Tell me about the BEST kids birthday party (or any seasonal party really) you have been to.
By best I do not mean the most expensive/extravagant (although that would be fun to hear about too!). Just in general, the party you think it worked the best, everyone (kids and adults) had the most fun, and you wish you had threw that party for your child.
Oh, and if you went to one of the worst parties please feel free to share your experience too! 
nectarine / 2964 posts
For me, I think the best I've been to was hosted at the "club house" at a luxury apartment complex. It was so simple and down to earth, yet it was a lot of fun. There was no head count limit, so everyone was invited. Warm hor d'oeuvres were served while kids were running around. They have a kitchen area which made it easy too. The host hired two princess impersonators/ balloon artists/ story tellers for the first hour, and the kids had fun while adults chat. After the impersonators left, they took out a pinata and the kids took turns hitting on it. Then cake time there was a very elegant Elsa cake and matching mini cupcakes. The whole thing flowed so well and didn't feel very expensive, and I actually had fun chatting with other parents instead of getting the "when can I leave" feeling. I wish I could throw a party like that but I don't have access to a club house at a luxury apartment complex...! And I do not have the guts to do it in my house.
The most outrageous one was one we drove by, where the host transformed their front lawn as a petting zoo with ponies and all. The ponies were eating the beautifully manicured lawn it was hilarious.
The worst one was probably the one I co-hosted with a friend for both of our kids' 3 year old birthday. It was in a children's museum which was very expensive. It had a strict headcount, so it was very stressful trying to beg people to RSVP. Then, the kids didn't even like it! After an hour of play, they asked the kids to come to the party room, but apparently no one understood and the parents had to drag their kids in and everyone was crying or they ran back outside to play. I also almost stopped talking to my friend because there were so many disagreement.
hostess / papaya / 10219 posts
Those sound so extravagant. I generally enjoy kids' parties as my son has fun and I get to socialize with other parents. The only one I didn't like was one that had petty zoo animals. I love animals but I was stressed the whole time because the kids were being rough with bunnies and chicks and no one was monitoring well so I was trying to stop all these preschoolers from killing little bunnies the whole time. Ugh.
pomelo / 5258 posts
The best party I went to was hosted at the birthday girl's preschool. I gather they rent it out for parties on the weekend to enrollees. There was a legitimately funny entertainer but mainly the kids just played.
My least favorite parties are those that happen in backyards with unfenced pools. I'm so scared of someone toddling in while cake is being cut or gifts opened. I can't relax at all.
nectarine / 2784 posts
I haven't really been to too many as an adult. As a child I had a friend growing up who's dad would set up a scavenger hunt in their backyard every year and I remember that being so much fun.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
The best one we have been to was a private party at the local kids splash pool. It included lifeguards and the water is only ankle to thigh deep so with a jacket the kids were free to play. They set up a table of food and had all the lounge chairs open. Simple relaxed (adults could talk while kids played) and in the summer everyone stayed cool!
pomelo / 5326 posts
We have really only been to one birthday party but it was really awesome. It was at a Little Gym which is a place where kids do gymnastics and such in our city. The parents rented it out and there were organized sports and games and tumbling for the kids for an hour. They all got to try out trampolines and balance beams and lots of fun stuff. The parents stood around and mingled and watched the kids behind a big glass wall. Then there was pizza and veggies and fruit and cake for everyone. It wasn't extravagant but super fun for the kids and we got to hang out with the other parents and have dinner with them. It was fun for all.
eggplant / 11716 posts
I haven't been to any bad birthday parties. I've been to some hot parties, where the AC wasn't working or on high enough, and I think it's hard to have fun while dripping sweat.
squash / 13208 posts
Bowling - kids and adults have a blast and there is no "work"
You bowl, eat and leave
grapefruit / 4988 posts
We went to one where it was basically just this huge warehouse style place filled with enormous bouncehouses. They were big enough for even adults to play on. The party had kids from age 1 to age 5 or 6, and they were all entertained and exhausted by the end. They provided pizza and snacks after the bouncing and then everyone left and got great naps. 
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
@T.H.O.U.: We did that for DS's birthday this year! Super low key and everyone had a good time, adults included!
blogger / grapefruit / 4836 posts
@delight: This is what we are doing this year for our 2/4 bday for both kiddos I am so excited!
For me, bday parties at home have been so so stressful, mostly because my kids bdays are winter and we are all crammed into our tiny house. I equally hate birthday parties at other people's tiny houses...there just isn't enough room and the kids run everywhere and you have to try to follow your kid (who can squeeze through the crowd) so you end up bumping into people who are trying to eat/drink standing up because there is nowhere to eat/sit.
I told DH there will be no more home bday parties until the kids are old enough to get dropped off. Even if you only invite 5 kids, thats potentially 20+ people if whole families come 
eggplant / 11824 posts
We haven’t been to any bad parties, but at the last one we went to, the mom “hired” a couple of teenage girl cousins to run a temporary tattoo and face painting table. It was a HUGE hit with the little kids and easy enough to pull together.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
@Mamaof2: I think bowling is a great party too cause the parents can drink
clementine / 806 posts
A local mom with an older kid said their best party was at the car wash. For her son's 4th birthday, they had the party in a back room at the car wash (for free!). It had a big window that looked onto the washing area - the kids absolutely loved it - they could watch the cars go by and get cleaned, and the parents all got their cars washed for free. I think it sounds so awesome and hope that DS will want something like that when he is older.
coconut / 8234 posts
the ones where there's wine and some activity to preoccupy LO so I can gab with adults.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
@MrsLonghorn: very cool! I have also heard of people going to the park and then a trip to the fire station.
pomegranate / 3779 posts
@MrsLonghorn: my BF's son requested a car wash party last year, but she couldn't find a place that would do it. She ended up building a "car wash" for the back yard and had all the kids bring a ride-on toy to take through it.
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