I have a son who is 10 and the other is going to be 8. The oldest has a Christmas Eve birthday and the younger one has a summer birthday. Is it wrong to have one party in the summer? I am looking for a place to have this party, seeing that our weather has been rainy and house is to small for alot of kids. If anyone has any ideas I am open.
Sometimes we have to weigh what is best for the family finances and what is a good time of year for birthday parties and so forth.
My mother had three kids...two birthdays in August and one right before Christmas...so she had the few parties she threw for us in the summer. We would have a pool party at on the Air Force base. We thought it was awesome!
Hi D.,
Check out my website, www.kidwinks.com. We list about 100 birthday party places in the Chicagoland area in the Services section. Here's the link to the exact url: http://www.kidwinks.com/ForKids/KidsParty/PlacestoParty/.
If you become a member of kidwinks, which is free, you can sort these results in order of distance from your house.
Kidwinks.com is a resource for parents in the Chicago area looking for kid-friendly events, activities, restaurants, shops and services (like birthday party places!). In the restaurants section, you'll find our Kids Eat Free Calendar, where you can click on a day and get a list of restaurants offering kids' dining deals (like "kids eat free") for that day. Check it out!
Hope this helps,
J.
I combine birthday parties to have them all in the summer. I have two kids with November birthdays, one in March and one in April. I combine the two November to have one in September/October and the other two will have a party in May/June. We also go out to dinner on everyone's actual birthday and have a cake so no one gets left out. My parties that I combine are just family and friends of the family, not the kid's school friends, so I would make sure your kids are ok with combining school friends before making that decision.
As far as sharing the party, I'd ask your sons what they think. I know that many park district pools offer pool bday parties, which I think kids that age would love. I also liked the ideas below about a dodgeball/kickball party or the baseball game. It depends on what your kids and their friends are into. There's also bowling if you want to be indoors. Have fun!
It is all in how you present it. My birthday is on Christmas Eve and so is a friend of mine's son...it would have been a lot of fun to do something different one year and have something in the summer. My friend had to do a summer party when her son was 9yrs and he was thrilled. The Kane County Cougar games have birthday packages and is guarantee a fun time. My girls bdays are 3 months apart and we combine them for the family party and they have never complained because you still do the special day stuff.
My son (9) is also a Dec. baby, and it is tough! This year, we are planning a football party at the nearby park. I asked 2 college students I know who used to play football, to organize a couple of games at the park. Then they will come to the house(tired I hope) for hot dogs and hamburgers. .My son is really excited! I have also had pizza delivered to the park if you don't have room in your yard.
I don't see anything wrong with pushing back the party! Just means he gets two cakes!:)))
Hi D.,
I have winter & summer sons as well so I understand. I think if it works to have 1 big party, do so, but I always feel like I'm cheating my 5 yr old since my 11 year old had more parties...but who's counting (us Moms..lol) Anyway, I don't know your budget, but Pump It Up in Orland Park is awesome. I've been to a few parties there, but if the party price isn't right, they have open days ... check it out online. Good luck! :)
S.
Hi D.,
If youre going to have a party for 8 and 10 year olds, I have the perfect solution. Last summer at street fair on Southport in the city they had a laser tag inflatible! I've never seen anything like it. It was a big black square that looked like it was maybe 20' x 20' square. It was smoking hot out, but cool inside. My kids are 6 and 9 and had a ball. They must have gone in to do iot 30 times, maybe more. The company's web site is www.all-4-fun.com ###-###-####. All the boys that age love it!
I disagree with the other posters. My birthday is on Christmas Eve and it either got lost in the Christmas festivities or it got combined with someone else's birthday. I hated it. All of my other siblings had their own special day and got their own parties and I didn't. I had 2 Uncles and a sister who had Decemember birthdays (all in the beginning of the month) and we would either celebrate my birthday with my Uncles or with my sister. It was like "Happy Birthday _____! Oh yeah and you too A.". I got to the point where I hated my birthday.
But you know your child best and know how he would feel about sharing it and celebrating it 6 months prior. If it doesn't bother him- go for it. Just make sure.
Good luck and have fun!
A friend of mine rented a park district gym and had a dodgeball party. The kids loved it! It might be fun (if it were to work out with the ages/sizes) to have each of your sons have their own team and play against each other. She gave out dodgeballs for the goody bag. Or you could have a kickball party at the park.
Walgreens sells youth t-shirts for 5 for $5.00. You could buy t-shirts and decorate them to make team shirts.
I agree that it is all how you present it to get the kids on board. But what 8-10 year old boy doesn't like a game of dodgeball/kickball and a little competition?
Have fun!
Pump It Up party. Kids love them. www.pumpitupparty.com
My nephews both have birthdays in the month of May....their parents have had one party for both of them and they are 3 years apart. They don't really like it because it takes away from their individuality and their friends. And although it is convenient for some of the family....I would rather go to two parties or ice cream socials for them just to celebrate their own birthdays. My own kids would NEVER want to share their bday parties with anyone....especially my 10 year old. But I do understand the finacial costs of having two. And in your situation, with one being so close to Christmas......maybe that birthday can be held at the local ywca by having a swimming party to break up the boredom of winter???? Have you asked your children what they would like? Good luck!
I have an 8 year old also. His last birthday we did pump it up. Indoor jumping....All ages loved it including ME....The price was reasonable too...Great way to zap that little boy energy.
D. T
