Need Advice: for My Daugther 2Nd Birthday Party

Play Cafe in Reston - I have never been, but they do parties.

http://atplaycafe.com/services

Let us know what you go with - I am usually looking for this for my daughter whose birthday is in early April - it is a great time to be outside, but it usually rains.

S.,
Try a pool party. There are local indoor and outdoor pools that are willing to help you with this activity.
Good luck.
L.

Sorry, I see now the party has came and went...

Try the Family Place to Play in Waldorf. Took my 1 yo daughter there for a party last month and had a great time. The url is http://www.familyplacetoplay.com/

These might not be the best places but the kids will certainly enjoy it.
Mc Donalds with a playland, Bowling alley, chucky cheese etc.
The adults can still sit and talk and it shouldn't be too expensive with only 5 kids.
Beats being outside in the heat.

Hi S., you can try Clemyjontri park in McLean (bring your own stuff), Burke Lake Park in Burke (this one will provide food & drinks and balloons for you), Play Cafe in Reston (www.atplaycafe.com), or Gymboree in your area to see if they can host your bday party (not sure if you have to be a member or not), or MyGym in your area (this one, you don't have to be a member to have a bday party there).
Good luck!!!

- A. -

This is a great website for ideas:

http://www.pepperspollywogs.com/

Well we didn't do the 1st birthady party so we are doing the 2nd one. We are having at a park there are many state parks in md and reginal ones to. I rented a pavillion for 60 bucks but I could have gotten a smaller one for 40 at the regional park. Hope it all works out for you!

You need to think about the things that your daughter enjoys in order to plan a party that she (and the adults) will enjoy. If you have a water park nearby that is child-oriented, that is the perfect location for a bithday party in warm weather. Many gymnastics studios also offer birthday party packages that can be tailored to the age of the child--inside a gym. You usually have to bring in the food yourself.

For a two year old your options are somewhat limited if you don't want to the party at home. In my experience that age group doesn't do restaurants very well. If you choose to go to a restaurant, consider picking an "off" time. Your service will be better, and you won't feel that the active children in your group are disturbing other patrons.

If you have a zoo near your home, they will often set up parties as well. If you are a member of a church--or know someone who is--you might consider renting out the fellowship hall for your party. You can bring food in--or have it catered. Sometimes children's museums, lion's clubs or rotary clubs also offer this option. If your community has a popular ice cream shop, this could make a neat destination as well. Rather than cake, you could celebrate with sundaes.

When my daughter turned 2, we had a big picnic at home. We set up all sorts of water toys for the children and cooked hot dogs and hamburgers. Children and adults enjoyed the day.
Good luck and have fun.

Gymboree is a fantastic place for a two year old party if you want it more for your daughter than the adults. See if you (or a friend) have a neighborhood pool you can use and grill out or have pizza delivered. Good luck.

Chuck-E-Cheese. The kids will be well entertained while the adults sit and talk. Order a few pizza's and driks and you are set. All you have to do is pay. There is no clean up involved. They even have reward charts you can print out and take with you. Just pass them out to the kids as they run out of tokens.

Hope this helps.

The Front Page in Arlington (Ballston) is great. They have a back part of the restuarant that opens to a large airy atrium where the kids can run around in a closed off area and large enough you can set up some games. They have tables back there as well so the adults can eat and watch the chidlren play. I had my shower there so friends can bring their kids and it was great. The staff is wonderful to work with, the food was great and the price was great.

I have three children 12, 9, and 7. As you can imagine I have had to plan a ton of parties. Not to mention I have assisted in planning countless events at church. My daughter is my oldest and had more fun planning her parties. Now your daughter is still pretty young for most of the themes I have done. You may consider a pool party. This in itself can go a number of ways. If you have your own pool that is a no brainer but if not then buy a large blowup pool with the activities attached and bunch of squirt guns. Kids love water. My favorite parties were the princess type parties. dress up as your favorite princess and have a tea party. This of course only works for little girls.I love the house parties but the clean up is a drag. There are local gymnastic centers that are fun also. normally they have an area for the adults and constant play for the kids. Let me know what you go with.

