I am starting to brainstorm ideas for DS's second birthday party and I am fixated on a camping theme for a few reasons...I saw some cute felt campfire playsets on Etsy that would make a great gift and would double as decoration and I saw some plastic Swiss Army knives for kids in the supermarket toy section for about $8 that would make reasonable favors (I can buy a ton with our supermarket points, essentially making them free). What do you all think about these kinds of favors, yay or nay? The children that would be invited are all over 3, my son is the youngest.
Instead of having "answers" on a math test, they should just call them "impressions," and if you got a different "impression," so what, can't we all be brothers?
That is a hard call--my son is 2.5 and I wouldn't let him have that and would be annoyed if it were a favor! Annoyed because my toddler would want it and I would be the bad guy taking it away! Have you thought about doing s'more packets as favors? I like the camping theme though!!
My first thought is no way, 2 is way to young for that but then I think, well, I let them have pretend kitchen knives and cutting food with no issues so how is that any different.
One thing you might want to consider is that a camping theme would be incredibly awesome for a kid in the 6-10 range. Does your son have an interest in camping at just 2? I personally would do a theme HE would love and be excited about. We camp and my girls would not have been excited about that theme at 2. They would not "get" the details at that age.
I have to say, I didn't think that one through, I just read the comments on the blog I posted, and it doesn't seem like a good idea. I would be okay with my son having one after age 3 (I write that now and I have a 19 month old, so who knows how my opinion would change) but I can understand how other parents wouldn't be comfortable with it.
I think smores would be a good idea, but I was looking for something else, I prefer not to do open food because we have friends with kids that have allergies and they don't allow food.
Back to the drawing board, thanks!
boilermaker: neither one of us have an interest in camping, so it's kind of a weird idea, to be honest. I have some Swiss Army issued blankets that I have no use for and was thinking of making tents. Maybe I should wait until later, then the knives would be okay as favors.
Instead of having "answers" on a math test, they should just call them "impressions," and if you got a different "impression," so what, can't we all be brothers?
What things does he LOVE? His favorite activity, his favorite book, his favorite show or song, his favorite place to visit? I'd think of those things and go from there. My experience with my two was that at age 2, they got it. They understood the party was for them and to watch their eyes light up at you having a day all about something they loved was an experience you don't want to miss!!
I agree with boiler, pick a theme that interests him.
I personally probably would have been okay with this knife for my three year old because he would have gotten a kick out of it and he did understand pretend play when he was three and a Swiss Army knife is a tool more so than a weapon. But reading the comments on that site would keep me from giving it out as favors.
I would not let my daughter have that. I would maybe let her have it at the party (supervised) but it would disappear soon after.
I agree w/ the others, I would pick a theme that interests your son. I gritted my teeth and did Sesame Street for DD (even though I don't like SS) b/c I knew she would LOVE it, and she did. She was SO excited and she still talks about it. At age 2 she wasn't really IN to anything the way she is now, but she did like SS and I knew seeing the character details would excite her AND I knew it would be easy to put together a party that was a good mix of colors and characters.
I would let DD play with that. She plays with toy flatware with her kitchen set and it doesn't seem much different than that. The theme does seem like it would be for an older crowd, though. I'd save the idea and use it in a couple of years.
Thanks for the feedback regarding DD's party. I decided to just keep the party 6-11 and have a play section with toys and favors set up for the kids like I did last year. We'll do exactly what we did last year by having the band start with singing Happy Birthday, then they'll go right into their set. The thought of two parties on different days was making my head spin and starting the day at 4 for the younger crowd just seemed like too long of a day for DD. The party is a tie dye theme and the kids section is going to be rock n roll, so the themes kind of flow together.
One of the reasons I was trying to have a definitive line between the birthday party and the end of summer party is because DS's birthday is in July and I've been getting a lot of criticism about how it won't be fair for DD to have a huge bash every year because her birthday falls near the end of summer bash, while DS just has a regular party. So what I've decided to do for the upcoming years is to have a small family party for DS, then combine both DD and DS's friend party with the end of summer bash since all their friends are invited to the bash anyway. I'll continue to do that until one of them expresses interest in having a separate party of their own.
I've probably have been over thinking the entire situation, but DH and I are both happy with the solution.
Chloe 8/2010 Oliver 7/2012
At the beach life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour, but mood to moment.
We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun.
looch: I think those knives are cute! I would let DD play with it, and she's under 3.
I would also do a camping theme party if you love it! Under 3 (and definitely under 2), the kids don't really care about theme anyway- they are just happy to have a party! DD is turning 3, and I'm STILL doing a theme that I like! I have a feeling that I will have no say in her 4th birthday party so I'm taking advantage of the cute themes I love while I have the chance!
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