Why Am I Making This Hard? Trying to Plan My Sons 2Yr Birthday Party .

A 2 year old doesn't need an elaborate party. The children his age will want to play, no organized games will do for this age. A small park setting is a great place for a 2 year old. My grandson had his party at the park and the children loved playing on the swing sets, sand boxes, etc. and there was less stress for everyone involved. Serve cake, ice cream, fruit, and have a great day!!

I know this is too late for the original poster, but in case anyone else is perusing this looking for help, big elaborate parties are for the MOMS not the children at this age. They would be happy to just have a friend or two and to play with their toys or a Barney or Veggie Tales tape (DVD). They really won't care about big stuff until they start school and that will be mostly because their friends are having them. I'd wait until 5 to have an "all out" party. I did take my boys to a McDonld's party at 3 and 4, but only a handfull of children were invited. But they got to play, that's all they want at that age anyway.

i would say easier is better. i have a 2 1/2 year old daughter and i just read an article in the october issue of child magazine called best-ever birthday party planner. IT SAID: THE CLASSIC RULE OF THUMB: INVITE ONLY AS MANY GUESTS AS YOUR CHILDS AGE-OR HER AGE PLUS ONE. YOUNG CHILDREN ARE STILL LEARNING ABOUT THE WORLD AND MAY NOT BE COMFORTABLE WITH LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE OR UNFAMILIAR FACES. WHICH MAY NOT BE REALISTIC FOR CHILDREN TODAY WHO HAVE NUMEROUS FRIENDS. TO CREATE A COMFORTABLE SETTING INCORPARATE FAMILIAR CHARACTERS OR THEMES.CANNELING INTO A SPECIFIC ACTIVITY IS KEY FOR CHILDREN 5 AND UP.FOR KIDS AGES 2 TO 4 THE PARTY SHOULD LAST 90 MINUTES TO 2 HOURS. THAT IS VERBATIM TO WHAT THE ARTICLE SAID. BUT MY ADVICE IS : I JUST RECENTLY WENT TO MY NEICES B-DAY PARTY WHO TURNED 2 THERE WAS SO MANY PEOPLE AND SHE MADE HOMEMADE QUESIDILLAS AND SO MUCH FOOD THAT IT WASNT ENJOYABLE AND IT DIDNT SEEM TO BE FOR THE KID. I AM ABOUT TO CELEBRATE MY DAUGHTERS 3 B-DAY ON THE 31ST OF OCTOBER AND I AM HAVING IT OUTSIDE ORDERING PIZZA HAVING CAKE AND ICE CREAM KIDS LOVE THAT AND IT IS ABOUT THE KID. I WILL BE GETTING A MOONWALK AND I AM HAVING 3 KIDS ER AGE. BUT I SAY KEEP IT SIMPLE NOT ONLY FOR YOUR CHILD BUT FOR YOU TOO. GOOD LUCK AND TELL YOUR SON HAPPY B-DAY

T.,

I would keep it small. He's not going to remember too much about it. If there are neighbor kids that he plays with or relatives near by, invite them over. Have a "toddler friendly meal" - hotdogs, mac n cheese, something like that. And just let the kids play. That's all they really want to do. You could even open the presents earlier than usual so that the kids can play with all the new toys.

I'd save Chuck E Cheese for another year - when he's a little older (5,6, or 7). Just remember, if you start off big, you're going to be expected to top it each year!!

This may sound a little harsh, but remember, he is only going to be 2. I know you want to have a memorable party, but the time you spend stressing over it is time you could have spent with him. When your party takes place, how much will he remember at 14-19-25? Just take lots of pictures and the memories will never be lost. Enjoy your children!
J.

First things first...chill out. There is absolutely no reason to stress. The truth is, at 2, the birthday party is more for you to celebrate than your son. He wont remember it, could care less who's there, and will have fun no matter what, as long as mommy is happy.
For all 3 of my kids 2nd & 3rd birthdays, I simply took the kids to the park, invited family and close friends, along with their kids-ages ranged all over because you dont want to tell people they can't bring all of their kids simply because they're older- served b-day cake and icecream, and let them play.
I made little gift bags for all the kids to take home, plus made a few toy baskets with things like toy snakes and noisemakers from the dollar store for the kids to play with during the party.
The kids had fun playing at the park, parents got to talk and enjoy each others company, and no big clean up afterward.
Take my advice and save the stress for when your son is old enough to tell you what he wants (which will usually be something thats a total pain to plan and execute..lol)
Just relax and have fun.

