My granddaughter will turn one in June. I know it is for the adults yada yada yada. However, don't you know my son has the first child to ever turn one LOL!!!we really do not have a big family at all. She has a few little friends (all my friends babysit their grandchildren to) so just a few kids. He wants to have it somewhere. Anyone have any good ideas. He thought of the beach in Ct. They like, but if weather is bad it won't work. My brain is not functioning. Cannot come up with anything. We are talking maybe 12 adults three little ones and her brother and sisters who are 14' 12 and 10. Thanks for being my brain tonight. We are open to any ideas. Thanks ladies. I can always count on you.
Beach might be hard w/a little one.
How about at someone's house?
If not there, then you could have it at a community center at a park. Then
just dress up the venue.
Why can't you just have it at someone's house?
Seriously, who cares about the venue it's the good food and drink and people that make it a real celebration.
Especially the food.
In our family it's ALWAYS about the food.
If you plan an outdoor party in the summer...Plan to have the party on a Saturday w/ a raindate on Sunday! This saved me a few times !
First birthday party venues I've enjoyed include-
the beer garden
a quiet brunch
a picnic at the garden
parties in the home
the acquarium
chinese dim sum
at the yacht/ country club
at the neighborhood ice cream shop
at the pizza parlor
All of these lend themselves to inclement weather. The older kids can interact with the adults and enjoy the food venue. The little ones can just toddle around/ nap in their strollers.
good luck to you and yours,
F. B.
He shouldn't waste his money on a "venue" party for a one year old that won't have any recollection of the party, and may not even enjoy it. Better to do it at home and keep it simple. If baby wants to nap, she can nap. If she needs a break, she can retreat to her room. If it's just family mostly, then that should be good enough for everyone. Order some pizzas, grill, get some chips & dip, veggie/fruit tray, drinks and call it good.
I agree that this "venue" birthday thing is out of hand and way too expensive. Your one year old will have no idea why a big party is a good idea. Two and 3 and 4 year olds don't either. You've got a big age range to deal with. By my count you have 12 adults, 3 toddlers, and 3 teens/tweens. Toddlers at the beach are not much fun and they don't have a lot of stamina.
Why does your son want to have the party "somewhere"? So he doesn't have a full house and have to do a lot of preparation? I would have pizza at someone's house or a make-your-own taco party, with something for the teens to do separately! If it's decent weather, they can play outside, with a little game for the little kids and some frisbee or croquet for the older kids. If the little one gets overwhelmed, she can go down for a nap! Or you could do a picnic at a park with baby swings/climbing equipment as well as open fields for the older kids to kick a soccer ball around, and some have little fitness areas with different stations.
If the weather is bad, you could do something at a museum or aquarium that has different exhibits for different ages - hands-on stuff for the little ones, more science for older kids. Sometimes these places have a room for bring-your-own snacks or lunches. Someone could bring in subs (what you in New York call heroes) and soft drinks or lemonade. But some of these museums are pricy and it could be too expensive. And if you pay the money and the little kids get wiped out and are miserable, then it's a terrible situation.
Sometimes churches and community centers rent out an area for private parties, but it's often more work to bring in your own picnic or pot luck meal plus paper goods and an activity, and then you have the clean up.
I'd scale back. She's 1.
The party isn't for the one year old, grandma. It's for you to watch how cute the one year old is!! Have a meal that's comfortable, a cake and some ice cream. Let the birthday girl get messy and take pictures! If I were you, I'd ask both families to pitch in so that your son doesn't have to pay to feed 21 people, should you choose a restaurant. And if you DO choose a restaurant, try to get one that has a back room where you guys can have some privacy and have toys for the kiddies to play with so you adults can talk.
If you have room in someone's house, go potluck.
I will tell you that my kids barely ate the cake or icing. They mostly smeared it all over their faces. And they just tasted the ice cream. I was worried about giving them too much sugar, but it didn't end up being an issue.
Do the parents or yourself have a fave restaurant? I see you are in Ny... Go to http://m.nymetroparents.com/ & look up party venues... I get wanting to have it not at home, we moved to smaller place & it can get cramped & U'd rather someone else clean! Good Luck!
