I'm trying to plan Kaitlyn's birthday party and I found a place that seems like a lot of fun. But, i'm not sure if it's too much for her. Not cost wise, but stimulation wise and if she's still a bit young for it. Thats why i'm posting it here, I want your opinion.

Pump It Up Party

By Melanie on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 12:06 pm:

How many kids and what age ranges? I always got nervous when my kids were little on things like that with older kids. If you are having all two year olds, I think it looks like a blast. But if you are having a number of kids who are 6-8, I would probably wait until she is a little older and more stable.

But it does look like a very cool place to have a party!

By Boxzgrl on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 12:23 pm:

Well since it's mostly family and only a few close friends there will only be about 10 kids and about 20 adults. (Who act like kids for the most part, lol) There are 5 children between 1-3 years old, and the rest up to 7 years old but are actually very gentle around the younger children. I thought it would be fun because it is enclosed so nobody will be running around after the kids or worry about kids getting lost.

By Melanie on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 12:56 pm:

Honestly, I think it sounds like a lot of fun then. You know all the kids well and are confident they will be careful with the younger ones. You have a great ratio of adults to kids. I think it would be a great place to have a party!

By Mommmie on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 01:44 pm:

Ya know, I think 2 years old might be a tad young for that, and there weren't any pictures on the website of the little bity ones which makes me wonder, but the kids 4-7 will probably love it and I'm sure everyone will have a great time just being together.

My son was a guest at a similar party when he was 2 and he was too young to appreciate it and just wandered around. He loved the same place at age 4-7.

By Jann on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 02:16 pm:

My youngest has been to one of those parties, and it was great fun, but she was 8 or 9. I think it might be too much for the little ones.

By Bea on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 02:35 pm:

I think a 2 year old would have a hard time climbing these things. Our City has several outside for our 4th of July celebrations and Nichole loved them. She was 6 and 7. Smaller children (under 5 maybe) seemed to have a very hard time walking on the soft surfaces and climbing to the slides.

By Pamt on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 03:14 pm:

I find that when my boys do the inflatable things at bday parties someone always ends up hurt--an elbow in an eye, someone landing on top of someone else, etc. I think a 2 y/o would just love running around outside with some bubbles. I personally think that simpler is better, esp. at these young ages. Have fun whatever you do!

By Boxzgrl on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 03:35 pm:

Okay, I really don't mind throwing this idea out because of the cost alone, lol. I was thinking about something indoors where the kids can have fun in a private setting. I went to a party at Chuck E Cheese yesterday and it was so impersonal and extremely crowded so I marked that off my list. I was thinking a Gymboree party but they don't allow anything other than dry foods (Chips but no dip, pretzels etc..) but I wanted to have healthy food like bite size sandwiches and veggie platters and stuff. Any ideas for an indoor party?

By Bea on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 03:51 pm:

Gymkhana is where Nichole learns gymnastics. They cater parties there where parents bring food...wet and dry. Do you have a bowling center nearby. Many have special light balls and pins for kids. They block the gutters, so their balls make it all the way down. Check out a few near you. Movie theaters also have party packages.

By Palmbchprincess on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 05:30 pm:

My kids didn't like the bouncy rooms things at 2. Shane wouldn't go in it, and Maddie just wanted to sit still in the opening, and this was with no other kids inside. I'd make sure Kaitlyn will enjoy it before booking the party, 2 year olds are so picky.

By Bellajoe on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 06:42 pm:

I think it may be too much for a 2 yr old. I know my ds would have hated that place at 2 yrs old. he would have cried and ran out screaming while holding his hands over his ears.

Wait till she is 4 or 5 and then she will probably love it!

Do you have a "Build a Bear" store near you? The kids get to make their own teddy bears, that may be fun for her! Also, near us there is a place called "Playground World" where they sell great big cool swingsets and play ground equipment. They also have birthday parties there for kids (very smart of them!).

