Can birthday parties actually be fun?
Question of the day: How do you create a successful birthday party?
We’ve got one Saturday for Alexander, who’s turning 2. In recent days, Shola and I have turned to one another and said, “How many people are coming to this thing?” We then both shrug and say, “Not sure.” We didn’t set out to throw a big party; it just seems to have grown with each day-care/church/park/family/neighbor friend we invited. And in some cases, we needed to reciprocate invitations. Invitations seem to go out en masse for kids’ birthday parties. Parents don’t know which kid to invite from day care, so they just invite the whole class. It’s a good idea for kids, but sort of makes it hard to plan a party.
But I digress. The real issue is what to do with these kiddies. We thought about a musician, but couldn’t find anyone suitable. A clown was forbidden after our baby, Rowan, reacted with utter terror to a clown at another party. Face painting requires patience, and that’s antithetical to the idea of two dozen 2-years-olds (remember: we don’t know if this is the real number of attendees) at a birthday party. So we’ve settled on the idea of singing some songs, letting them run around the playground and eating pizza and cupcakes.
But I’m on the hunt for ideas. Got any good games? Activities? Food?
Comments
Birthday parties have gotten out of hand. A well known sage once said you should have no more guests at a b-day party than your kid is old. I tend to agree. B-day parties where the kids who will have no memories of this should stick to family only, after all, at that age, that is all it is about.
But, I am swimming upstream on this one, as long as folks insist on playing the b-day party escalation game, then fine. I like your idea just fine, frankly. It sounds perfect for kids that young.
Posted by: Jeff | April 8, 2008 3:24 PM
2 is much too young to worry about throwing the perfect party. Stick to pizza and cake, and only invite family. Nobody will be offended - in fact they may be grateful you saved them a trip to toys-r-us and all the drama.
Posted by: Fla Girl | April 8, 2008 3:58 PM
Fla Girl - wow ! There is hope after all. Since my kids were born during the decade of the 90's, I have seen b-day parties go from small, rare events, to major blowouts with no end in sight. At the risk of dating myself, when I was a kid, b-day parties only occurred with your family, and then, only if they happened on a weekend. Else, it was a very low-key event with mom and dad and siblings.
Posted by: Jeff | April 8, 2008 5:08 PM
Oh, and Matthew - don't forget you also have to wine and dine the parents, and giving gifts in return seem to be required now. I swear - last week my son went to a b-day party, and came home with a gift that appeared to be twice the value of the one he gave. Gad, where does it end ?
Posted by: Jeff | April 8, 2008 5:11 PM
I had my sons 1st birthday party at Gulfstream Beach in Palm beach County. It was fun. They have an area to b-b-q and a small playground. The best part was that it was on the beach so most of the entertainment was taken care of. Parents could relax and have fun and the kids had a blast playing in the water and building sand castles.
Posted by: beth | April 8, 2008 5:42 PM
We did our son's 1st and 2nd bday parties at a pavilion at a park with great playground facilities. For food, we did kid-friendly pizza and snacks. Put out some veggies and wings for the adults. Cake and soda/water/juice to drink and you're done. we did not hire any entertainment and were so glad. The kids were happy to play on the playground equipment. My son will be 3 this year. We own a house with a pool now, so I think that will be our next party.
Posted by: amy | April 9, 2008 10:58 AM