We are considering having 1 party for both of our kids. Our daughter will turn 1 year old at the end of November, and our son will turn 4 in December. We have a lot of out of town relatives, and I don't think any of them will be able to make it to 2 parties, plus the kids are so young, I think it would be easier for them to open presents together.
But now I am having a terrible time figuring out the details of this party! We need a location that is not too fancy for a bunch of my son's preschool aged friends, and wouldn't be upset with us for letting the baby smash a cake. If their birthdays were in the summer, we would just do it at a park, but last year my son's party was in the middle of a blizzard! The only place within 30 miles that specializes in kids parties is an arcade, and I think most of the kids coming are too young for that.
I know there are tons of places that would probably rent a space to us, but my brain is fried!!! Any ideas of other type of places I should try that would be kid friendly and age appropriate?
Gear the party toward the 4 year old cause he'll actually know and enjoy what's going on. Your daughter is too young to care and will be for at least 2 more years.
And if the cake is for lots of non-family people, I'd have a birthday cupcake or small cake just for her cause really, family doesn't care about their own kiddo's baby drool and hands in a cake but it might gross out some non family (LOL :)
What about renting out the hall of a fire department or somewhere like that and get someone in to do facepainting on the older children and balloon animals or something like that. Have some game ideas, pizza, cake & just set a reasonable time frame - maybe 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. It's sometimes easier, they provide the table, chairs, locations, you just set up & clean up & I don't think they'd mind your daughter smashing the cake! Have a fun time!
How about planning a kid party out at a place like Chuck E Cheese for your 4 year old then having a family party for both kids at your house? Out of town relatives probably don't want to go to a party at an arcade but would enjoy a house party.
I totally agree with gearing the party for the 4 yo. The 1 yo won't even know it's her bday. Have 2 cakes. One for each kid. I don't know what places are near you and what kind of money you want to spend. Near us, there's Chuckee Cheese, Laser Bounce, BounceU, several gymnastics places and other things like that. Or you could rent a VFW or Knights of Columbus hall and just do the space up yourselves.
Have a joint family party at home. Send cookies or cupcakes to your son's preschool on or around his birthday. Don't worry about having a friends party for the 4y.
My kids are both born in September and I've always combined the parties. We usually have a cook-out so we can be outside; even if we have to be inside because of the weather I don't freak out about it. I'll make two different cakes and I'll announce who's being sung to then we switch and sing to the other one. They both sit in the middle of the room on the floor and take turns opening presents. I'll invite a few friends for each but obviously the family will be the same for both. I don't feel the need to invite the whole class - just a few of their best friends. This has always worked out for us. I would have organized games for the 4-year old; let family play with the 1-year old. Limit the time to two hours; that's just enough time to tolerate other kids before they get cranky and unruly! I would check with your church, library, fire dept., etc. for a small hall to be rented. Usually very cheap! Then on their actual birthday I have just a small celebration with the four of us. Good luck!
our YMCA has fun birthday party options that are friendly for all ages.
why not have it at your house?
or at a church gym? good luck!