Hi S.,
I don't know where you are but in Symrna, De Xbose is fun. My husband's work held the company "picnic" there. The indoor play park, arcade, and bowling alley worked for any age. There should be something similar not to far away.

You can do a chucky cheese kind of thing. You could also do your party at home again and just purchase some princess plates and decorations (my favorite place is the dollar store or party city) Get a princess cake from your grocery store and wallah! Princess party! put the kids in one kid friendly room and the adults in a room nearby with finger food and the kids can play.

I know this is not what you asked for, but I hope it helps. Happyparty time!
A.

Why don't you have a POTLUCK at a park or something or even at your house. Make a sign....CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF. or better yet. USE PAPER PLATES, CUPS, and SILVERWARE. all trash.

Try Joe's Crab Shack. You can see it from I-64 eastbound, and it's right beside the big Bass Pro Shop and Saddle Ridge. They have a big playground that you can see from the dining room, and they are really good at accomodating large parties. Hope that helps!

Dear S.,
What about a petting farm for an activity? If you are OK with fast food, you could then go to Burger King or McDonald's (they both have indoor playgrounds). You could also go to ChuckECheese.
I wish, however, I had a wholesome food type restaurant to share with you, but I do not! May it all go well!
J. F.

HI S.,
I see a lot of people recommended Chuck E Cheese. Personally I would not do that for a two year old. That place is crazy busy and there are tons of older kids running around. YOu would have to follow your young kids around the party and wouldn't get to sit and talk. I suggest Chick Fil A. My son had his 3 year old party there and it was good--small setting, playground, food the kids like, adults get to relax and chat, and the restaurant will even bring the cow in to entertain if you want, although this age group is usually scared of that kind of thing. Have fun, whatever you choose! --A.

S. -

Not exactly sure where you live, but you could always try an Extreme Bounce place. The whole place just has moon bounces or bounces for children of all ages (including adults). I think they also have a room for pizza and gift opening.

And or the old reliable Chuck E Cheese.

Good Luck.
J.

Hello,

I'm sorry to read your frustration. Children's birthday parties should be fun - for her, the guests and YOU. I'm happy to help you. I'm a professional party planner (www.poshpartiesllc.com) and I work with many moms like you, who are overwhelmed and exhausted by the party planning. For a modest fee, $40 hour, I can help identify a place to host the party; recommend food, drinks and age appropriate activities/entertainment; assemble goodie bags; set up the day of and manage the party so that you can have a great time enjoying your little princess and friends. All of my suggestions are based on your preferences and budget; the party is an absolute reflection of you and your daughter - not me.

I primarily help clients in Northern VA; please let me know if I can help you too. ###-###-#### or ____@____.com wishes,

A. Dorfman, CSEP
posh parties, LLC

Hi S.,

Mac Donald's is a good place to start looking. They have food and a place to play.

Hope this helps. Good luck. D.

I had my daughters in a banquet room at pizza hut there was plenty of room for the adults to sit spread out and mingle without the heat from outside.
they had a smaal play area for the kids and the pizza drinks were set out buffet style it was only like $150 and you could decorate as you wanted. It was well worth it. Hope this helps

I would suggest having something in late afternoon, early evening at a local park. There are some great county parks with shelters and play area for kids, very inexpensive. Plus, you can go to Costco or Sams get a few trays of foods or contact a resturant to see if they have 'to go' menu options and have it catered.

J. Z.
Independent Shaklee Distributor
www.shaklee.net/Z.
Thanks Mamasource Moms, I have given away $ 125.00
and still giving away more...ask me how!

Hi S.,
There are alot of fun things that you can do in Aug. There are local fairs in town, they usually have a family night or half price night,etc. There are a lot of places that have indoor moon bounces. There is a fun center in Fredricksburg that has a ton of games, mini golf, bumper boats, go-carts. Sometimes pools will let you rent them in the evenings. Splash Down water park in Manassas is half price after 4:00.
If you're going to do something outside, think about having it in the late afternoon, evening when its not so hot.
M.

Have you thought about indoor playgrounds like Playwise in Columbia? I haven't been, but keep seeing ads for it and have been wanting to go. Here's the website:

http://www.playwisekids.com

Good luck!