We are hosting my 3-year-old's b-day party tomorrow at an airport playground a bit of a distance from our home. There is a covered space, though it's not heated. Tomorrow it is supposed to be 47 degrees at 12 noon (time of the party), and sunny. Is that too cold for little kids to be outside for a couple hours, playing, watching airplanes take off and land, eating lunch and cake? I'm not too eager to move it to my house as our layout is not condusive to having 30+ kids and adults all together and our outdoor space is pretty small. However, if people won't come because of the temperature, it defeats the purpose of having a party....Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Though I'm in the hearty soul camp that wants to play outdoors even when it's cold, it wouldn't be much fun for those who don't enjoy it. So...we are moving it to an indoor kids event venue in our neighborhood. (Had to change the time to 12:30, though!) Thanks to everyone for your responses - they definitely informed my decision!
call them .. and tell them bring gloves and hats.. it will be cold.. if they are cold.. they could go inside the airport to warm up.. cold air is good.. i would go with it.. i had an outdoor party in March... it was really cold.. everyone came.. good luck
That's kind of cold to be outside for a few hours especially for 3 year olds. I would consider moving it to my home even if it means people will be cramped.
edited: I don't think its too cold to play in but I definitely would not want to be outside for a few hours. Someone mentioned kids playing outside at school they need to remember that when kids go outside for recess they are not outside for hours at a time they are outside for about 10-15 minutes maybe 20 tops. You can't compare recess on a chilly day with being outside for a 2-3 hours.
yes , that's too cold you're going to end up with a lot of runny noses.
You made the right decision, A. - 47degrees is too cold for little kids to be out playing for 2-3 hours. Plus don't think the parents would enjoy being outside sitting around in that kind of cold. Hope your party turned out well
I wouldn't look forward to spendind 2 or 3 hrs outside, in chilly weather, for a kids party. I'd be upset if my child got sick as a result. The portable heaters Wendy mentioned are a good idea.
Personally I think that's too cold for an outdoor party.
I don't think I am the best person to answer this! Right now it is 5 degrees and me and my boys are fixing to go for a mile hike with our dogs! But this is Alaska. I can say that if you were here, and it was 47, the kids would be outside all day long, in t-shirts, having a blast and enjoying the sun. But I know when I was in Alabama in Dec wearing shorts, the locals all thought I was weird, so I guess it is all about what we are used to. :)
Hope your sons has a great birthday :)
rent some of those tall heaters like they use at restaurants on the patios? a portable fire pit?
Are you doing it at P'tree Dekalb? That place is so much fun! It's NOT too cold for the kids to be outside! That's what coats, hats and gloves are for. Unless it's below freezing and/or icy or raining -there's no reason for kids not to be outside. It's going to be beautiful here tomorrow -brightly sunny and COOL all day! My son's 2nd birthday was outdoors about a month ago, and I wish we could have had this weather. Instead it was 95 that day! I don't know why anyone wouldn't come. There are several outdoor festivals tomorrow that are expecting record crowds because of the weather. People generally like to be outside when it's like this. Most preschools and schools also have policies that the kids go outdoors unless it's raining or below freezing, so kids and their parents should be used to it. Have fun!
Your sons birthday party sounds so cool! I hope you don't mind but I put it down in my idea book. It might be a little cold but not enough to cancel (then again I am from Detroit so 47 sounds like springtime in bloom.) If you are really worried most home improvement store will rent outdoor heaters. There are also TONS of party rental places in and around town to find them. They are easy to set up and work pretty well. Have fun!
This same scenario happened at our wedding, which was outdoors in a park. We bought some tarps and hung them up around the pavilion to block the wind. And we borrowed outdoor space heaters from a friend (I think you can rent them from Lowes too). I wouldn't have called it tropical, but it made things much better!!! It's our backup plan for my son's party next weekend. Send out a note to the parents telling them it's still "on". Ask then to bundle up the kids. Rent the heaters and let them know you will have them. Bring a box of tissues. Kids are tough, I think it will be fine for a few hours.
Does everyone know that it is outdoors? 47 may be a bit low for a couple hours. Is it supposed to get any warmer than that tomorrow? If you HAVE to move it to your house, is the garage insulated and any warmer than that? Can you move out the cars and have it in there if it is a larger space?
