https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 16:32:56 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2789140 Wed, 29 Nov 2017 13:43:52 +0000 tysonja 2789140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we have 3 kids and have been doing parties with friends every other year. on the non-bday party year, we do a family day for each kid on their birthday: pancakes with candles for breakfast, they get to pick where we have lunch, and one or two activities around town that they pick (aka 5$ to spend a chuck e cheese, a 3$ ride on the mini train, a favourite park, etc). we will also do a small cake a home. if they are really into their friends that year and it's a non-party year, we might have a few friends over for a playdate and then surprise them all with a cake after lunch. it's working out well so far! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2789096 Wed, 29 Nov 2017 12:02:45 +0000 MaryM 2789096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My brother has 10 kids, and a lot of them have birthdays close together, so it's just not feasible to do a full out party every year. </p> <p>Every birthday, the kid gets to pick what's made for dinner and there's cake with the family (grandparents are invited, but don't make it to all of them). Then there are special milestone years that they can look forward to having a party with friends...like every 4ish years</p> <p>As long as there's some attention paid to them, I don't think most kids recognize if it's just coming from immediate family, or if there are 10 or so other kids there with them. And I think it's made the parties more special for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2789051 Wed, 29 Nov 2017 09:50:30 +0000 snowjewelz 2789051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not totally cheap, but we took DD1 to Disney on Ice recently for her upcoming birthday! We are still doing a party but it's super small with family only. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2789042 Wed, 29 Nov 2017 09:10:01 +0000 Adira 2789042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Growing up, we almost never had birthday parties. But our birthdays were always really special - we got to pick our favorite meal for dinner and my mom would make a chocolate cake. We'd open presents and maybe play a game as the whole family. It was low-key but awesome. We still do the exact same thing as adults, except now I request pie instead of chocolate cake. :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2789041 Wed, 29 Nov 2017 09:09:29 +0000 looch 2789041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Ok, gotcha, I didn't realize he had asked for/wanted a party.</p> <p>My son asked for a party this year, I decided the way I could cope with it was to have it offsite. I have a large enough space in my house, but it's a December birthday and the weather is too unpredictable to consider doing it outside. So, we're doing it at a trampoline park. There are going to be way too many presents, but I've already begun kind of cleaning up the stuff my son has outgrown and will have a good amount of space. I figure it's a season in life and soon we'll be doing a few boys invited anyway, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2789040 Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:31:40 +0000 Mama Bird 2789040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was a kid, my birthday parties were just a nice dinner and cake with the family, and gifts. It felt very special anyway. I had friends over once, but decided it wasn't worth it - it was kind of stressful and there were a couple very embarrassing moments. </p> <p>We do parties only because DS does want to invite other kids - for him it's a chance to catch up with friends from his old day care and pre-K. And like you, cold weather birthday so we can't really do it outside. </p> <p>I'm not a fan of party places either, though some are much better than others - cleaner and not too loud. Maybe next year we'll try to do a small party at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2789037 Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:05:42 +0000 misolee 2789037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene </p> <p>I totally ageee with how you feel about bday parties too. I’m not a fan of even attending other kids bday party at those party places bc it’s so loud, crazy, etc but we go bc my Lo is not like me and a socialite 🤣 Don’t even get me started on hosting...it stresses me out too so I feel ya girl. </p> <p>We do a “party” every other year. Meaning something with friends. Like this year, I took her and some of her five year old friends to an art pottery type place. Off years, we go out to eat as family. I also ask her what she wants to do and we do it if it’s not too crazy. Like last year she wanted ice cream so we did that. This year if I had asked her, she’s been dying to do the build a Bear so we would have done that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2789036 Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:03:51 +0000 hilary 2789036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are doing the same thing this year...no big party. My 5 year old's birthday is tomorrow. So donuts for breakfast and balloons on her chair. Grocery store fried chicken for dinner because it's her favorite food of all time. Then on Saturday my husband is taking her and two friends to a movie and then they'll come play/have pizza/cake at our house with her younger siblings after. She's crazy excited because she's never gone to a movie theater before.