My daughter will be turning two on Feb. 28. I want to throw a party for her but not in our home. I also want it to be fun for kids AND adults. So far I've only found ideas for outdoor parties, but it's way too cold for an outdoor party in February. I thought about Chuck E. Cheese's, but for 30 adults and 12 kids, we're talking well over $600 (including pizza, cake, and beverages for all). I'd like to spend about half of this amount. Any ideas or advice would be much appreciated!
Julie from Illinois
I know you said it's too cold for an outside party in Feb, but so long as everyone wears appropriate clothing you can have a BLAST outside in the winter. We have a cousin who had a snow party for her two-year old and everyone enjoyed it. We had it mid-afternoon so we only had to provide snacks. We had plenty of snow so the little kids got to tumble in it and play with their buckets and shovels (which they normally use at the beach), the older kids brought toboggans, made snowmen (bring accessories to dress them up), and joined the adults in fort building and snowball fighting. We had hot chocolate and snacks on hand that weren't too messy. With all the running around no one was too cold and we brought a few extra scarves and mittens along just in case.
By Trix
How about McDonalds? They used to do birthday parties, or you could do it yourself. If you buy McD's food for everyone, the kids can play in the play area, and your could bring a cake. I would set this up with the manager at an "unbusy" time. (12/31/2004)
By Linda L.
How about a local pizza place that caters to sports teams (like Little League) and has a separate room. You could have some stuff for the kids to do, a few easy games, and everyone can sit around and eat, drink and relax. Maybe hire a teenager to paint faces or even lead some games. Just be sure the kids are entertained-it is a child's party! (12/31/2004)
By Linda L.
Have you thought about a roller skating party? My son has been skating since he's been one and we've done his first three birthday parties there. He and the rest of the kids in the family love it. The rink that we go to doesn't charge for non-skaters (usually) and offers to packages. A) Self bring everything or B) fully catered with pizza and cake and party favors. Fun for all. (12/31/2004)
If you really wanted to do Chuck E. Cheese's, you don't HAVE to buy their birthday package. You can just pay for the pizzas, get coupons online for tokens, and we always receive regular coupons for pizza/token combinations in our sunday paper. They have even taken expired coupons from us at our local Chuck E.'s.
Another fun idea that my boys like is bumper bowling at your local bowling alley. You can get 1 lane with bumpers in the gutters for the kids and another lane without for the adults who wish to bowl. They offer birthday packages, but again you wouldn't have to purchase that. You could just bring a cake and have your own party! Have Fun! (01/01/2005)
By Jill
You might try the BuildABear party. If you are in an area that has one in the malls, it can be fun for all and in the long run, not very expensive as every child makes a bear and takes it home. (01/01/2005)
By 4gramma
I think having a party for your 2 year old is great, but at that age I think that number of people may be overwhelming unless she is used to going to gatherings of this size. You could do something special for a small group of children like Chuck E. Cheese or build-a-bear and maybe have the adults over for cake later. I have 4 children and at that age, I'm not sure that they really understood the whole birthday thing. (01/01/2005)
By Ann
Way too many guests in my opinion but I applaud you for trying. My guest rule of thumb has always been having the same number of guests as the new age of the child. I.E., one guest for first birthday, two for 2 and so on. It keeps the cost and insanity to a minimum and each party will be manageable. Good luck. (01/01/2005)
What we do in our family is first decide what character the child likes. Then we shop at Oriental Trading.com for the party supplies and gift bags to hand out. Decorate your house with the supplies and just have a lunch menu. Something that your child likes. My daughter wanted to have a tea party. So we invited everyone and they dressed in Sunday best clothes. We made 'tea' sandwiches, and different kinds of teas, yes she was a little older. But the same concept applies. You could put together a tray of meats and cheeses with crackers to make it simpler. Or do something in a crackpot so it stays warm. Go on the net and search for birthday party games. Party411.com has game ideas. Hope this helps! (01/02/2005)
By Michele
For all ages a fun craft will keep the little ones still for a moment. We just made room banners for my daughters party with felt sticker letters and fun glitter shapes. The kids just peel and stick the fun shapes on a felt square. We also did a small cooking project that each child can make and eat. (12/27/2005)
By Christy
I'm not sure if you have any of these where you live, but we have indoor playgrounds that are small and you can rent them out for a few hours with fun activities and equipment for kids. I have a boy turning 2 on 2/5 and I'm looking into gymboree. I think $600 is steep for a 2 year old party, that will come when they are 15 and 16. (01/03/2006)
By Nicole from CA
I just wanted to say that I am planning on having my son's 2nd birthday at chuckee cheese also, but you do not have to purchase a party pack to have your child's party in the party room. If you have it on a weeknight as opposed to a Saturday, the room is normally quite empty and you can just come and set up your things, bring your own cake and juice boxes and simply buy pizza for the kids. I put on my invitations that pizza is provided for the kids so that any parents that are there understand that if they would like to eat while they are there, they are responsible for their own food which most adults don't mind. Then you can also purchase a bunch of tokens and divide them up as well but you're talking more like $50-$75 when it's all said and done. Hope this helps. (01/11/2006)
By Brenda
Try "my gym".. Not sure if they have one by your way.. But its a great place. Its a bit pricey but it may be less expensive out there, and its for 2 hours. You have the place to yourself, no cleanup. They provide the plastic cups, plates, napkins, invites and utensils for the children but you have to supply it for the adults. And you have to supply the food. (01/17/2006)
By Emily
My daughters birthday is the 28th of January and I am having the same problem. They sell coupons on e bay for like 65 cent and its 19.99 for 4 kids including pizza tokens and drinks. (01/27/2006)
By ebony
Hello All, I Just Wanted To Say That I Am Having A Home Party For My 2 Year Old Son On Feb. 12, 2006 And What I Did Was Invited All The Family And Friends To Come Over To My Moms House, Which She Has A Big Basement. I Ordered A Clown And Went Out To The Dollar Store And Purchased Lots Of Candy For The Pinata, Went To The Target And Got His Theme Plates, Cups Nap,Etc... And Purchased Some Games For Activity. I'll Order Pizza, And Fry Party Wings, Hots Dogs, Have Chips And Juice,Cake And Ice Cream With Lots Of Music And Call It The Night. (02/09/2006)
By TEE
My son will be 2 in may and my problem is that i have a daughter that is only 10 months older than him so HE loves Dora and i can't see throwing him a Dora party! Somebody help please!
(b)Editor's Note:(/b) My grandson's love Dora, too. There is a boy on Dora, and now he has his own show: http://www.nickjr.com/home/shows/diego/index.jhtml
At 2 I wouldn't worry about it. Everyone loves Dora! (04/06/2006)
By Tara
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