Hello all!
My son will be 2 the first week of May. We are ready to think about planning his birthday party!
The weather here can be really wishy washy that time of year, so I may be a bit risky in thinking about planning to have it outdoors but so far we were thinking of renting the park shelter at our nearby state park. It's very secluded, has large grills, shelter with picnic tables, water pump, playground equipment, bathrooms and lots of grass and running room.
I was sort of thinking about having a party there and making it adult friendly as well. Grilling burgers and hotdogs for everyone, cake of course, drinks for the adults, letting the children play on the playground, hit a pinata, maybe have a few lawn type games out (tball, etc. mostly for the older kids.) Basically laid back and just letting the kids play and the adults hopefully sit back and enjoy a bit too (after all, it is Cinco de Mayo!) I would have to hope and pray for good weather. We could be protected from the rain, but that wouldn't help much if it were cold and the ground all wet.
Was thinking to invite grandparents, my and his dad's siblings (so Henry's aunts/uncles), and about 5 other families around here some with and some without children. Basically the people that Henry knows best.
Curious what others have done for 2nd birthday parties and your thoughts on my ideas. They're not completely child centered but I know things like that can get too overwhelming for young toddlers. Also what time of day would be best? - I think if we are doing the food mentioned above it would need to either be over lunch or dinner and I want to avoid nap time obviously. Ideally, I like the idea of after nap so that parents and kids aren't rushed to get out of there with cranky toddlers in need of a nap. But I'm just not sure. A morning party ( 10:00- 12:00?) is also an option but I'm kind of sad to think everyone would be needing to rush out and leave when it's supposed to be fun for everyone, adults included :)
Thoughts? Experience? THANK YOU!
And would it be weird to serve meal at like 4 pm?
We had just family over for DS's 2nd birthday. We had it outside. Taped long sheets of paper to a board on the ground. Gave the kids pots of paint and let them go crazy painting. We told everyone ahead of time so they good wear grungy clothes or bring smocks. After clean up we had a BBQ, the kids ran around the yard, and then cake/presents. Very fun and everyone got to take home their works of art.
I think a party at the park sounds great. If you're trying to avoid nap times, I suggest 3:00 - 6:00 and do the food at around 4:00 - 4:30.
One thing you said caught me - the pinata. I know EVERYONE does them, but it just makes me so nervous having kids who are blindfolded swinging around a baseball bat. I never have them and I never watch when others have them. Just my own paranoia!
Also, drinks for the adults? Not alcoholic drinks, right? It is a kids party and you don't want to send kids home in cars when parents have been drinking. (Even beer and wine are alcohol)
I would also do a pin the tale on the donkey game. Kids of all ages can and WILL want to play. It's amazing to see how many kids absolutely LOVE that game! You could also do a little treasure hunt. Get there early and hide some clues leading to a prize.
You'll have a great time! Have fun planning!
My DD turned 2 last Friday. We had a very small gathering at my place for dinner.
Then again we have a very small family, those in state anyway. It worked out great. DD was aware of the cake aspect but not too overwhelmed. We put a hat on her, sang happy birthday and let her "rip" open the presents. she was not too aware of them.
I would totally center it around your child's best time of day. The park sounds great and the morning aspect even better.
Think of your child first and what he would react to best.
We kept it simple. Gave the kids chalk and bubbles and let them run outside. DD's birthday is August, so we had a kiddie pool but this year the swingset was a bigger hit. We serve kiddie snacks and I gave them cupcakes. I made the cake - butterfly "cut cake" (you cut it up and rearrange it). My great-niece had a small bounce house at her party, and a pinata, but it was otherwise a cookout and very similar. I'd be laid back about it. We did her 2nd in the late morning and 3rd in the early afternoon since she was no longer napping. A park pavilion sounds like a nice idea.
