Ok my ds will turn one next month and I am at a loss as to what we should do. Birthdays are a big deal for me and I tend to go alittle overboard, I guess it comes from my own childhood because I always wanted a big party or something nice and my parents never made a big deal over a birthday so when I had my first ds, I went all out for his birthdays. here is my problem, my oldest ds's birthday is in the summer, for his first we had a huge bbq, we had 2 pony's and elmo and a complete petting zoo, yes I know it was alittle overboard but like I said b-days are a very big deal to me,so now here is second ds first b-day and it is freezing outside so the I can't do what I did for my first, and I can't think of anything that will compare to my other son's first birthday, I know I am rambling but I just want his first birthday to be as special as his brothers was, am I making any sense????????? ok any suggestions

By Bobbie on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 12:34 pm:

Well, what is your DS into (if anything at that age)? And how many people are you planning on inviting? What about renting out the pool at the local YMCA? Do a beach party theme or something to that effect with it being winter a dip in the pool might be fun. Or do you have a Leaps and Bounds, Chunky Cheese or something like that any where near you? With him being so young the party will be more for the people invited then it will be for him. So make a list of who you would like to invite and then base the activities off of the age range of the people you are wanting to attend. What about a childrens museum? They often have birthday party packages. Like I said I think it is all going to depend on the age rang of the people you are wanting to attend and what is available in your area. If it is a bunch of adults then maybe you could rent out a hall and do carnival type games or karaoke. Maybe even a costume type party with related games..

By Tyaustinsma on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 01:45 pm:

never heard of leaps and bounds, will check into the ymca thing. it is also hard because the guest list is very split, there is about 2 children also 1, then we have 3, 2-3yr olds, one4yr and 1 -5yr and then 7 kids ranging from 8-14 and about 19 adults. I know I could rent the hall at the church my dad works at but just don't know what to do

By Andi on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 06:02 pm:

Do you have a place like Chuck-E-Cheese where you can have the party?
www.chuckecheese.com

By Tyaustinsma on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 09:44 pm:

Yes we have a chuckecheese but I just figured there was not much there my son could really enjoy

By Bobbie on Tuesday, January 13, 2004 - 10:38 pm:

Well with that wide of age range you are going to have a hard time finding anything that everyone is going to enjoy.

Leaps and Bounds... It is one of those places that has the tunnels and the ball pits etc. We have a few down in Columbus. They generally have a smaller area for toddlers and babies and a more advanced area for the older kids..

I did a search in New Jersey. Found this..

Romp Around

Simular to leaps and bounds..

New Jersey chidrens museum

Hands on museum for kids.

Both places have birthday party programs...

By Andi on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:27 am:

My DS loved Chuck-E-Cheese when he was one. He loved all the colors and all the activity going on around him. There are a couple rides that he could go on and he loved it! Plus there will be plenty for all the other children. A one year old really dosen't care much about his/her birthday if you think about it.

By Tonya on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:31 am:

I did a family B-day in the house fro Timmy on his 1st B-day. Since you cannot do it outside and have a BBQ like you do in the summer why not have a pizza party indoors instead. It won't cost you too much. You could still do a clown or 2 in thw house plus have games and stuff for the kids.

Or could you find a small hall to rent and do that there instead so you don't have a ton of things going on in your house?

By Melanie on Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 12:10 pm:

What if you rented the hall at the Church and then brought in an entertainer like a magician? We had one for my son's 5th birthday and he was a hit with the kids and adults alike.