I say keep it simple. You have the Halloween party thing so that is already fun. Kids usually just love running around with other kids and playing with their toys. One Halloween game I have done is "Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin" I cut out a pumpkin out of constuction paper and then made a bunch of tiranlge noses with tape on the back; then it works like "Pin the tail on the donkey." You could just have a Halloween parade through your house and the kids will have fun. Don't stress; the child is two and just wants friends and cake!

Don't do bounce or Chuck E. cheese, he's too little! The party is more for you, so invite your friends with kids, whatever their ages. Do simple food, keep it short. Just put out some toys, maybe crayons. If it's nice you can go outside. Get lots of pictures! We just had my son's 2nd and had a small cookout, and cupcakes instead of cake. I planned on buying cute decorations, but bagged that idea. He really doesn't care, why spend the money. Be sure to schedule around nap time, so the birthday boy isn't cranky. And have a definite ending time, the kids will all start to go crazy if it goes on too long. Be sure you can have fun and relax too.
My older son is turning 6 in December, and he will expect us to go all out. Wait till they have expectations before you do anything too big
Good luck!

You have every right to go all out if you want to. If you are wanting to make it a Halloween theme (i.e. costumes) then Chuckie Cheese isn't the place to go. Ever taken a couple of two year olds there? Its horrible lol my daughter and nephew got so overwhelmed it was crazy. Plus you won't really get much time with your guests. If you want do it at home or a rec center. you can have a coloring craft, play halloween music and they can dance (2 yr olds LOVE to dance) there is a great website FULL of WONDERFULL ideas for games and such. http://www.partygameideas.com

http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com is also one of my favorite places for ideas.

I went all out for my daughters second birthday. We have a huge family with a lot of close family friends so there are usually about 40 people at her parties. Most are older and the kids few and spaced out in age. I go all out on my favors and they get to play with those. Last year we did a pinata and they loved it, this year it was at the park and they played on the plaything and in the sandbox (favors were sand toys in such for a beach theme :))

HTH

Hey T., I think it is a great idea for them to dress up in costumes. I would do it at the house and make it halloween themed. You can do a search for halloween recipes and games etc.. As far as the ages go use your judgement. I hope this helps,
C. mommy of 3

When I had my daughter's 2nd birthday we just went to Kid's dug out. We grilled out hotdogs and hamburgers, had chips and cake. I kept it simple, but yet all the kids had a blast playing on the playground. My daughter wouldn't have cared if nothing had happened. So, just keep it simple and your child will have fun anyway!

I say don't break the bank. Doing a big party at this age is not for the kid it is for the parents and other children, because he will not remember any of it when he gets older. I would have a costume party, and invite your friends, some of his friends and just do a party with everyone. You could do a cake specifically for your little one, but I wouldn't go all out this year, maybe next year do something bigger. We waited til our daughter was 4 before we did the big party, I just wanted her to really enjoy it. I have a friend who did this for both her son's 2nd and 3rd birthday, and then when he turned 4 she did the bigger blow out.

I always stress over my children's birthdays. My husband has ban all parties from our home. (after my daughters first I was in the bed for 3 days with a migrane) I would think that if you did it at home and had something like the bounce house it would be good. Where we live they have a place set up that they do the bounce house parties. You can do a privite party and they have a room for children under 6. I would check with the different places. You want to make sure that you keep them busy if you have it at home. Crafts always work good. They could paint TShirts.

A great rule of thumb is to invite one child per year. (In this case two friends!) I had a hard time doing this as I have a big family, but honestly at two...they don't really know. They are just happy to have cake!

Considering the age of your children if I didn't want to mess up my home...I would invite two friends and their families to Chuck E. Cheese or better yet (and cheaper) to the local park or zoo! This time of year is still usually great to play outside! If not, have it at your home, but I would rent all the equipment. Keep it short, maybe an hour and a half. Cake and icecream. At this age a lot of people have them in the morning, which is good for two year olds. (That way they can go home and nap!!! LOL) Plan a couple games if you want, like duck duck goose or a pinata. And because it is so close to Halloween, make it a costume party if you like! But I would mostly let the kids play. Have gift bags with a sucker, couple party favor age appropriate toys, a sticker, a helium balloon and a box of animal crackers. Using his favorite theme...you can't go wrong!

