Ideas for My Son's 3Rd Birthday party...and Is This Crazy?

Updated on August 10, 2013
E.M. asks from Phoenix, AZ
12 answers

My younger son turns 3 at the end of next month. I was thinking of having his birthday party at this very nice little park nearby. It is inside a neighborhood, so it is pretty quiet and not usually too packed with kids, plus it has a great sprinkler pad (it will still be in the 90s next month) and trees for shade. The down side- there are no restrooms. So I was thinking of renting a potty trailer. Not gross porta-potties, but a nice trailer that has two little bathrooms with sinks and running water. The venue would be completely free, so I really don't mind spending money on nice potties. It's only about $150 for the rental.
So, is that crazy? Any other ideas? I just can't imagine asking people to bring their little ones to a park with no potties! Should I scrap it and go with another, busier park, look for another venue, or embrace the potty trailer?
The playground and sprinkler pad would be the main entertainment, plus some frisbees, balls, etc, a pinata, drinks, snacks, cake.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Other than the fact you may have to spend the day chasing off complete strangers from using the potty I think it's a fun idea....lol.

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H.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

As someone who constantly has to go and avoids places that do not have restrooms I think it is a fabulous idea.

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E.S.

answers from New York on

This sounds like a fabulous idea. The potty wouldn't only accommodate kiddos but grateful parents as well.

I went to a wedding at a winery that had similar potties. But the focus was all on the party as opposed to the potty.

Go for it and let us know

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J.K.

answers from Kansas City on

I think it's a great idea! And you know they will be clean! I just had one thought. Is a potty trailer OK with the city? That's the only thing I would be curious about. Better check with them first.

3 moms found this helpful

O.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I think you would have to check with the park to see if they would even LET you do that. There are tons of public parks that have nice bathrooms in the newer neighborhoods. I would just find one of those. JMO. Good luck.

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A.A.

answers from Tulsa on

The potty trailer sounds like a cool idea, I didn't know that existed. We had my son's birthday at a little park in our neighborhood with no bathrooms, either but no splash pad. We did an hour at the park to play and then came to our house for cake and presents (and a potty, of course). We didn't have any problems, but the whole party wasn't there of course.

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

1st thought: eeew, ick. (sorry)

2nd thought: well, if you have to. (sorry) & as someone else mentioned, you will have to get a permit for it.

2 moms found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Phoenix on

Sounds kinda weird. 3 is a hard one. I did one at 2 and and one at 5 yrs old in phoenix parks with no bathrooms and no problem. 3 yr olds have their parents with them so they could easily go to a neighbor or mcdonalds close by if they need to go to the bathroom. someone will have to "man" the potty, just as you will have a couple of grown ups "manning" the sprinker pad, or you will have little ones playing in it... a 3 year old party requires a lot of "manning". This just adds more responsibility on you (food, presents, games, running an obstacle course, making sure suzie is not hitting johnny...). I'd leave the bathroom responsibility to the other parents. Even though it is a 3 year old party the parents usually bring their other kids as well so I does get chaotic if not totally organized. Have fun, and not stress.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Those potty trailers are nice. If you don't mind the expense, and the park allows it, I'd go for it. Most also have a sink. Many venues I've been to have potty trailers and I would certainly appreciate it. You should put a sign on them, though, that they are for your group only.

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S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

i dunno. all else being equal, i guess if you've got the $ for it, it's a really nice thing to do for the guests. and a better use of money than spending it on chuck e cheese::::::::::::shudders::::::::::::::::
i just keep thinking, though, that that's a lot of money to spend on a 3 year old party. i myself would keep the party at the park, which sounds terrific, and just research nearby venues where there are bathrooms, or give parents a heads-up to have their little ones tinkle before they come. i mean, a party for a 3 year old probably won't go on for hours, will it?
i guess that's just me being cheap. it's not crazy. it's nice.
:) khairete
S.

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J.S.

answers from Phoenix on

I've had a party for one of my kids at the neighborhood park and it did not have a potty. It was for one of our oldest son but we had the issue with all of our younger kids. I do remember having to leave and take a few potty breaks back at the house which kindof stunk. My friend had a party at a park as well and there were no bathrooms. Brought all the kids to that one and it stunk as well. She didn't offer to go back to her house for bathroom breaks (not saying she needed to) but we drove nearly an hour to get to the party first, so it made for a LONG day. Now I always try to find a park or venue that has restrooms. Luckily we do have a park nearby that is relatively quiet, that has a bathroom.

I think it's a great idea, if you can afford it.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from San Francisco on

If you have the party at that park, you definitely have to rent the trailer. I think it's a good idea. Sounds like it will be a really nice party.

No way can you have a party for a 3 year old with no bathroom access.

1 mom found this helpful
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