Daughters 1St Bday Party in 3 weeks....HELP.. Me Choose a Location in Sacramento

Hi S., my grandson just had his birthday at Chuck e Cheese and loved it there is one of Greenback and Sunrise just behind Red Lobster and i think it is Pier 1 any way they do cater to the younger children and there is lots for them to do have fun A. C

Yumm!!!! Leatherby's! Actually, both are pretty good choices but I will add another common children's birthday party place: CHUCK E. CHEESE!!! We actually just had my 4-year-old's party there and she had a blast and so did the little ones at the party! I have only been to the one in Roseville, off Hwy 65/ Stanford Ranch exit and it has a great little toddler play are as well as the usual Skee-Ball and other games. They were pretty reasonable and can accomodate pretty large groups. We had about 18 children and 20 adults. If you sign-up on-line for their e-mail deals, they send you e-coupons that you can use for the party. And we literally did not have to do a thing. They have an attendant do the passing out of food, opening presents, even writing down who brought which present for thank-you's. It was a really great experience and I think when all was said and done, we spent about $150 on the whole party.....and your own house is still clean after the party!!!! :) Good Luck and Happy Birthday to your little one!

Leatherby's is usually packed and would not hold 50 people, probably not even 20, but call them to find out. Going to the source usually will alleviate you having to think and overthink things too much. Our family which is usually about 18 people meets regularly at Spaghetti Factory out on Hazel for family gatherings, we usually have to wait a little while for them to pull together that many tables but it always works and while you're waiting, there is all that space out in the hallway for people to mill about and chat, catch up on what's been happening. We've had about half big people and half tiny ones for many years and now all the tiny ones are big too and they're bringing their girlfriends and boyfriends. It still works. The little ones get to run around in the hallway and play while everyone else talks. We never make reservations. Just show up and it works.

Have a wonderful event, it will happen by itself whether you stress over it or not. So why bother stressing?
Love, L.
Teacher of New Consciousness

Hi S.,
How about a local park. Most have covered areas and this is a beautifulk time of the year. We did Folsom park/Zoo for my oldest sons 1st birthday. THe park was free and minimal fee for the Zoo. Instead of gifts we asked people to make donations to the Zoo.

For my youngest son we had his party at a local park in folsom that has a water feature. All the adults and kids had a great time playing in the water and we brought in the food and water toys for water play.

Winco foods makes a great fried chicken that you can buy in bulk. I looked into Johns and as much as we like to go there for an evening it just didn't seem good for a yound childs party.

Have fun.
L.

For a 1 year old b-day, John's Pizza would be too much. If you want pizza, why not Chuck E Cheese...not the best food, but more for your childs age. The Roseville CEC is newer and clean, we were just there for my sons 3 year old b-day. And you don't have to reserve a party thru CEC to use their party room. Why not a park? In Roseville we have 2 public water parks, no pools, just water spraying our of things and kids love it!

We did my son's first b-day party at a local park and we had a blast. The kids could play on the playground and just run around. If you want to go to Fairytale Town, look into getting a spot at Land Park right behind Fairytale Town and you can have people in the park and FT is also an option for people too. And the zoo is right across the street as well. Good luck.

Save Johns/Fairtale Town for the 4 or 5th birthday. Have it at a local park if you are up to it. The weather should be nice and you could have a blow up pool for her and her wee guests to splash in.... It will be a day that you remember not her....just keep that in mind...but that doesnt mean it has to be a throw away birthday either.... I think Leatherby's is a great festive birthday place...easy and ice cream ....great idea!

How about at a park nearby your house in case you need anything you may forget? We just had my son's birthday at a park and it was great because it's entertaining for kids of all ages.

for a 3 year old..I think Johns would be sensory overload...and if you have lots of people coming down it'snot the best place to have a conversation....Fairytale Town might be good...if you choose this place, you need to call now to see if you can get castle reserved or other areas etc.....the zoo might be another good place..they have a little kids play area too.

One place that my soon to be 3 year old loves is Bounceopolis in Folsom..they have party rooms and have age appropriate playstructures for all ages.

Hope that helps!

OK, not that I a disagree at all with the great advice you are getting about local parks and locations...but the 1st b-day is really a celebration about you and hubby for a successful first year-baby won't remember a thing. But if there are 50 people in Chico, and just you guys here-why not ask the friends/fam up there to set up a bbq/potluck in one of the nice parks up in Chico-and you guys travel to them, and just arrive at the party they set up-and be the guests of honor-rather than the ones doing all the work. Just a thought!

I was recently at the Straw Hat Pizza on Del Paso (natomas) and rented their 'banquet' room. It seats at least 50 and is completely closed off. There are 2 Tv's in the room and an arcade located outside the private room. Everyone who was with us that night commented how it would be the perfect place to have a gathering. You don't have to worry about making too much noise since it's completely closed off- and because there is a door kids can't just wander off.

fairytaletown would be #1 on my list 4 several reasons ...1st of which is that it is outside,so if weather permits go there ,being outside w/4 or more children just makes sense as the decibel level is greatly reduced 4 parents w/ tired eardrums. #2 is that parents can let the kids play in the park freely after rides are done.what could b better than that? ive found in my 20+ years of parenting /teaching outside in parklike settings make for the most relaxed & enjoyable time on all counts
the 2nd choice (in case of rain,tho unlikely) would b johns incredible ....tho ive not been there mself my clients say their kids LOVE this spot xo s freyja

Hey, my boy is turning 1 on the 20th!!!

My 4 yr old is turning 5 on the 17th, too. We're combining their parties at safetyville.

For a 1 yr old, keep it simple ~ a park? backyard? Maybe you should rent one of those jumping houses? There is a really fun one that is a water slide.

Hi S.,
Stop Stressing and you are a Super Great Mom because you care so much. Why not just do a picnic in Land Park. If most of your guests will be adult family members, they will want to visit and not be entertained. Incredible Johns is a great place only if there are young children and it is pricey. My girls softball team had their party there and it was alot of money. Check with the Sacramento Parks and Rec and see if you need to reserve an area. Also, both Raley's and Safeway used to provide one layer cakes free for a baby's 1st birthday - take what you can get! For food - order party trays and enlist family members to bring salads - store bought or homemade, and thank them for all they do. You daughter won't remember this birthday, but you and your family will. Take lots of videos to share with her later!
Hope all goes well,
Patti b
ps - my only child, Katie, graduated 8th grade today with honors and I went through the same feelings you are having almost 13 years ago!

Please keep in mind that your child will likely be overwhelmed by so many people that you don't want to add the additional stimulation of a noisy place with lots of activities. I agree that a park is good. This is a perfect time of year, it's cheap, and there's lots of space so that people can do a variety of things. Save the "kid party" places for when she gets older. A rule of thumb that I've always heard is that you should have the same number of kids at a party as the kid's age. Of course, when you're talking about relatives, that's different, but don't go overboard on a "kids party" - she won't remember it anyway.
Have fun, and relax!