I too, like you, always wanted everything to be so perfect for my twins' birthday. You aren't alone!!! We want the best for our kids, right? Naturally!!! LOL And that is one thing I like to do "up big" for them. (They have summer birthday's though...there is no party at school.) But I really didn't start the big party with friends until they turned four. It was always family and close friends until then. And I have gotten more creative on how to do it and not spend a fortune. That is key. Just remember...Keep it simple! He'll love it no matter what you do!!!

I think it is great that you want to do a Halloween themed party! Here are a couple ideas: You can get cheap, small pumpkins, for each child....that is their going home gift....You can hide them (easy)and tell the kids to find 1 pumpkin....then use them to do a pumpkin roll race/game....then you can get markers or paint and decorate the pumpkins later for them to take home. You can use glue and buy pom-poms, wiggle eyes, yarn for hair, etc also. Just lay out some newspaper onthe floor and let them sit in a circle and paint together.....roll up the mess when your done and throw it out. All this should keep them busy. And if you want to invite older kids, they will think this is fun too. You can also make pumpkin shaped cookies and get food safe markers or little icing kits and let them decorate and eat them.
We have a large family with kids all ages, so we always have a wide range of ages. My daughter's birthday is October 19th, so this is all stuff I have done.
There are no rules as long as it is what you want.
Have fun!!

Your son is only 2yrs old. He's not going to remember his birthday so I wouldn't go all out. Maybe a small party at home. You can invite your relatives and maybe one or two of his playmates.
When he's 4 or 5 would be a good time to do the bouncy thing or Chucky Cheeses.
For birthday party ideas I recommend the website: http://www.birthdaysinbirmingham.com
It says Birmingham, but its other towns too.

The library has books with party ideas too

Since they are two year olds, maybe you can get the same inexpensive party gift that they can play with on their own and their won't be any fights
good luck and relax! it will be fine!

Single, frugal mom of 6yr old.

My son turned 2 in August and we went to the new park in Trussville. I rented the pavillion and just let the kids play. I liked it alot better than having it at my house because the kids had something to do.

Hi....I was also going to suggest something at home. Rangling up 2 and 3 year olds in a public setting is difficult. Always better to have it where you can keep a good eye on them and always an even better idea if you have the parents invited too for good measure :0) Not a lot you can really do as far as games but make little goodie bags.....have snacks and such.....if you are going to do it around dinner time pizza might be a good idea. Something small and short and not too stressful is always the best way to go.

Good question...Why ARE you making this hard?
I bet I have the answer. The real question is, WHO are you trying to impress?
Remember, the purpose of the party is to celebrate your child's birthday, NOT to have great stories to tell at work.
Time will come when they start attending the "competitive" parties: mini-circus, pony rides, and other themed parties that parents throw to try to out-do the other parents.
All the KIDS really want is to have a good time.

Money doesn't buy happiness, nor does it buy a happy childhood. Keep it simple, and make lasting memories. Don't encourage the competition wars.

***I'm VERY sorry if I have offended anyone with my comments here. I never was rich enough to buy into those "purchased parties", nor did I let my kids attend any until they were in Middle School and they went to bowling or skating parties. Their friends LOVED coming to their parties, because they were allowed to PLAY like kids...not forced to participate. I always got a "Thanks, Ma'am, that was the BEST party ever!" I also took a cake decorating class, and the kids looked forward to seeing what I'd built for that year's party. (It ranged from a sheet cake with Sesame Street� characters to a Big Foot truck, to a sweet 16 record player with edible record!)

Bottom line: don't knock yourself out...yet. Let them grow up first before you fall for the big demand stuff.

This is a great time of year for a birthday party. Here's my suggestion. I would have like a halloween party. Maybe you can play "pin the wart on the witches nose", which is fun, or you can do some type of halloween craft, depending on how many children are going to be there. Maybe you can purchase a small pumkin for each child and let them use paints or markers to decorate a face on them and that can be their party favors. Maybe you can arrange for a hay ride of some sort. Two year-old parties are so fun because the birthday kids really get into the excitement. I hope my ideas will help you.

K.

Well, for my son who will four on the 24th of this month is having a party at chuck E. Cheese. I found it easier to have parties at these types of places because it's less work for you, you can still have the kids come in costume but you won't have to worry about anything else except paying for it.

Good Luck!

Go to BounceU, it's safe, fun, clean and absolutely worth it!

Maybe you should go to the BounceHouse or Jumping Monkeys. I dont know if you have heard of these places but I know my 2 year old son loves it there. Its basically a room full of tons of different moonwalks and stuff. There is also toys and stuff. Its really a fun place to go. AND you can have the kids dress up too!!!