My son and my sister are exactly 10 years and 5 days apart...they've always had seperate birthday parties, but this year hers is on Thursday and his is on Tuesday, with all of the other festivities this time of year, it makes sense to have a joint (family only) party.
However, I'm on of those horribly annoying mothers who likes a big everything-coordinated type of party with a theme throughout the whole thing, and I'm having a really hard time coming up with something that both a 3 year old boy and a 13 year old girl would like.
Any ideas?
Guess I should have been more clear...my sister has her own friend party as well...this is just a little family gathering, basically consisting of my own family (DH and kiddos) and my parents and her, plus our grandparents. I'm not in any way trying to make it something for me, I am just more into the planning then she is so I'm trying to come up with ideas to present to her. And no, the 3 year old doesn't care at all, but I don't want his brothers to get the impression that it doesn't matter what he likes.
I really love the polka dot idea, super easy and cute to do with blue and pink.
I also like a garden type party, with some bugs thrown in there for my little guy.
Thanks for the suggestions! You guys are the best!
Just a thought, but have you ask them what they want? Maybe they both like Superheroes or the same movie character?
Yeah. Don't have a joint party. It's hard enough at thirteen to still be adjusting to a three year old sibling without having to share birthday parties. Make one for each end of the week. Thirteen is a special year, not one that you want to share.
My girls aren't as far apart as your kids are, but they have the exact same birthday. This year we did a carnival theme, we rented a cotton candy machine and a bounce house (there was a good deal from Margarita Hut Renatals). Then, I bought some carnival type games from Oriental Trading Company, like a milk bottle knock down game, ring toss, etc. We had lots of kids there from age one to 8 and they all had fun. My 15 year old nephew even seemed to have a good time with the cotton candy (he got to learn how to make it) and trying the more "skilled" games.
I like the carnival idea. Maybe musical chairs. Potato sack races (I've done them with pillow cases) are fun. Egg toss, egg races balancing the egg on the spoon. Little kids can hold the spoon in their hand, the bigger ones in their mouth. You can use either real eggs or plastic easter eggs depending on how messy you want it. Three legged race. Wheel barrow race. Have dollar store prizes for the winners, losers and everyone inbetween. Adults can get in on the fun too. Just make sure you have the video camera it is pretty funny to watch! Good luck and have fun!
The western theme is Awesome! I would go with that.
If they don't like that you could always just go with their favorite colors and decorate with stars. Stars on the cake, the walls, balloons. Kind of generic, that's all I got!
Here is one more idea. Since she is 13 and 'saying goodbye' to her childhood and the 3 year old is just entering.... How aobut a Disney movies theme? All of the popular movies from her childhood as well as some of the new ones? Toy Sstory, The Incredibles, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast.....????
Good luck,
C. W
www.MyHomeCottageBiz.com
Supplemental Income Ideas for Families
For my daughter's 4th birthday, we did a backyard "carnival", and it was equally appreciated by kids of all ages. We brought in a bounce house, a popcorn machine, served hot dogs and lemonade, had a clown face-painter, and even carnival music playing. I know you can also rent a cotton candy or snowcone machine. You can set up games for various kids' skill levels and have little prizes.
Who knows? It might work for you.
Good luck.
OK- Make a short list of what gets the 3-year-old all excited. Observe your 13-year-old (heaven forbid they should actually come out and tell you something!) Put the lists together until some point of 'Jelling' becomes clear. For example, many 13-year-old girls love horses. Does the little boy like pony rides? What about sports cars (wroom, vroom) and jeeps or earth-digging machines. Any artistic or musical abilities in common? Favorite music? Is "Puff the magic dragon" totally outmoded, or would it work with a small boy and an aspiring guitar player? Things they like: dogs, cats, theater, birds, rocks, etc. My best try here :-) S.
To whomever suggested a cotton candy machine, that is a fantastic answer. Sorry I know this is old but I just wanted to chime in, we just had a 10 year old's party here and we had also rented a cotton candy machine in Tampa. It makes the party fantastic. abbouncehouse.blogspot.com/2015/07/renting-concessions-and-facepainters.html And if you are thinking that it is too expensive, seriously just check out that blog, explains the value that you get and how affordable it really is. We also rented a face painter from the same company.
I know you have a lot of other ideas. I thought maybe you could do a dance party/music theme. Everyone likes music. Whatever you do, you can have separate activities for each individual. Even with the carnival idea, your sister could have her own friends and activities. Maybe some other moms could help with the activities. Good luck and have fun.
