https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:10:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2493922 Mon, 14 Mar 2016 07:43:43 +0000 cat620 2493922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms.Badger: I went to a birthday party this past weekend, and the guest list was about the same size as mine would be. Their house is a little larger, but their backyard is much larger, so it didn't feel too cramped. After being at that party, I'm certain there's no way I could have that many people in my house. My backyard is probably the size of my living room, so definitely not much space for a bunch of kids to run around.</p> <p>@brownepiano: I'm considering this. It might make sense to do a friends party and a separate family party, since the two groups don't know each other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489305 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:49:27 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2489305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like the guest list to our parties. This will probably be the only age this works for. After that the kids are bigger and need more activities so going out is better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489277 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 20:11:06 +0000 brownepiano 2489277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you do it more like an open house? Or a couple smaller parties? I'd do it at home because spending a ton on my one year old is not something I want to do. But that does sound like a lot of people for inside even with an average sized house! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489247 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:16:47 +0000 Ms.Badger 2489247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>8-12 3 year olds plus adults plus a few babies in my smallish house gives me nightmares. I would rent a pavilion in a park in a heartbeat, bring some outdoor toys and food. If i really thought my friends/family would be disappointed with no alcohol, I'd maybe do morning-ish with coffee and brunch. </p> <p>I had 6 babies and 3 2-3 year olds in my house and was overwhelmed </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489240 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 19:10:27 +0000 PawPrints 2489240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Around here, it is pretty common for people in general to do parties at parks and sneakily drink alcohol (i.e. solo cups). Out of your options, that is what I'd prefer. But given your limitations, definitely do it at home. It will be fun! Even if it is kind of cramped, kid parties don't last terribly long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489105 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:53:07 +0000 Mrs. D 2489105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't be too fancy for the first birthday, you will set yourself up for expectation in future parties. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489084 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:38:37 +0000 cat620 2489084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@merriment: How are you going to make sure there's enough space for everyone inside? I thought about borrowing some foldable chairs for additional seating and rearranging the living room furniture to make it more spacious. Even then, it seems like it will be very cramped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489071 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:31:32 +0000 merriment 2489071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have the same dilemma (right down to the small house/small yard)! I decided LO2s party will be at home. Bubbles, sidewalk chalk and a sandbox will have to suffice for the older siblings. If it's warm enough I'll set out a water table. My fingers will be crossed from now until June that we have good weather... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489069 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:30:54 +0000 cat620 2489069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Eko: All of the parks around here are owned by the county, and they all have a no alcohol rule. If I could find a private park, they might have different rules, but I don't know of any </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489063 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:30:07 +0000 cat620 2489063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I totally agree. Our party will probably have between 8-12 three-year-olds, so since they make up a good portion of the guest count, I want to make sure they have fun too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489043 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:18:13 +0000 Eko 2489043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have a park that allows for alcoholic beverages? We definitely have parks with covered picnic areas that some allow alcohol and others say they don't, but as long as you aren't rowdy they don't care. Is something like that available?</p> <p>If not, then I say option one. Definitely not Gymboree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2489039 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 16:13:36 +0000 daniellemybelle 2489039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 1st birthday parties are more for adults. They won't remember so as long as you have cute pictures I think it's okay to not worry too much about being fun for your LO. Especially with such a big group, I definitely would not do Gymboree - and I would skip the park so you can have beer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2488999 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:47:44 +0000 cat620 2488999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz: We have a water table and a small slide. There is a stone patio, so I could put out some chalk for the kids to draw on it with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2488990 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:43:52 +0000 snowjewelz 2488990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd pick 1! We had a house party for DD too. We had a winter birthday so it was even harder! I had the kids decorate their own favor bags as an activity. Do you have any outdoor toys? If not, maybe just do a simple treasure hunt, or put out a sprinkler if it's hot (make sure to tell parents beforehand)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2488986 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:40:30 +0000 lilyann 2488986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always do house parties for the first year...they can get chaotic but people tend to come and go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2488980 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:38:29 +0000 looch 2488980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You could do some activities outside for the kids, it doesn't have to be fancy or elaborate, but you could set up some water play, or an obstacle course using pool noodles, hula hoops, rope, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2488961 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:28:18 +0000 cat620 2488961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: I would have to get creative with the space, because I've never had more than 10 people in my house at a time. If the weather is nice, some people can sit outside, but if it's not, it will be very cramped inside, especially if a bunch of three-year-olds are running around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2488955 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:24:10 +0000 Mamaof2 2488955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>option 1<br /> At that age kids don't care what they are doing - plus some people can be inside, some can be out, and you know alcoholic beverages :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-party-would-be-better#post-2488943 Wed, 09 Mar 2016 15:16:25 +0000 cat620 2488943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is turning 1 over the summer, and I'm trying to figure out what to do for his party. He has an older brother who will be 3, so a lot of the guests will be friends of mine who have kids the same age as my oldest son. There will be a few babies, but mostly three-year-olds as far as the children go. I also want to invite family and a couple childless friends. I think there will be between 30-40 people in attendance. </p> <p>Option 1 - Party at my house. My house isn't very big, and I have a small backyard, so I am concerned about having enough space for everyone. I could decorate the way I want, and since it's my home, we could have beer for the adults. This would be casual without organized activities and probably most fun for the adults. I'm not sure what the kids would do beyond playing with the toys in the playroom.</p> <p>Option 2 - Rent a pavilion at a park with a playground. This would be fun for the kids to run around and play, although maybe not provide as much to do for the babies. I could also see some of the adults being bored. I would have to bring my own food and decorations, and I would worry about the possibility of rain. Beer and alcohol aren't allowed at the park. </p> <p>Option 3 - Gymboree party or something similar - For those who aren't familiar, Gymboree is a place designed for kids under 5 and is like an indoor playground with soft surfaces and teacher-led activities. This would be most fun for the one-year-old and the other kids would like it too. The adults would probably like this least. There is also a 90 minute time limit, so it would have to be a short party. I'm not sure if I would even invite the extended family and childless friends to this party, since it really doesn't offer them anything. It's not conducive to adult conversation, since the teacher is constantly instructing the kids and it gets loud and chaotic inside. </p> <p>Which would you choose? </p>