2Nd Birthday - Woodstock,IL

Just cake, coffee, and juice for any children and family. More than that causes confusion and sometimes fear with the birthday cake. It can just get to be too big for a little one.

We just had a party at home with our relatives on the weekend before and then on his actual birthday we took him to a train restaurant for dinner, which he loves. I know there are two here in Downers Grove and I think there's one up in Arlington Heights? Maybe invite a couple of his friends or relatives. It seems like most of the kids love trains at age 2.

Hi J.,
I am a birthday party planner (pieceofcakebday.com) and for this age you do not need to spend a lot. Set out some toys to go with whatever theme you choose (I did teletubbies for my girls' 2nd birthday). You can have a picture treasure hunt to find the cake/cupcakes or goody bags. Draw a picture of different things around your house (tub, fridge, your sons' crib or bed,), then label them Clue #1, #2 etc. Hide the "treasure" at the last clue. Kids love to run from clue to clue (:
A pull the strings pinata is also good for this age but does cost money.
Crayons and paper are always a good activity, or decorate your own cupcake (cupcakes are much cheaper and easy to make). Please feel free to email me if you have questions!

Hi -

I've heard good things about Gymboree Parties and Jump Zone.

http://www.jumpzoneparty.com/
http://www.gymboreeclasses.com/b2c/customer/home.jsp

Good luck!

Courtney

I had a park party for my son when he turned 2. I would wait towards the end of March to give the weather a chance to get a little warmer (we do get some really nice days in March & April). I picked a park that had tables & bathroom facilities. I called everybody about 6 days before, so that I could get an idea of the weather on the weekend & then invited people by phone. We gave each child a sand pail & shovel as part of their goodie bag. The kids had a blast, I didn't have to mess up my house & it was inexpensive.

We are just having a brunch at home for my son's 2nd with family...I am going to do a Handy Manny Theme.

Hi J.,

My daughter is turning 2 in April and I am having her party at my local park district. They have a room for toddlers with lots of fun things to explore, climb, and run around. I am also going to have a few tables set up for coloring and a very simple craft. Then we will open presents and eat cake and ice-cream. The room rents for only $37 an hour if you are a resident, not sure how much if you are not a resident, but I would check out your local park district. We actually had her first birthday party here too and it was a huge hit. Her first was a lot bigger since it was her first. This year it is just going to be immediate family and then friends and family that have children. We are doing a barnyard animal theme, becuase she loves animals.

Good luck! Hope this helps some! I know other suggested gymboreen and Little gym and places like that, which I looked into, but they were just way to expensive for me expecially since this is only her 2nd birthday and most likely won't really even remember it.

I'd keep it small...he is 2 and will not even remember it...keep bigger parties for when he will remember

My daughter will be turning 2 on the 20th. I decided this year to have relatives over. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and and close great uncle and aunt. Think about 20 total. But almost 1/2 of them can't make it. So I am either going to make a pasta dinner or order pizza. Then get some decorations with Mickey Mouse clubhouse on it because that is her favorite show. Oh and of course cake, which I will invite the a few of the neighbors over for then.

For my son's 3rd birthday last year we had just mainly family and only a couple of friends (two that he played a lot with). It was fun for everyone to visit and b/c it was at our house I didn't have a big rental cost for a facility. We bought the cake and decorations, and made a lot of food ourselves. Definitely much less expensive than having a big party out somewhere. I figure we'll save those for when he's older and has more kids to invite. We are doing the same thing this year. He had just as much fun running around the house and playing with toys and kids and it wasn't as stressful on us trying to lug everything out of the house. He wasn't overwhelmed. His first birthday we had a huge one with extended family and b/c I had to take it out of state since we are transplants, it was a major ordeal--financially and stresswise because we had to take everything there and rent a place.

Happy Birthday to him!

when my oldest turned 2 I had Crayons as the theme - I put bunches of helium balloons everywhere with crayons holding them down, my food was a fruit tray with a fruit for each color of the rainbow and a veggie tray with a veggie for each color of the rainbow. Drinks were 7-up with ice cubes that were different colors of kool aid frozen. You could use fruit juice ice cubes too, but not sure if you'll have as many colors.

I had a HUGE paper out for the kids to draw on, we did a crayon hunt (like an easter egg hunt) and we had a crayon art project to do. Gift bags were crayons that they got on the hunt.

I think something simple would be nice. I see so many parents go wild with their child's first or second birthday parties and then they as should we open the presents at the party or later. Are you kidding... Parties for one and two year old children should be simple. Not a how many presents or how much money can I get by having a party.
Inexpensive is easy if you just have a very simple get together at your home and not invite every friend you have and every child in the neighborhood. You also do not need to do goody bags. You should not have to pay someone to come to your beautiful son's party. You could have something as simple as an afternoon get together with just cake and light snacks.
I know many will disagree with me but my son is 18 years old now in his first year a discipleship school. His birthday parties were always simple. His first party was a nice picnic in your yard. Only grandparents, Aunts and Uncle + cousins attended. They just played in the front lawn for games and gifts were minimal. Second birthday was similar.
J., make it simple... Your son will love you no matter how much you spend. As I said our son is 18 now and looks back at the pictures and movies and smiles about how those times were so simple. 2 year olds can be entertained pretty easily. Love the idea Nora gave you. A great inexpensive simple party idea.

Honestly, keep it simple. My son turned 2 in December and I tried to make this elaborant party with tons of presents and people and he ignored everyone and everything. He didn't even care about opening his gifts. He did however like blowing out his candle. I would invite a few close people and friends and just give the kids a little craft to do, like playdough! My son loves playdough and its messy enough for him and clean enough for you. I hope he has a great birthday!

Hi J.!
My son will be turing 4 on Feb 7, and this year we've decided to take him out to breakfast, and then bowling. I know both my son's love going bowling, and even 2 year olds could do it! We're just inviting immediate family bacause I think big parties can be so overwhelming for litle ones. I usually like to pick up balloons for him to wake up to, and sing happy birthday when he sees them. I tell him how happy I am that he was born.

Hi J., I agree with the ladies who said to keep it simple. Do something at home with a few friends or the park/beach is a great idea. I would suggest Chuck E Cheese, but it might be too much for 2-3 year olds. You don't have to make a reservation if its only a few people, & you can print coupons off the website(chuckecheese.com). When my daughter turned 2 we had hot dogs, chips, cake & ice cream at home with a few friends, we did the same thing when she turned 5. No matter what you do remember it's about your son & you want to make sure he has fun. My daughter doesn't care about the party. She will be 7 in March & she is having cake & ice cream at school, then we are going to Wisconsin Dells(just me & her) for spring break...which is 2 weeks after her bday. She gave up her party to spend the week with me. So it's all about the fun the bday person has.

We just had close family this time around, with his maternal grandparents & auntie coming in from out of town for the weekend. I made him a cake in the shape of a lollipop & decorated it with gummi bears. He was more excited to see everyone & ham it up for them. Since he's only 2, he's more apt to remember that he got to see people who love him than what the "theme" of the party was.