By Breann on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 07:07 pm:

I don't think that the birthday girl would enjoy it as much as the older kids. My daughter had a Build A Bear party when she turned 2. That was a lot of fun and she thought it was great to make her own stuffed animal. She still packs it around with her 3 years later

By Boxzgrl on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 07:33 pm:

Build a Bear sounds fun but I honestly don't think DD would like it. She's much to energetic for their small store. We're looking for a "park/playground" type of place indoors. That would be easiest for most everyone attending.

By Palmbchprincess on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 10:25 pm:

We took the kids to Build-a-bear in the fall, and they liked it ok, but didn't really "get" it. I can't imagine doing a party there, it would probably get pretty expensive. Reading this thread is making me think I'm actually kind of lucky to not have to deal with this yet, since our family lives halfway across the country. Parties for toddlers are no easy thing!

By Imamommyx4 on Sunday, April 3, 2005 - 11:53 pm:

Melissa--we had dd's 4th birthday party at a place very similar just 2 months ago. Ours is called The Bounce Factory. About the same price, too. The kids loved it. But my dd is a little bit taller, not much, than some of her friends of the same age. And I noticed at her party that the kids who were smaller than her had trouble getting on the bouncy things. We had to pick them up alot to get them on the different things. And one little fellow who is just didn't like it at all.
It was a lot of fun and for the most part enjoyed it. One 7 yo little boy jumped outwards on the slide and landed at the bottom of the slide and twisted his ankle. His daddy was upset with him for that maneuver.

By Kym on Monday, April 4, 2005 - 12:30 am:

Well, I think an organized party for a 2 y/o is too much no matter what you do. Remember kids are not social creatures at that age They are selfish little beings, maybe a nice family gathering or like our rule as been one child for each year so maybe two little girls she really likes? She has many years of parties to come, I think at this age the party is mostly for the parents, and then they end up stressed because the 2 year old either runs off in a fit, or falls asleep JMO

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 09:09 am:

Late getting in on this one, but for what it's worth, I think that sounds like a great idea for kids a bit older that your DD. 2 y/olds seem a bit young for that type activity. I'd do something at home and wait a year or two for a party like that.

Mine had spacewalk parties when they were 5; last year Jules had a spacewalk party for Madison at 3 y/o, and it was a little intimidating for the kids that age. Even last fall when I took her to a fair when lots of stuff like that for little kids, it was a bit much.

They normally start to enjoy those things more by age 4 or 5.

By Insaneusmcwife on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 - 10:59 am:

Call me old fashion but how about reserving the community center on base and renting a bouncy from Outdoor Adventures and maybe a clown or pony. I cant believe she is going to be 2 already!!!!

By Andi on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 04:12 pm:

We almost did that for DS's Birthday back in January but after figuring out the cost we decided to wait until he was older like 6 or 7 and could invite a few of his good friends and have fun with httem. At his age and at your DD's age the adulta would have to supervise and I don't think it would be worth the cost just yet. JMO

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 06:30 pm:

That's what I was thinking, Andi. We'll definitely do it later because it sounds like fun. But, i'm still stumped on an idea. I was thinking about doing the Little Mermaid theme and have it at the beach (since we live here) but I don't want parents having to worry about overheated/sunburned kids. I could always rent one of the beach cottages for shade but that seems pointless to use for a few hours.

If you have any ideas for a 2 year old party, throw them my way.

By Annie2 on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 07:56 pm:

To be honest, I would have two or three of her friends to the house for cake and ice cream. Maybe pin the tail on the donkey, coloring fest, open presents, maybe dress up with pictures taken with a digital camera then sent home with their picture printed out with them all made-up with a goody bag. Take the money you would have spent on a more elaborate and put it into a savings account with her name on it.

Save the money for when she is older and will really appreciate the party and is old enough to remember it! Believe me, I have BTDT. We look back on some parties we have had for the kids and our kids can not remember the day or even recognize themselves in the pictures!

