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FergieK
Loving my girls
Member since 7/09 2533 total posts
Name:
Fergie
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party planners please jump in
DD first birthday is going to be at the park, we rented the picnic area and its a nice size area with playground and a field nearby with a pond. My dilemma is what to do for the kids that will be there. Ages range from 1 to 8. I have no idea what to do.
I need suggestions. I don't want them to be bored. the party is from 11-3.
Dh picked up an inflatable ball that when I looked at it it says "can hold up to 150 lbs" not realizing people can go into it. Thats the last thing I want is a kid jumping in there. I think its for him LOL
Please help
Thanks
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Posted 4/22/13 10:44 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: party planners please jump in
Can you bring in a bounce house? If so, I would rent one. Otherwise, you can get bubbles, balls, jump ropes and hula hoops (depending on the ages of the kids there)
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| Posted 4/23/13 12:08 AM |
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Naturalmama
Love my boys!!
Member since 1/12 3548 total posts
Name:
Christine
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party planners please jump in
We had DS's 1st birthday at a park last year. Between family members and our friends, we had 20 children under the age of 8. We had a bounce house, and a music together teacher came. We also set up some toys for the babies/toddlers like bouncy balls, bubbles, water table. But honestly, most of the kids just enjoyed playing on the playground.
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| Posted 4/23/13 7:50 AM |
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JamieW
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/05 471 total posts
Name:
Jamie
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party planners please jump in
Honestly, 4 hours is way too long for a party. Even at a park. I would do 2 hours tops.
Maybe get a face painter or balloon person. Most kids go crazy for bubbles and they are cheap!
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| Posted 4/23/13 8:31 AM |
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ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..
Member since 5/12 7482 total posts
Name:
Mama
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party planners please jump in
I would hire an entertainer to keep the kids busy (balloon animals, face painting, dancing, etc.)
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| Posted 4/23/13 8:49 AM |
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StarsStripes
LIF Adult
Member since 12/12 1192 total posts
Name:
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party planners please jump in
I would also go to the craft store and get some fun crafts for them to do...do you have a theme?
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| Posted 4/23/13 8:52 AM |
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rkl1130
LIF Adult
Member since 10/07 1476 total posts
Name:
Rose Ann
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party planners please jump in
Can you hire an entertainer? I would get one to keep them busy for a time.
I would also set up a craft area. Kids of all ages love that. For DD's 2nd birthday party, we set up a craft table and it was a hit with kids of all ages.
Also bring in lots of toys like hula hoops, balls, bubbles, etc....We actually have an inflatable ball pit that we take out that all the kids love and keeps them occupied for a long time.
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| Posted 4/23/13 9:04 AM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: party planners please jump in
There's NO reason to hire anyone to entertain a bunch of kids .....in a PARK.....with a PLAYGROUND.......
Get some wiffle ball bats (and the those fat little bat for the little kids) a T, a soccer ball, bubbles, sidewalk chalk (if there's someplace available to draw)
We did Colin's first birthday last year at a park and the kids had a blast just being outside together running around and playing together. I had all of the above mentioned plus some hula hoops, jump ropes and those inflatable bouncy balls that you sit and jump around on ......
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| Posted 4/23/13 9:07 AM |
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ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..
Member since 5/12 7482 total posts
Name:
Mama
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party planners please jump in
For me, I would still do an entertainer EVEN in a park. Someone to take charge of activities, entertainment, keeping kids busy. I am busy doing stuff at the party so to have someone do this for ME is worth every penny, JMHO. Plus, it keeps everything organized.
Message edited 4/23/2013 9:21:22 AM.
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| Posted 4/23/13 9:20 AM |
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BlessedMomma
LIF Adult
Member since 12/11 6163 total posts
Name:
Momma Bear
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party planners please jump in
First off every single kids party i have been to is 4 hours long. In a park I would not hire an entertainer. I would get a bunch of games and activitiesfor the kids and maybe rent a bounce house. But if your on a budget you dont even need that. Like someone else posted i would do bubbles, balls, hula hoops, a bean bag toss game, maybe even some coloring books just if kids want to sit down for a bit. But a park with a playground is entertainment within itself.
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| Posted 4/23/13 9:43 AM |
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ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..
Member since 5/12 7482 total posts
Name:
Mama
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party planners please jump in
If you decide to not get an entertainer, get a bunch of lawn playing games like potato sack races, bean bag toss, ring toss, etc. And maybe give some prizes away.
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| Posted 4/23/13 9:53 AM |
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wo0shply
LIF Adult
Member since 11/08 2702 total posts
Name:
Tass
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party planners please jump in
get some bubbles and beach balls. I'm sure the kids can entertain themselves with that.
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| Posted 4/23/13 11:06 AM |
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DandS
We are so blessed!!
