Has anyone hosted or attended a birthday party at the Dallas Zoo? I was thinking about this for my son's first birthday and thought maybe I could get some insight from someone who's been there for a birthday. Thanks!
As a mom of 3.5 yr old twins, and someone who always tries to make everything perfect, I suggest that you have a first birthday at a home. At such a young age, he really wont appreciate it. Remember it is really about the adults. Celebrate you! This is also the one year anniversary of the most special day of your life! And remember, they get worn out so fast! And overwealmed as well.
Also, at home, you are already babyproofed!
I attended a party at the zoo a couple of years ago. The birthday girl was turning 6. As I recall, the invitees toured the zoo as a group and then went to the party room for hot dogs and cake and cute zoo-themed party favors. For a smaller child, you may just want to stay and play in the children's zoo area. I remember it being hard to keep the group together throughout the zoo and there wasn't much time for the kids to mingle, which probably won't matter for one year olds.
I have not been to a zoo party, but as the mother of 4 kiddos (meaning I've had one year olds 4 times) - quite honestly, having to take a one year old to the zoo and go on an organized tour would have really seemed like torture to me, lol. Ok - not torture, but not fun. And the birthday child will not even remember that birthday. I think these days it is so easy to get carried away when it comes to birthdays - but no matter what we have done over the years, the birthdays my kids remember the most, were the parties we had at home where they could just play and hang out with their friends.
If you are inviting other moms with one-year olds, I HIGHLY recommend an at home or closed room party, moms of one year olds go to parties b/c they want to socialize with other moms, lol. Carting kids around the zoo doesn't offer them that opportunity. One-year old birthdays are more for the parents than the child, so do something the parents will enjoy but that kids can be safe and entertained :)
Good Luck!
My husband's company rented out the zoo a few months ago for a company party. We took four kids with us - all 5 and under - and they had a GREAT time. I'm not sure how different a non-company party would be from what we did, but the kids all loved it. They rode the ponies, danced in the green, loved the snakes, etc. Good times. I love parties and would DEFINITELY make sure I went to another one at the zoo. I've heard that the aquarium is fun too for parties! Have a great time! I hold the memories of all my kids' first bday parties very close to my heart.
