Second Birthday Party

I wouldn't worry about having an activity right before going into Deanna Rose. If you have the cake and ice cream first that will be enough. The kids will be excited enough to see the animals and just to go inside that an activity doesn't seem necessary. What may be a good idea is giving each child
(2) quarters to buy food for the animals, maybe put it in a little bag with stickers and some candy or just by itself, of course, you decide how much to spend! I know it can get expensive. Anyways, I hope your son has a great birthday at Deanna Rose!
V.

Just have another small family party, then go to Deanna Rose. Cake, ice cream, and paper goods for 36 people is more money than we could afford on a "tight budget." It is recommended by the "experts" that you have as many "guests" as your child is old. Thirty-six people is overwhelming, even to adults!!

I haven't been out to the farm since the construction started- that does stink that the park/playground is gone.

Honestly,kids under age 4 I don't think are 'into' the parties the way that the parents are.

We had our son's 4th birthday at Deanna Rose...We bought tickets for the pony ride/fishing/hayride.....I know it is different now -and more expensive.

We did the cake at those tables in front of the gate and it worked fine.(We avoided the park b/c we figured the kids would just start playing and we would never gather them all together as a group again.)

The kids really just had a blast seeing the animals.

We went to a party that was 'organized' - one of the official parties - and I think the boy was 2. (My ds was friends with his older brother which is why he was invited) I think the only advantage was having the designated area to eat. (When we had ds' party we had one of the family members stake out a table shortly before we gathered to eat.)

I would also say that it is probably okay to not open presents there. Maybe do that at the 'family party'.

There is still a playground a little further from the entrance at D. R., and I'm pretty sure there are one or two picnic tables there (plus some shade). I agree that two y.o.s aren't into birthday parties the way a 4 or 5 y.o. would be. A simple game like pin the tail on the donkey or a bucket toss will probably be more successful than a craft. Best wishes!

go first thing in the morning if you can they only clean the restrooms once a day and it gets really ucky by the afternoon. we actually had cake and ice cream in shelter across from the farmestead but I can't recall if they still have it after all that construction they did. we didn't pay anything. as a result, except for the cake and the paper goods and juice.

I would say try a scavenger hunt but for two year olds not sure about that. also for two year olds? they are not necess good at making crafts. why not make the favor be something like a balloon or a ball that is big enough they won't put in their mouth..bet they are on sale right now..and just have that for the children only? if this party is really for older children a ball would still work they still seem to like at older ages.

and get as many things as you can at the dollar store though it's weird I have seen two close around here in the last few months. wonder if they are going to go out of biz overall with rising cost of goods due to gas price up and other issues.

The S. birthday isn't much better than the first they are little bit better about presents but not much it is their 3rd that they really start to enjoy it and want to open more and understand that it is thier birthday. I would stick to a small party again with just family and a few close friends. I am not sure about the Deana Rose Party I think the kids will be way too occupied with everything around them to want to sit and do anything but good luck let us all know how it goes.