What do you do for a 2nd birthday party?
Answer:
Well, my son will be 7 in three months and thankfully, that is a warm month. For his 2nd b-day we just had a party at the park and ordered pizza. Of course their was cake and ice cream, but we didn't play any games or anything like that. Just let the kids play on the playground, ate pizza, cake and ice cream and then opened presents. Simple as that.
I know it is hard to plan a birthday party when they are that young. All I did for my daughters 2nd birthday party was have family and a few friends over for a bar-b-q it was ton's of fun for everyone. Then we just had cake and gifts like normal. Good luck and just remember to keep it fun.
At 2 years old the party is really more for the adults than the kid. They really don't have friends yet and would be just as happy if you only gave her a cake as she would being around a group - as long as it is not nap time.
I would just have a bbq with the adults mixed in with a cake. If you really feel like you want to entertain the kids - get an inflatable bouncy house and you are good to go.
I advise you to keep it low-key. Toddlers are very prone to breakdowns. My son's second birthday went a lot like his first - cake, punch, and balloons to play with. There aren't a lot of things that people of the age range you're talking about can do together that's fun for all of them, but bouncing balloons around while you chat and sip punch can be a pretty good time.
Another idea would be, you can take everyone to a petting zoo if the weather permits, which appeals to kids of all ages.
I also recommend having a few gift bags with age-appropriate party favors in them for the kids. It's nice for the other kids to come away with a little something.
You can do the same thing you did last year. Just put a 2 on the cake instead of a 1. (smile). Food, Games, Cake. Your 2 year old will love it more this year than he or she did last year. I know that we as parent get all excited but relax and let people help you.
Keep in mind that a 2 year old doesn't necessarily "get it". So the party will really be for you and the other adults. You can decorate with pretty balloons and streamers, have a cookout and cake and icecream. That should be enough.
One thing I do every year for my daughter She is 4 now. Is buy one of those little helium tanks at Wal Mart or Target and fill up dozens of balloons She absolutly loves it. It is a tradition now she would be sad if I did not do it.
just have a party at your house, order pizza, and have a cake. let the kids run crazy all over the house and make sure you have plenty of toys out. Another thing you can do, is go to a craft store, and pick up unpainted plaster sculptures (there like $4 a piece) and have the kids paint them with Tempera Paint (it's made with eggs, so it washes out of clothes and stuff) That will keep them entertained. And for the adults, just have plenty of booze and maybe some card games or bord games to play.
Try a different assortment of games as well as things to eat and drink. I had lasagne for the adults and mini pizzas and finger foods of cheese, grapes, etc for the kids. Try putting a paper table cloth with crayons for the smaller kids. For the 10 and 6 year old, that depends on how much you want to spend. I had a dinosaurs rock party that is for kids 5 and older. That was 500 dollars. If it is warm enough a swim party is great for all, al long as you have enough people to watch the kids. You could try a bounce house. That runs about 75 dollars. There is Chuck E Cheese. Whatever you do, don't stress out over it. It should be fun. It's about your child, not everyone elses.
order some pizza for the kids, barbecue for the adults, rent an inflatable (one of those jumping inflatables) a cake with your childs favorite action figure or toy (barbie, hot wheels.. ect.) get a pinata if the children like candy. invite close family and friends. put some popular toys in the living room or a common room so that the kids can play. If the party is in the spring or summer have a pool party, or just get a little inflatable pool and put it in your backyard.
My son's two year party was just a few months ago. He had become obsessed with Shrek, so it was easy--Shrek cake, favors, pinata, and decorations, and I grabbed a 'halloween party foods' book from the library to create the menu. We also have lots of adults and kids of all ages at his parties, so we make sure there's enough food to keep the adults happy for about an hour, and plan enough games to keep the kids entertained for half and hour to forty five minutes (as they will not spend as much time eating as adults will).
One thing I did was enlist the teenagers to run the games. That way, the adults could watch as my son blew out his candles and tore apart his cake (he gets a small cake of his very own on his birthday) without lots of bored kids telling him to hurry up.
Most importantly, set up a video camera or figure out a way for someone else to handle pictures (pass the camera to an aunt or cousin, leave disposables on the tables, whatever) so that you can enjoy your child's special day. She'll only be 2 once, and wouldn't it be sad if you spent the day stressing out about decorations and games rather than enjoying the life you helped create?
Good luck!
we played movie's like Monsters Inc etc at my daughers 2 year b-day party, we also had a monkey theme. If you need favor ideas etc, go to Oriental Trading company. They sell all kinds of party themes. It was nice enough outside we had balls outside that the kids could play and the older kids there had fun playing with the younger kids at the younger kids games. Don't worry too much about it, I'm sure it will be fun. Also a scavenger hunt is also a fun thing, it can be made in parts easy enough for young kidz and difficult enough for the older kids. Also, all kids love a pinata.
Have it at a pizza place like chucky cheese or something! Adults like pizza too! Bring a cake with Dora or her fav. character ! Do party bags to match with treats in them!!!!!! If you do not have a chucky cheese near by try another place! Most pizza inns have a back room to reserve!! It is always a hit for us!!!
I am with you- my son turns 2 in less than a month- I am also having to think about other kids ranging in age from 10years to 7 months. Last year I had a transportation theme and decorated (mostly for me and the other guests) I had coloring pages for the older kids, and we just had fun-
This year his theme is Curious George (b/c I call him Monkey and he LOVES bananas). I went on FeelBaby.com and asked for treat ideas (last year I make little "dirt" pies- chocolate pudding covered in oreo crumbs, and each mini pie had a truck on it for the kids to take home. I got lots of answers saying to make banana splits, or bananas, or trail mix- but they also gave me links and I was able to get game ideas- like a curious george mask to cut out and put on a popsicle stick, and a cup that you can have look like a monkey and put treats in it- we have a big crowd b/c his daddy's side shows up as well- Last year for his first b-day we had about 30 people show, and the same are coming this year- he was ok (even though it was a big crowd) b/c he knew everybody. The older kids would color, and the younger ones were sitting on parents laps eating little jello containers that I picked up- I had apple juice jars (from baby isle) and put them in a big bowl of ice, I also had sippy cups there for the parents that forgot- and we had a cake for my son, and cupcakes for everyone else so I wouldn't have to worry about cutting the cake and such-
To shorten it up, I picked a theme (Curious George) and got the decorations and such, then got coloring pages online (type in theme name and some will come up- then copy at a copy and print store). Had a bowl of ice filled with juices and jello (older kids liked this, and you are not hyping up kids by giving them a ton of soda- parents love that too)- also when you type in the theme, game ideas come up too- the dollar store has a lot of good ideas for goodie bags (for older kids) I got some cinderella colors, and cars, finding nemo, and pooh- crayons as well- (4 boxes for a dollar).
Hope this helped- have fun!
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