Looking for Ideas for the Upcoming Birthday of My 2 Years Boy:)

Dear S.,

No clown please, too young and some of his friends might be too. Also no jumping house thingy either. Not safe. Big area to run and play. Take those streamer things that the children can run with - you may have to make some safe ones, you can do it. Also, finger foods, and cup cakes instead of a cake or along with a cake, so you can blow out the candles. Go to a near by park, so that they can dig in the sand, yes, I know, sand is messy, and play on the jungle gyms and slide if it isn't too tall. Balloons if the parents help you pick up the pieces as soon as they pop. they can get stuck in a child's throat, you know. Pop scicles (sp?) and lots of already moist wash cloths and hand towels, maybe they would like to have a balloon tied to their clothes so parents can keep an eye on them easily. Count the children and keep on counting, that is a better way to keep track of them than by name, rank and serial number.

If you would like and can afford it, hire about 3 or 4 high school girls to help out with all the playing and eating and stuff so that you can relax and enjoy talking to the parents too. High School girls are really sweet, if they are sweet, and like little children. It hasn't been very long since they were the same age and they would have fun too. If they have fun with little children at all. You know what I mean.

Just some ideas, they may not work for you.
C. N.

My youngest of three just turned two in October (boy). We have been to and hosted many birthday parties for familes. I would say that if the kids are all different ages, games would be fun. Just a few though because you will loose thier attention span. We always do a pin the tail on the donkey type of game, older ones like to help the younger ones and see who wins. A pinatta is always fun, we don't blind fold the younger ones and they love to swing at something. Also if you would like to open the presents at the party you could get all the kids invovled by letting them all hold the present they bought and then open it. Your son can open his present from you and if he is anything like the two year olds I know, he will want to play with the first present he opens . By letting the other kids help, you keep them busy and your son happy because he will be able to play with the one he opens. He'll have plenty of time to play with all his gifts later. I hope this helps, have fun!
L.

Happy Birthday Mama,
After 3 children I have learned that at a young age less is more. Two hours is perfect with food, cake celebration and running around. Nothing directed. This is about as much stimulation as they can handle at 2 years old and I wuld wait to open presents until later or even the next day.
This is just my humble experience after many birthday melt-downs from my kids.
mama jen

The Bubble Lady (www.bubblesandclowns.com) was just great for my son's 2nd bday.
A.

For the adults, you can do a quiz. How well do they know your son? Favorite things, actual birthdate (if party is not on the same day), birthweight, etc.

My daughter would live in a jumpy house if you let her! If you made it later in the afternoon (after naps), served finger type, dinner type food, and had a jumpy house- you would giving your guests a great gift also- your feeding them and exhausting their children so they can go home and just put them to bed!

What is his absolute favorite thing? Well take what he absiolutely loves and smiles and flow with it. Like if he loves dogs then make everything a dog theme. Then maybe find a dog that does special tricks for the kid to see.
Also you could ask around the neighborhood and maybe there is a kid there that wants to show off a special talent like magic. It is just a coupole of ideas I just hope your boy has a great birthday and has a smile on his face!! Best wishes T.

Hi, S., sorry to be a party-pooper, but I think that you have invited way too many people for a 2-year old's party. My rule of thumb for my 2 daughters until they were 10 years old is 1 guest for every year of age. Thus a 2 year old can have 2 friends. First of all, a 2-year old just does not have the capacity to deal with that much stress and stimulation. I would not under any circumstance have a clown! My sister had a magician for her son's 3-year party, and he spent the entire time hiding outside! Just keep things simple..cake and ice-cream, one hour maximum! All the best,S. A. (mother of 14 and 18-year olds!)

My advice is to keep it simple. Anything that you have "planned to entertain" 2 year olds will probably not hold their attention, so don't pay too much for it. A jumpy castle is a good idea, if you have room. Other than that, just have his toys at the ready for all the kids to dive into, his sandbox clean and full of digging, pouring, manipulative toys, etc and put on some music. The parents will all enjoy just hanging out while their kids are entertained by playing with new toys, so just feed them. Any activities for adults need to allow for frequent distractions by kids. There will be many birthdays ahead that will involve lots of effort, but I say, hold it off as long as you can - when he is five, he will require something like a knight party, complete with costumes, medieval buffet, fencing demonstrations and horse riding (this will all be his idea, too). Enjoy the simple parties now!!!

Hi S., this year you should check out the Kids Expo at Golden Valley High school on Oct. 19th 2008. Its a free event but gives you a ton of ideas for kids. My company Dreams Come True Parties will be there. visit our website if you like.wwwdreamscometrueparties.net.

Hi S.,
You should check out my new store called I'm A Little Teapot. We are located in Sebastopol. We do birthday parties there. He would love a Knight at the Round Table party :) We do everything including give you invitations, run the party, prepare the food and cake as well as clean up. All you have to do is show up!
Take a look, people are raving about our store!
http://www.teapotparties.com

I know you will not be disappointed! Oh and I have a member perk on here where you would get 20% off any boutqiue purchase!
A.

S., We would love to help you with entertainment for your party. I have been doing children's parties since 1993 and have two boys of my own now. We have wonderful non-scary clowns who can keep the children entertained with a variety of activities...parachute, singing, dancing, balloon animals, face painting, bubbles
My website is www.partiesbystacey.com You can see photos and read recommendations from happy moms and dads there :)

S. Parzik, owner
Parties by S.
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