</p> <p>Other ideas we considered were indoor put put (there's a glow in the dark one near us), bowling, or roller skating. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2789031 Wed, 29 Nov 2017 02:10:33 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2789031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I think your post was really honest. You don't have to apologize for being honest. Your message was a personal one, not a a public message advocating for or against something, there was no message of criticism on others -- it was about you and your family -- you have no need to apologize for your feelings. Not everyone celebrates a birthday with a party and every parent has their own reasons and that's OK :heart: </p> <p>Having said that, I think I only understood your situation after reading your response. Adults have very different expectations compared to our children. What's special to him might just be something so simple, you overlook it because it's not at all special. </p> <p>- What things (other than a party) would your LO like to do IF he could pick for himself?<br /> - What's something he doesn't get to do often that he absolutely enjoys?</p> <p>As parents, we often get swept up on the idea that something elaborate is an ideal. That more effort = more love. But kids won't acknowledge how long it took us to hand make a napkin holder or how much time it took to find the perfect give-away bags. As our kids get older, they will remember the happy moments. Maybe this year, you can start something special that's meant just for him and you? It will be special *to him*, even if it turns out he just wants to eat ice cream at the local parlor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788996 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 21:09:06 +0000 wrkbrk 2788996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did a non party birthday! Just had a play date breakfast at home with two of his friends and stuck a candle in pancakes - done! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788946 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 17:58:19 +0000 irene 2788946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you sooooo much!! This is super helpful :heart: Sorry to may-have rubbed some of you the wrong way on my feelings for birthday parties, I just get really stressed out by them. I am really afraid of loud kids indoor playgrounds and unfortunately we have a winter birthday. I am a perfectionist + Ultra-introvert. That is just me....</p> <p>@Truth Bombs: the show we watched was actually only $5 or 10 a head, haha :) </p> <p>@@kiddosc: I love movie and pottery!! My friend has always wanted to go to a “dine-in movie” with us but we haven’t tried because it is so expensive. We haven’t tried going to a movie for a while as DS was traumatized by finding Nemo a while back. It’s been a while and definitely could try again. Thank you for the idea! We have tried painting pottery before last year and DS Loved it, his BFF didnt unfortunately but definitely another activity in my mind too! I was going to do a pottery party when he is a few years older.</p> <p>@Mamaof2: I love it!!!!!!</p> <p>@yoursilverlining: sorry to rub you the wrong way :heart: the show we went to was “theatre for the very young” it is designed for 0-5 year olds. That was the first time we went and we went back almost to every new show afterwards. I just want to do something special and I looked this time we already watched the title they will have during DS’s birthday time.</p> <p>And yes for movies! Sometimes I really forgot the obvious as I overthink...</p> <p>And FYI the kids love that restaurant we go to .</p> <p>@Mrs. Champagne: I love The bowling idea! We haven’t tried it and am going to look into it! Even if it is just family and one friend it will be special for us :heart: </p> <p>@gingerbebe: I want a little more special than something we do everyday... he picks the restaurants we go to anyway sometimes. Thanks for the suggestion!</p> <p>@looch: he does but I really don’t want to do it every year... if he doesn’t want one then there will be no dilemma 😂when I was a kid I haven’t even had one birthday party (even though I really want to) so I think it is ok to skip ... again I am sorry if I offend anyone with my thoughts...</p> <p>@josina: @Rocker2014: oh sleepovers. Yes we will do it one day. One of the other things I stress about especially we don’t have a cleaning lady....very self conscious about my house.</p> <p>Thank you and lots of :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788945 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 17:57:09 +0000 SweetiePie 2788945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others that I would just do a special family day. Pick an activity he likes, do a special breakfast like funfetti pancakes, maybe do lunch out at a fun burger place or something, dinner at home with something he’ll like, with a cake, ice cream, balloons and presents. Can end the night with a movie and popcorn and hot chocolate. Just naming all the things my kid loves and thinks is special. Just the 3 of you. I’m SURE he will love it and not even care about a party. </p> <p>I never had a party growing up until my sweet 16. And even that was just a bonfire in my parents’ back yard and pizza. I never missed it or wished I had one. Ever. My mom did a great job of making the day special. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788944 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 17:32:49 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2788944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Low, low key &amp; still festive would be punch, cake and ice cream and balloons tied to the birthday boys chair. Everyone just plays with the toys your son has or the new presents. Basically a giant play date with cake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788939 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 16:40:06 +0000 Rocker2014 2788939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my best friend's daughter's 3rd birthday, she invited LO and I (her LO is 5 days younger than mine) to a children's museum type play space, and a sleepover with her favorite foods, snacks and tv shows. The girls had a blast playing, and they had cupcakes for breakfast in the morning to really play up the "birthday" specialness. She loved it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788938 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 16:25:39 +0000 ShootingStar 2788938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've done a couple different things that were pretty low key. </p> <p>For DS's 2nd birthday we hosted a dinner at our house for some extended family (the grandparents) and our closest couple friends with their 2 kids. We had 9 adults and 3 kids. I ordered catering from Wegman's and all I had to do was pick up the food and heat it up. The grandparents were already going to buy DS gifts, and then we had one additional gift from our friends.</p> <p>For his 3rd birthday we went to a play space and again invited our same friends with their 2 kids and DS's best friend and her mom. I paid for all the entrance fees and when the kids were done playing we sat in their cafe space (which I cleared with the manager) and had cupcakes (supplied by Whole Foods) and juice boxes. Only effort was ordering the cupcakes ahead of time. Oh, and I told everyone not to give gifts.</p> <p>Birthdays don't have to be tons of work/expense/kids. You could also do just a nice dinner for your immediate family, or consider inviting 1 special friend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788929 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:41:47 +0000 looch 2788929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does your son want a party? I can't tell from what you've written. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788920 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:20:30 +0000 avivoca 2788920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Yes, this exactly. I hosted a birthday party for my girls this year. It was legit low-key at my house. No activities. Just letting all the kids play with our toys while the adults chatted. We had cake/cupcakes, pizza, chips. I think I spent probably $100 on food and $77 of it was on six pizzas (I made the cake and cupcakes), the rest being chips, drinks, and the stuff to make dip. It was the best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788918 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:16:41 +0000 josina 2788918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think birthdays can be just as special without the huge parties.<br /> Growing up our only 'big' party was our 10th, and then we got to have 5 friends over, made mini-pizzas at home, and had a pinata and slumber party.<br /> Every other year was picking out a 'birthday dinner', and cake/gifts with parents and grandparents only.</p> <p>For my step-daughter she's gets to have friends over for a slumber party every year, they make homemade pizzas, and watch movies/play games in her room. We've gone out for pizza and a movie (with a friend).<br /> Other ideas - trampoline park, bowling, an indoor pool or water park. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788915 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:00:14 +0000 yoursilverlining 2788915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: My parents still do the "special birthday dinner" for my brother and I. My mom still calls the week before my birthday asking what I want her to make and what kind of cake I want and I'm 36 :silly: honestly though, I LOVE it. Seems so small, but is special :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788909 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:41:07 +0000 gingerbebe 2788909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Yes exactly! Growing up, our birthdays meant we got like 1 present, a certain kind of cake from the local bakery, and a super treat was Chinese food or going to like a Hometown Buffet/Sizzler type situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788905 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:36:08 +0000 yoursilverlining 2788905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there are two things you’ll need to work out: 1) your expectations for kid’s birthday parties and 2) whether your plans for your son’s birthday are more for him, or for you. Honestly, a luncheon with mimosas followed by a show at a theatre (assuming not a kids movie) sounds clearly and definitely more geared towards what the adults in the party would enjoy; rather than what someone &lt;5 would pick or truly enjoy. </p> <p>Re #1 above; kid’s parties are crappy pizza and messy homes and the lot. They just are in real life. That’s totally normal. You can limit toys by requesting people don’t bring any, and by culling your own collection of toys pre and post party if the toys are really out of control. But if your expectations are a lot higher than that and you don’t want to adjust expectations then maybe it is better to do something else.