[busterleroy]

Hi Everyone -

Katie will soon turn three ( I can't believe she will be a BIG GIRL so soon!) and I am trying to think of a fun birthday party idea. There will likely still be snow on the ground, so outside is not an option.

We had Joey's party at our house in the fall, think I have PTSD from that and I really would prefer to do something outside our home.

We have no bouncy type places here, just a Little Gym, some YMCAs, and a Chuck E Cheese.

I am not looking for a big production, just a few of her little friends and something outside our house. I am struggling with age-appropriate, fun but not extravagant party ideas.

There is a little children's hair salon where they do parties for little girls hair and 'make-up'. Or a budget theater where you can rent the facility, bring in a DVD and order pizza.

I heard you can make arrangements with Pizza Hut to let the kids build their own pan pizzas, that might be an option.

Any ideas? Other than moving to a warmer part of the country...or changing her birthday to July.

[Disneycrazed]

I don't know about your area but here are a few things that are around hee that I guess you could check on in your area.

the Zoo- here they do the party inside (much of the zoo is also inside)

We have a children's Museum that does birthday parties .

We have a place here that does make your own cupcakes/ baking etc.... they do parties

Decorate your own pottery

There is also a place that does little girl Tea Parties and there are different variations i guess you can pick from.

My friend had these two girls come in (they were young and they were not very expensive) and they ran the party for her at her house. She has done a clown party with them where they did balloon animals, games and dances and then did a craft with the kids. It was nice to have it in her own house but the adults didn't have to do much but sit back and watch the fun. She also did a Princess party with them and they brought party dresses etc... for the kids to dress up in and also did crafts and dances.

I would google things in your area to do and see what comes up. We live in the syracuse NY area and even here there seems to be quite a few different fun little things to do but I guess you would really have to look for them since you don't really see much about it.



I hope this helps a little bit. Our daughter will be 3 in July so we have to start getting a little more creative also.

By the way i like the make your own pizza idea.. sounds fun

[052001]

My daughter recently went to a yoga b-day party. It was really cute and the girls had fun.

We've had parties at the local horse stables with pony rides, gymnastic parties, Build-A-Bear, and pottery making. Our local shelter also offers parties.

[SaraAvaandLileesMama]

Lilee will be 3 in April and is having a Chuck E Cheese party. My other 4 children all had there 3rd B/D party at Chuck E Cheese. The reason I do like these parties is because they do it all cake, food, gift bags if you choose all you do is show up with the money. They are the most reasonable place around to have a party. Sara Ava is having a bounce party at Sports Connection Sat. It does not come with a cake or food and it is rather expensive. Next year I am doing a tea party for the girls.

[Slatond10]

DD's 4th b-day party was @ the gymnastics studio and it was a huge hit w/ the attendee's. We have been invited to a b-day party @ the Volunteer Fire Dept. ( this would be good 4 girls and boys!)

There is also an Icecream Shop downtown that does b-day parties.

Some other indoor locations we've been to 3 and 4 y.o. b-day parties:

• Skating Rink
• Bowling Alley ( they put up rails)
• Zoo ( this was mostly outdoors though)
• Church gymnasium ( great party but probably lots of $ w/ their own inflatibles.)

Good luck

[w8ting4Thomas]

My sister always throws the BIGGEST extraganzas for her kids. Three for her daughter was the kids coming to her house, they rented a large bouncy thing (she said it was not that exp), had pizza delivered and they rented an Elmo costume and a friend played Elmo. Some character is always showing up at her parties and the kids love it. If you can do the costume thing and get a friend to do it, it is inexpensive!

I don't want to highjack the thread, but what age do you start having parties. I have just been wondering should I give Thomas a PARTY for 2 or just do family???

[mildredjohn]

Move everyone to Curacao and we'll celebrate Katie's brithday here at home!!!LOL..in my wildest dream!!!

My idea for my niece:

The YMCA should have a room with small tables and chairs for kids. Hire someone to tell a story, a game and then end the activity with an artwork that they can take home. I went to one, it was in a room in a church. They sat the kids in the floor, talk about an artist and then in the tables they gave them like flat boxes with edges of course. Inside they put a white paper, and in different bowls paint of different colors and different sizes of small balls (pebbles). The idea is to put the ball in the bowl of paint, with a spoon transfer the ball to the box and start moving the ball from left to right up and down. They can do this with different colors until the whole paper is covered. Once is done the person pick up every box with the paper and let them dry and after that is frame it with plastic frames that you could find in an art store.
While the artwork is drying and framing - You could do pizza and juices, sing the birthday song, cut the cake, eat it and we are almost done. By then it's been like two good hours so it's time to go!

[robandjulie]

DD went to a party for a friend at the bowling alley. It was SOO much fun. They set up 3 lanes for the kids so only 3 kids were on each lane (less waiting time between turns) and they had the bumpers up to avoid gutter balls. They also had this metal thing that looked kind of like a walker but with a rolling slope off the front. You set it on the lane and set hte ball on the top and the kid just pushed the ball down teh ramp.

They served pizza & hot dogs & lemonade to the kids and bought a big pizza and sodas for the grownups. The family brought in a big cake for the kids and little bags with bubbles and more bowling tickets.

At the party the birthday boy was turning 4 but kids ranged from 2.5 to 6 years old. We've since gone back bowling as a family with both kids (at the time 20 mos and 3.5) and both had a blast.

[Guatemom]

for themes:
one of my favs is have each lil girl (or guy) bring an outfit or clothes of mom (or dad) and have a 'dress up' party! You can make a tea-party out of it, or just the dress up. I have several nieces and right now all are into either dress up and/or the Disney princesses. Which leads me to my next suggestion: have a princess party. You can have them 'make' crowns, and the bday girl will have an extra special crown (can put sticker 'jewels' on it!) and a wand or whatever.

for places: what about a (church) fellowship hall or community hall?

[shelbydog]

Bowling! The kids use the little "ramp" to push the ball down, and the alley has bumpers for kids. The kids play one game (cheap!!) and then you have cake/ice cream.

Also, check your local firestation - many will host free birthday parties - a fireman will do a little talk about the trucks, let them sit in the trucks, etc. if you make a donation to the firehouse. No reason you can't have a girl's party at the firestation We're going to one in February.

I know it sounds silly but I have always wanted to have a plain, old McDonalds party at McDonalds!!