Hey moms!
My son will be 2 in January and I'm looking for creative ideas for his next birthday. It'll be nice and chilly so that eliminates outdoor ideas. Birthdays were never big in my family and I'm determined NOT to continue that cycle for my kiddo!!
I'm trying to do something other than the Chuck-E-Cheese type parties. Instead, I've looked at birthday packages at 'The Great Wolf Lounge', and the 'Children's Museum'. Any other "out of the box" ideas are greatly appreciated.
Other helpful facts:
Birthday guests will range in age from 2 years to 5 years
I'd love for parent's to be able to participate/enjoy as well
Budget - I'm willing to start saving now!!
Location is open. We llive in McKinney but are willing to travel for a great party!
Do you have any paint-your-own-ceramics type places where you live? Or a bouncy-house place/kids' gym? You could even do an arts and crafts party at your house-Oriental Trading has lots of great and inexpensive stuff. (www.orientaltrading.com)
A community center w/a pool?
Sounds like you are determined to make it a super fun time, so good luck!!
My son will be 3 in January and we live in oklahoma so i understand the indoor necessity. I've looked at doing a party at the Zoo, they teach the kids about a specific animal, the kids get to see it, and do activities. I've also considered an indoor blow up jump place (like jumpzone). I'm doing Curious George theme so it would work at either place. There is also a train museum near by and you get to have your party in a train car and go on a train ride. Is there a firefighter museum nearby. Granted these are all places in OKC but hopefully there is someplace cool like that close to you too. Good luck!
If you have any "hands on" childrens museums in your area those are great for birthday parties
My sister is a professional clown and she is great (amazing balloons, face painting, magic show) and can get good parent involvement as well. She's really good with little kids who are nervous about 'characters' and she's located in Fort Worth, not sure how far that is from McKinney. I know she will go to homes, restaurants and she's gone to corporate birthday event places as well. I love the museum idea too.
her website:
http://www.partywithpookie.com
I had a cooking party when my son turned 2. It was a hit!!! We had it at home. I covered the large dining table with a cheap plastic cover an dusted it with flour. The kids all made their own pizza from biscuits, bowls of topping and rolling pins were provided. I gave each child an apron and chef hat. While those were cooking we had a huge bounce house in the livin room. Each child decorated a cupcake...icing and all! The invites said
we are cooking up some fun becase weston is turning 2
the only missing ingredient is you!
Good luck!
I don't know if you have Michael's in TX, but they are an arts and crafts store that has birthday parties. The kids get to do a craft and take it home -and therefore your party favors are taken care of :-).
What about a cooking class? I've looked into it for my 4 year old daughter and the price was around $300 to make one course. Some places have age requirements (they may start at 3 or 4) but it's something you can do at home and the parents can participate. The kids can make a mess all while having a great time! Additionally, it won't cost you too much to do it at home. You guys can make pizza and cupcakes. You can have the cupcakes already made and they can decorate or you can do mini-cakes or cookies w/different cookie cutter shapes. While the food is cooking you guys can play games.
We did a painting theme for my daughter's birthday. They came to our house and the kids did a hand print on one side of a tile and then they got to decorate the other. The parents had the option to add more stuff to the hand print if they wanted to. While the parents painted, the kids played. It was fun and the kids got a really neat "favor" in their tile.
They actually have "themed" parties too that they will do...Jeanean and her husband are great. HIGHLY recommend them!