</p> <p>I would try to do something your son is really interested in, but you could limit it to like 1-2 good friends. Picnic at a playground he loves (just grab picnic trays at a grocery store)? Movie with a couple friends? Just go for hot dogs and ice cream with a couple of buddies? </p> <p>Growing up we did have birthday parties at home every year, and they were always lowwwwwww key. What was even more special though was that we always got to pick out what we had for dinner on our birthday and got to pick what cake flavor we wanted. It was just our family, but as kids we rarely got say in what we had for dinner and rarely got cake for dessert so getting to pick was special. </p> <p>I also don't think you have to worry about "going back on your word" about a 6 year old getting a birthday party. It's once a year and he's little. But maybe that just rubs me the wrong way more than it should :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788897 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:29:17 +0000 gingerbebe 2788897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really think you are overthinking it as well. </p> <p>If I were in your shoes, I would do a "yes day" of sorts. Like allow him to pick all 3 of his meals for the day, and maybe allow for one of those meals to be out. Then I would allow him to pick one activity for the day. Whether or not he invites a friend to the meal or activity or both is up to you. I sort of think the every-other-year birthday thing means one year you get a lot of friends and one year its spent with family. So if it were me, I'd make it a family day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788896 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:28:47 +0000 Tanjowen 2788896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have always done dinner (tacos) or a cookout with a cake with family and a close friend. Our kid gets to play, it's low key, and no fuss. This is the first year we are doing an actual party! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788893 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:23:54 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2788893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We booked a bowling alley. Ordered pizza. Fruit tray. Cake from the store. The kids freaking loved it and it was cheap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788892 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:22:31 +0000 Mamaof2 2788892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did this for my DS - him and his best friend - movie, mini golf, lunch, ice cream</p> <p>It was perfect! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788891 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:20:32 +0000 kiddosc 2788891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you're overthinking it. I would have him pick a good friend and do a movie, or zoo trip, or a pottery class, or something else he's interested in. Then I would get a small cake or cupcake and sing and blow out candles on his birthday. He'll be happy with that, you're the one with the high expectations :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788890 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:20:25 +0000 Truth Bombs 2788890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I would guess that on lunch + show tickets for 5 people you paid the same amount of money as you would for a rental for a larger party. So are you trying to avoid cost or stress? We just spent the weekend at a local resort to celebrate my daughter's bday and it was really special and nice family time, but it wasn't cheap. And we're doing a party at home this coming weekend anyway because she would definitely pick a party with her friends over something special with just us :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788886 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:11:09 +0000 Bluebonnet 2788886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We haven't done anything like this, but friends have. Usually its something like bday kid gets to pick 1 friends (or a very small number) and do something special - sporting event, play, Disney on Ice, etc. Or a fun outing - going to the Build a Bear store and lunch, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-birthday-party-activity-ideas#post-2788875 Tue, 28 Nov 2017 13:52:08 +0000 irene 2788875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have done parties both in and out of home before and I always get traumatized by it. I just get so stressed out, wasting a lot of money and effort, feeding everyone crappy pizzas, and end up getting a bunch of toys that we don't want/ need. I agree there should be birthday parties, but I just don't see the value of it, or at least not every year.</p> <p>So I told DS that we'll do a party every other year. He expected that we will skip this year (6 yr old) and we will have one the year after. All goes well until we are almost there and now again I panicked, what would be a small celebration that is special, and 1/10 the budget+effort?</p> <p>One year we have invited DS's BFF (and I am good friends with the mom too). We went to a very nice luncheon, followed by a show at a theatre. It was perfect. It was only the 5 of us, the grown ups drank mimosa, and we all had good food, and a good show. And that was that.</p> <p>I just don't know what could we do this year.... a low-key play date + cake at home? In a sad way I think it would have been easier to just book a place and throw a party there. DH said well you already told DS we are not doing a party this year so in a way I also don't want to go back on my word on it...</p> <p>Have you done a "non-birthday-party" celebration before?<br /> Any wonderful ideas that doesn't require a lot of $$$ and effort :-) ? </p>