By Andi on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 10:19 pm:

You could do Chuck-E-Cheese on a week day when it's not so crowded. Don't schedual the party with them, just show up and have fun with DD's friends. You can always just order pizza and bring in a small cake.
We had Dylan's 2nd Birthday at our house and it was tons of fun. I just had some crafts for the kids like Big sheets of paper and markers. You can hang a white bed sheet on a fence and fill spray bottles with colored water and let the kids spray the sheet. Colored chalk for the ground. They can each plant a flower in a cute pot that they decorate with a parent. There are tons of things you can do. What is your theme?

By Pamt on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 - 10:31 pm:

My boys' 2 y/o birthday parties:
*Oldest DS- I invited his Sunday school class and put them in the gym at church with several balls, a Little Tykes basketball goal, and a slide. Cake and punch were served and the party lasted about 1.5 hours. Maybe eight 2 y/os total and no other kids.

*Youngest DS- I invited his best friend's family over (they had a 2 y/o, a 4 y/o and 2 teenagers) and we all ate pizza (his favorite), had cookie cake since he didn't like cake, the kids played around the house for a little bit, and they opened presents. In the midst of the "party" my DS went upstairs and brought his pajamas down for me to help him and asked to go to bed (at about 7:30).

Ditto Annie2. I just don't think 2 y/o's need big planned parties---just some fun with a couple of friends. It was always my experience when the kids were younger that the excitement and activity (plus the sugar) always resulted in someone crying and usually it culminated with the over-stimulated birthday boy bursting into tears.

By Boxzgrl on Thursday, April 7, 2005 - 02:11 pm:

My biggest problem is that we can't have it at our house because it's too small. Birthday parties are always a big deal on DH's side of the family so we would be expecting about 20 adults and 10 kids. Literally, if I called and told DH's Grandma that I didn't want the hassle of a b-day party this year, I guarantee she would call back the next day with the party planned herself. They love this stuff and love anything that has to do with the children. She planned Kaitlyns birthday party last year. All I did was pick the theme. I really don't want to have someone else plan it again. We had it at the park last year so I dont want that again this year. I'm just at a loss. I'll probably think of something last minute as always, lol.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 06:30 am:

Melissa, in all honesty, kids that age don't remember the details of a party that young. So unless you really have an issue with doing the same thing you did last year, why not do it as long as you have great weather?

My kids' parties were at home when they were that age - we just had a themed party, and it was pretty much more a gathering for the adults since the kids are too young to plan much.

When mine were 4/5 they had spacewalk parties here at the house. After that there were various other types of parties.

But realistically, at age 2, there's not a whole lot you can do as far as planned parties/party activities - you can try *pin the tail on the whatever....* but mostly they just like playing with other kids and the excitement of the cake and presents to open.

By Jann on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 08:12 am:

I agree with Karen, have it at the park. Let the kids run around and the adults visit.

By Conni on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 09:01 am:

For my kids 2 yo parties we stayed home grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and had cake or cupcakes. Very simple. Oh we had a pinata too.

We usually do family and a couple of friends (if any). We do make a big deal of it- but we do it at home.

I took Blake to a bouncy room party this yr and he wouldnt go in the bouncy thing. (he is 4) He stuck to me like glue until the magic show began. He LOVED the magic show. lol Of course he is older tho.

Dont ever think your home is too small. When I was married to my ex we had a tiny 2bdrm house and we used the backyard, front yard, kitchen and living room. lol Where ever you could fit. We had some fun parties. We also had a party at the park one yr and that was a great time for the kids and free. My ex's family use to have a get together every Christmas Eve and Easter in the grandparents 2 room house. I am not kidding there would be 50-60 plus people there. It was always alot of fun!!! I remember us young wives sitting on our husbands laps alot because there werent enough chairs-- but it was fun to have to be that close. lol

Blakes bday is this Monday, he will be 5. He wants to ride on a train. So we are going to take him on the train (just us as a family) and we'll have cupcakes (which he requested), a few gifts from mom / dad / brothers and thats it! I am going to send treats to his class on Monday as well.

Anyway, have a good time whatever you do!!!