I agree with Marie, that your sister is at an awkward age. By "aging" down or up the theme of the party it may turn into something she is sure to remember, but maybe not as the birthday she always dreamed of when she turned into a teenager. I am a "coordinating nut" too, but these birthdays are not about you, they are about the individuals that you are celebrating. I would run my some of the great suggestions you received here by your sister and see what she thinks of them and let her choose. If she is not enthusiastic about any of them, let her pick the theme for her decorations and cake and let your son pick his. Good luck and I hope they both have great birthdays!
Your sister is at a very awkward age and she is turning a pivotal age. I really encourage you to do something seperate for them even if it's a movie night with her friends and maybe dinner. I think it must be challenging enough to share the spotlight with a neice or nephew at such a young age let alone having to share your birthday. It may be convenient for you, but I assure you it would be a heartbreak for her. She is becoming a young woman and a teenager this year. Make it special for her. The reality is that your 3 yr old boy is going to care less about how important you make his birthday, but your sister will care a great deal even if she says she is willing to go along with it.
I like the idea of giving your sister a little something private. Maybe you could do a huge theme party for the 2 of them, and then that night let your sister have her "best frineds" stay for a sleep over. That doesn't have to be huge...maybe a couple of movies, Twister and some junk food.
What about a Treasure Island/Hawaiian Theme...you can can have different things that are both Masculine and Feminine...and who doesn't like a good treasure hunt with a treasure box filled with goodies to find? www.orientaltraders.com has the cutest little treasure boxes that I have used to put into my treasure box. I filled them with treasure of sea shells, and gold coins, etc! The kids of all ages loved them...I have an 11 year old and 18 year old girl and boy, so this one worked for me!! Have fun!
Hi J.,
How about a magical holiday theme? Keep the characters out of it so it can appeal to all ages. Keeping it simple will also be a great way to teach your son and sister that the fun of parties is about being with the ones they love and not the stuff.
We often have joint bdays with family members and it always turns out to be alot of fun. Theme or no theme. I understand your wanting to have a big nice coordinated theme party...I'm sure you are a very creative and organized mamma (maybe a party or wedding coordinator is a possible career path? :). However, when putting together any gathering, ask yourself..."What is most important for the person who is receiving the party?"
Good luck and most of all, have fun.
In peace,
A.
mom of 4
You may want to ask your sister what she wants to do? Im sure your son doesn't care so much as long as it is fun:)
If she is up for the separate idea, then you might consider something in the evening for one and something earlier for the other if possible, as mentioned earlier. But if she really has no preference I would go ahead with something together. I think they are still young at this age and pretty easy going.
How about a pirate party?
Hi, my daughter was at a birthday party yesterday and it was so cute! It was a camping party! The kids brought sleeping bags and pillows and sprawled out in the family room (or backyard), then they introduced themselves,then did a couple of campfire songs. Then they played pin the tail on the bear (or you could do pinthe antlers on the deer). Then they went fishing, which was a large cardboard box with a pond painted on it...they propped it up against a door to a bedroom and one of their other children attached prizes to their fishingpole as they threw their poles on the other side of the box! They also built cabins or tents out of graham crackers and candy (like gingerbread houses). The cake was adorable - mountains, trees, a tent and a bear roasting marshmellows! They also made necklaces, which was a medallion that said, "Camp (whatever the name of your street is)" and they put beads on the string and then tied around their necks. She also had them put on bandanas and talked about how you could use these camping or hiking. Good luck!
K.
what about a party at the zoo. teens and young kids love the zoo and they have party packages
even though they are doing the parties the same doesnt mean they cant have seperate themes. If you are only getting one cake alot of stores will split the cake in the middle and do oneside one theme and the other side the other theme. This way they bothe feel that their special day is still their own.
We had my sister's 30th birthday and my nephew's 6th birthday together. We did a western theme. It was a lot of fun!
All of the kids wore their cowboy attire and received bandanas and sheriff's badges for party favors. My other sister made a wonderful pink frilly cowboy hat for my sister to wear!
Another suggestion would be a hawaiian theme, but I am not sure how that would go at this time of year.
You could also do a neutral theme of polka dots and have polka dot balloons, cupcakes and table decor. Have each child choose their favorite food to serve. Great colors for the party would be hot pink, turquoise and yellow. Let me know if you need any other ideas, as I am the same kind of mother as you:)
