https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:45:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1775352 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 07:44:57 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1775352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we had one for charlie's first birthday and it was so easy. they provided everything including the food. we just showed up! we've also been to a ton of gym parties and the kids always have fun.</p> <p>if you want no stress, it's great. guests always know what to expect too because they're usually all pretty much the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1775349 Wed, 23 Jul 2014 07:41:17 +0000 Mamaof2 1775349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have been to lots of parties at bounce houses and the YMCA - they are all the same.<br /> 2 hours</p> <p>You get there and have free play for 1 hour and then its pizza, cake, leave.</p> <p>Gifts are never opened </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774859 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 18:52:13 +0000 Applesandbananas 1774859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was $200 for this in our area and I plan to go this route every year! We just brought the cake, a few dry snacks, and LO! No set up, no clean up, no worries! We loved it and so did the kids! Our adult guests seemed to have fun interacting with the kids too :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774743 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 17:32:08 +0000 hilsy85 1774743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are probably doing something like this for LO's 2nd birthday. It's about $500, and they pretty much do everything--all set up, wrangle the kids for 1.5 hours, have an open gym space for them to run around...I think it's the perfect party, TBH! No set up or clean up for us, and the kids love running around the gym </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774705 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:54:21 +0000 autumnlove 1774705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mauxie: We had a home party for LO 2's first and food was our biggest expense. The bounce house, table and chair rental wasn't that bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774697 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:50:26 +0000 sunny 1774697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always find that the parties seem really short to me because many people arrive a bit late due to nap schedules, etc. I do think they are easier on the host family though because they will help setup and cleanup and you don't need to bring too much other than food! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774696 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:49:52 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1774696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mauxie: the kids are all right, it's more so the set up at some of these places. The staff runs them like party mills, there isn't any flexibility in the party time because right before you arrive and right when your scheduled party ends another bday girl or boy will arrive. Depending on the space you may be right next to another group, which can be loud and over stimulating. </p> <p>I hear you on the bounce house and what not. Every Saturday the pavilion at the park across our development is loaded up with streamers or bunting or balloons and sometimes all three! The grass is covered with the most fantastic bounce houses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774687 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:43:27 +0000 mauxie 1774687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Thanks for the feedback! Stressful as in dealing with toddler craziness? We're also considering a party at the park or our clubhouse but then I'd feel obligated to have a better menu, more elaborate decorations, rent a bounce house, etc.. </p> <p>I need to stop looking at these amaaaaazing Pinterest parties :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774673 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:36:40 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1774673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kids have a blast at those places, but as a guest and little helper for friends I find them super stressful. At age 2, a day at the park would be entertaining. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774617 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 16:15:55 +0000 dolphin 1774617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been a guest at birthday parties at Gymboree and other kiddie places and everyone had a good time. By the end of the party the kids were so tired and ready for a nap and most parents wouldn't want to stay at a kid's party for much longer than 2 hours anyway. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774535 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 15:26:03 +0000 autumnlove 1774535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mauxie: Party started at 10:30 and the appetizers were out right away. Pizza arrived at 10:50 and the helpers gathered people for cake at 11:40. </p> <p>We didn't open any gifts there because the party was so short and it was strongly discouraged by the My Gym staff! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774492 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 15:07:53 +0000 mauxie 1774492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: Do they just do cake at the end and the kids sort of wind down? I would feel so weird if the time ran out and the party ended abruptly. Did you do gifts at all? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774484 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 15:05:10 +0000 mauxie 1774484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: It's basically a 2 hour private party for up to 20 kids. They provide 2 staff members, set up decorations/balloons, and help with cake cutting.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774470 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:58:50 +0000 regberadaisy 1774470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mauxie: is $400 the fee??? What's included? :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774468 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:58:18 +0000 Smurfette 1774468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think kids love them! As a parent I think it is great too. Kids can run around and have fun and be exhausted by bedtime! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774466 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:57:30 +0000 autumnlove 1774466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO 1's second birthday party was at MyGym and it was only 1.5 hours. It was more than enough time for pizza (and chips, veggies, fruit and cake) and fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-gym-birthday-parties#post-1774431 Tue, 22 Jul 2014 14:35:22 +0000 mauxie 1774431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm starting to think of birthday party ideas for my soon to be 2 year old.</p> <p>What are your thoughts on play gym (My Gym, Gymboree, Little Gym, etc) birthday parties, as an attendee and/or host?? Is the convenience worth the cost? (roughly $400 + food in my area). Two hours seems rather short to me!</p> <p>My LO went to one with DH recently but he got there a bit late and pretty much just chased her around the entire time.. No time to mingle or really eat. </p> <p>I know the kids will have fun but I want my adult guests to have a good time! :) Are finger foods + cake really enough? </p> <p>Thanks!! :) </p>