where can I take him that he would just love and enjoy I would like to bring along close family and friends he is going to be two any suggestion ?
At 2, they just want to run around. I would go to the zoo. Has some freedom to run and lots of animals to see.
At 2 years old all he cares about is running around and playing. Go to a park and have an old fashioned picnic. Find one with a playground. He will love it.
I concur, pack up a picnic with fun snacks and cold water and juice and go to his favorite park (they find this comforting) or try a new park that he has never been to. That is what he will enjoy at this age.
Keep it small - he's only 2 and he doesn't really understand what a birthday is! He will understand fun and he will understand a few small gifts. You can get a few photos to remember the event that he can look at in the years to come.
But don't overwhelm or overstimulate him - it just stresses out little kids and makes it a miserable day! A lot of parents go to huge expense to hire a bouncy house and invite 25 people, forgetting that a 2 year old gets bored easily and isn't interested in all that stuff! Don't invite a ton of little kids who don't understand birthdays either and who will want to play with your child's birthday gifts, thereby upsetting your child! Just make it a simple gathering of a few family members or special friends, take some fun photos, get some cupcakes, and call it a day.
You can go to the shore, a lake, a park, or stay home and decorate with a few balloons. Think about his nap time and don't get in the way of that - a cranky child is no fun! Just make it fun and relaxing for you, and your child will be happy, which is what you want.
Why not stay at home and have a nice family party. In a couple of years he'll want to invite his whole class and go do some huge activities. Then the family won't be wanted, just his friends. So enjoy the intimate family things while you can.
Anywhere he can see things and do things. At 2 he doesn't care about special memories. He just wants to run around and check stuff out. Maybe a children's museum, a park, or the beach?
I think he's too young for the Discovery Science Center. He'll get a lot more out of it if you wait a couple of years.
When my kids turned two, we did birthday parties at the park. It was easy and fun. But, if you want to go somewhere, here are a few great ideas:
1. Pretend City in Irvine - such a great place for pretend play, they can be workers at Ralphs, post office, fire and police stations, gas station, farm, construction site, doctor and dentist office, and so much more.
2. Adventure City in Stanton/Anaheim (off the 22 at Beach) - mini theme/amusement park. It is very inexpensive and small. Rides are designed for toddlers and young children, it's never crowded and you never have to wait. Parking is free!
3. Splash in La Mirada. I've never been, so I'm not totally sure what they have for two year olds, but I hear it's a lot of fun, not too big and not too expensive. http://www.splashlamirada.com/
4. Irvine Spectrum - play at the pirate playground, splash in the splash pad, ride the carousel/ferris wheel/train, and have lunch/dessert at any of the restaurants or cafes
5. Irvine Regional Park - ride the train, ride the ponies, visit the Orange County Zoo (only $2 per person and I think under three is still free), rent bikes/surreys, have a picnic & play at any of the playgrounds
I googled Santa Ana and children parks. This one looks interesting.
Discovery Science Center
2500 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Get Directions
Phone number ###-###-####
It is true that at age 2 he will not care if it is Disneyland or a free public park with something cool to play. I didn't notice a small water park in your area. I am thinking of water squirting and filling buckets not pools and slides. Some hot cities have them.
I didn't have a 2 year party for either of my kids. I figured that would be my 'free' year.
