagels with various toppings including lox (and coffee for the adults), which were popular.

Anonymous wrote:I would have never hosted a birthday party for kids who are playground age without having at least one or two activities. Geez, of course you do something or you look cheap and lazy. Have a game or an art activity. Step it up. Don't be like your lazy Millennial peers.

Your kids can't stay entertained at a playground?

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the helpful suggestions! I guess I figured since we do two-hour playdates at playgrounds that five-year-olds are just happy to run around and play. Bubbles, chalk, cornhole and maybe a piñata sound like a good plan. I’m a teacher so planning and herding kids into an activity is something I’m familiar with but I’m not sure it’s necessary in this case.

The last time we hosted a playground party, we brought some stuff to have a field day-type party, along with corn hole and ring toss, and the kids completely ignored that stuff and just wanted to play on the playground. Also, we have been to dozens of playground parties and the only activity anyone has ever had was a piñata. One or two people had a craft table, but that has also been largely ignored.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would bring bubbles, a bunch of balls, maybe playground chalk...something to make it feel different than just a regular park trip.

What makes it different from a regular park trip is that all their friends are there!

My kids play at the park with their friends all the time.

Then they should have no problem at a party like this!

Anonymous wrote:What about little parachute people to drop from the play structure? Or bouncy balls to put down the slide? Masks and capes are fun with the 4 yo set.

No one would do this at a public playground? There are going to be other children around and this is extremely disruptive. DO you even have children?

OP here. Thanks for the helpful suggestions! I guess I figured since we do two-hour playdates at playgrounds that five-year-olds are just happy to run around and play. Bubbles, chalk, cornhole and maybe a piñata sound like a good plan. I’m a teacher so planning and herding kids into an activity is something I’m familiar with but I’m not sure it’s necessary in this case.

Anonymous wrote:I would have never hosted a birthday party for kids who are playground age without having at least one or two activities. Geez, of course you do something or you look cheap and lazy. Have a game or an art activity. Step it up. Don't be like your lazy Millennial peers.

Eww.