https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:32:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1331158 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:16:24 +0000 Anagram 1331158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I've had a *lot* of friends do super laid back birthday parties for small kids (you are right, I promise they aren't going to remember their 2 year old B day party). Like....a sheet cake from a grocery store, finger foods, and maybe 5 LO friends and their parents. A couple of hours of eating cake and ice cream, opening presents, and the kids toddling aruond and playing. No big deal. Maybe make little treat bags for the kids to take home.</p> <p>You don't have to spend a lot of money, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1331144 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:10:08 +0000 BananaPancakes 1331144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was just thinking about this today because my son turns 2 in April, but I agree that you shouldn't throw one if you don't really want to. I'm just going to rent a gazebo at a local park, I think, because I don't really feel like doing it at my house this year and it won't cost much at all. Plus my son and our friends' kids are always up for the playground. I'm taking it easy on myself until he's old enough to care and understand. You shouldn't worry about what others are doing. It's not the end of the world. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1331116 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:02:25 +0000 pinkcupcake 1331116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I wouldn't stress yourself about throwing a party if you don't want to! Who cares what others are doing :) I don't plan on having a birthday party for LO this year (she's turning 2). She's too young to ask for one and I don't really feel like planning anything. Maybe next year when she's older and actually asks? </p> <p>But most kiddie parties I've been to do have some sort of entertainment for the kids. EX: clown (although I'm terrified of clowns and will never, ever have one at my LO's parties!), face-painting, bouncy house, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1331106 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 12:58:58 +0000 irene 1331106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Yikes. I better not throw one then, or I'll have husband dress as a clown. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330783 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:20:16 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1330783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Play! Explore new surroundings. More play. I agree with @Mrs. Bee: if you don't want to host a party then don't. </p> <p>The kiddie parties I have attended usually have enterntainment. Bounce house. Sing along. For an indoor party a puppet show, story teller, or guitarist may hold the LOs' attention for a half hour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330748 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:11:08 +0000 Smurfette 1330748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Could you get some big boxes and cut up to make a train in the backyard? Kids would love that and they can run around and play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330715 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:01:37 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1330715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: then don't throw one. why stress yourself out? we only threw one for charlie at a gymboree type place for his first birthday. but we haven't thrown a party for either kid since. they don't know any better and don't feel like they're missing out.</p> <p>maybe charlie will ask for one this year when he's turning 5, but so far he's always been pretty laid back about birthdays maybe because we don't make a big deal out of them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330683 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:54:47 +0000 irene 1330683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the advice!</p> <p>@Smurfette: He's into buses, choo-choo trains, trucks. </p> <p>@Mrs. Bee: To be honest, I didn't quite want to throw a party at this age! I don't think they'll know what's going on except there is a bunch of people coming to the house. But some friends are asking. And other friends with same age LOs are going to be throwing parties. Peer pressure...... I asked DH and he said well, we should remodel our kitchen and deck first before throwing a party (so it is presentable). lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330546 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:28:47 +0000 brownie 1330546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did a bounce house and piñata and food and just let the kids run wild. Logan loves his bounce house (we bought a toddler one because it was $50 more than the rental and we got to keep it). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330427 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:03:12 +0000 808love 1330427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: for our one year party, there was multi age appeal. We borrowed some carnival toss games and my husband did the book reading was free. A school librarian loaned us a big book with a little toy Caterpillar that weaved in and out of the holes. I am sure you can guess the theme. Everyone was able to see and hear. You can do indoor bubbles on a mat with music. Some cost friendly and indoor idea adjustments since I didn't read your first post accurately! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330366 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:48:15 +0000 mediagirl 1330366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't have any structure at my friend's two year old's party. The kids just ran around and played with whatever toys were around. They didn't care and we adults stood around and drank wine and beer and ate appetizers. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330340 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:40:24 +0000 autumnlove 1330340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Indoor gym party for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330319 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:33:18 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1330319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>indoor gyms can be really pricey.</p> <p>honestly at that age the kids are happy just to play with toys. you could have a couple of different stations like a simple craft area, a play doh area, and put out a bunch of toys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330226 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:11:48 +0000 blackbird 1330226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friend suggested having games around. Soccer nets and balls, little basketball hoops, etc (plus it's stuff your kid will likely use, too) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330180 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:55:19 +0000 Smurfette 1330180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with Looch, pick a theme and plan activities around it. You don't have to rent/hire someone. It doesn't need to be big either. </p> <p>What is LO into? Then we can help with activities to do. And ones that are affordable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330173 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:52:43 +0000 looch 1330173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Activities? You can pick a theme and do an activity around that. Check out Oriental Trading. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330131 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:30:07 +0000 irene 1330131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: Yikes. So I do have to spend a lot of $$. lol<br /> But I like the Gymboree idea.... too bad that LO's birthday is in winter, or I'd love to be at a park! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330120 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:23:45 +0000 808love 1330120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a kid focused Gymboree party at two. A coach leads them through the gym activities. It was the only thing I could think of that kept that age group entertained and I was set on having it for 1-4 year old range.<br /> Eta: just read your post again and if it was at home, you could have a story reading, we did this out in a big backyard tent for 1 yr old party. You could hire a clown to do a show. Bubbles are a huge hit so don't forget the bubble machine. Put on some music and make it a game. If you want to invest, you could buy a parachute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-you-supposed-to-do-at-birthday-parties-2-year-old#post-1330076 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:02:46 +0000 irene 1330076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have never really attended a child's birthday party before (except when I was a kid but it was different back then). What are you supposed to do at birthday parties?</p> <p>When LO turned one a few of my friends (with same age babies, we had the same due date so our kids are a few days apart) hosted a join party, basically just a get-together and we exchanged gifts. I didn't go to their individual parties and I didn't specifically throw a party for LO.</p> <p>2nd birthday is coming (end of January, YIKES!), and I am toying with the idea of doing a party. I am not crazy about renting a venue because he's still young! It is also quite cold to be outside also. So if we were to do a party at home, what do people do for toddler birthday parties??</p> <p>Any suggestions for activities that you have seen / done and loved? Ideas needed :) </p>