Member since 1/07 1951 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: party planners please jump in
Posted by BlessedMomma
First off every single kids party i have been to is 4 hours long. In a park I would not hire an entertainer. I would get a bunch of games and activitiesfor the kids and maybe rent a bounce house. But if your on a budget you dont even need that. Like someone else posted i would do bubbles, balls, hula hoops, a bean bag toss game, maybe even some coloring books just if kids want to sit down for a bit. But a park with a playground is entertainment within itself.
I couldn't agree more! I think 4 hours is a perfect time for a party, especially if you are having food and dessert.
I used to plan my family picnic every year and it was always a great time...I love the picnic idea for your LO's birthday party!! We use to play games like potato sake races, 3 legged race, egg toss (but of course you can use balloons), obstacle course races, hula hoop contest, and a couple of more things that I can't remember off hand. For my DD's birthday I had it in my backyard but I set up a table with bubbles, crafts (I posted a link on the bottom of this page for Color Your Own Sippy Cups which was a huge hit, all of the kids loved it), play dough, and temp tattoos. You can make this is great party without having to hire entertainment. If you were going to hire anything, I would suggest a bounce house.
Link to sippy cups:
http://www.rinovelty.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.detail/item/CRCOLSI/color_you_own_sipper_cup
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| Posted 4/23/13 12:20 PM |
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Ayne11
Yep
Member since 1/09 18021 total posts
Name:
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Re: party planners please jump in
Posted by forevermylilgirls
If you decide to not get an entertainer, get a bunch of lawn playing games like potato sack races, bean bag toss, ring toss, etc. And maybe give some prizes away.
I agree. Ladder golf too! Even the adults will join in on that one!
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| Posted 4/23/13 12:29 PM |
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GirlyMommy
LIF Infant
Member since 7/12 71 total posts
Name:
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party planners please jump in
i do think an entertainer/bounce house would be fun and keep the kids occupied but , i dont think it is necessary.
like a pp said you can get different sport sets. like wiffle ball bats, golf clubs, jump ropes etc.
I attended a birthday party once at a park and they had arranged a scavenger hunt. They made a map with all different riddles- who ever solved first got a medal/trophy and all other participants got a ribbon. the kids loved it! it did require an adult to help the kids but i thought it was fun! the adults were a bit competitive haha. This did take up about 30-40 minutes of the party!
Also, kids love playgrounds so im sure alot of time would be spent there!
maybe bring an ipod/cd player - let the kids dance, play freeze tag etc.
Maybe have an "art table" with different crafts or maybe T shirt/pillowcase/tote bag decorating with fabric markers/fabric paint.
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| Posted 4/23/13 12:32 PM |
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mema2012
LIF Infant
Member since 10/12 333 total posts
Name:
Mema
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Re: party planners please jump in
I don't think you need an entertainer either.
I've had a couple of parties at parks...we usually hit the dollar store and get bubbles with different kinds of blowers, hula hoops, beach balls. At our last party, we bought a whole bunch of inexpensive kites and they were a huge hit (a little chaotic, but kept the kids busy for a loooong time).
PS LOL, the other day, my DH came home with the "holds up to 150lb" ball too!
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| Posted 4/23/13 1:26 PM |
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Jugglemom
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/12 809 total posts
Name:
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Re: party planners please jump in
Posted by BlessedMomma
First off every single kids party i have been to is 4 hours long. In a park I would not hire an entertainer. I would get a bunch of games and activitiesfor the kids and maybe rent a bounce house. But if your on a budget you dont even need that. Like someone else posted i would do bubbles, balls, hula hoops, a bean bag toss game, maybe even some coloring books just if kids want to sit down for a bit. But a park with a playground is entertainment within itself.
Totally agree!
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| Posted 4/23/13 1:33 PM |
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KimberlyScott
Graceyn=My World <3
Member since 10/08 4173 total posts
Name:
Kimberly
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party planners please jump in
I bought a bunch of bird houses from Michaels for $1 each and some paint. That should keep them occupied for at least an hour-LOL! We are also doing face painting, a pinata and pin the wand on the fairy. DD will be one also.
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| Posted 4/23/13 2:26 PM |
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FergieK
Loving my girls
Member since 7/09 2533 total posts
Name:
Fergie
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Re: party planners please jump in
Wow thanks for all the ideas everyone! I thought this would be easier than not but I got overwhelmed. I think I am doing an Elmo theme or Minnie mouse. I love the chalk idea and hula hoops etc great ideas. I cannot do a bouncy house that was one thing they said no I think because of insurance . Truly appreciate all the responses!
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| Posted 4/23/13 2:45 PM |
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Re: party planners please jump in
here are my suggestions for cheap park activities
-set up a relay race (run around, between cones or poles, around things, jump in the circles, etc.)
-have a variety of balls for people to toss or roll around
-frisbees
-hula hoops
-bubbles, different sizes or shapes
-music, if you have a way to make it portable/wireless
-bean bag toss (or whatever u have on hand, or u can make ur own bean bags from actual dry beans and old socks and the toss part can just be X's in the grass or holes cut out of a cardboard box)
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| Posted 4/23/13 3:48 PM |
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A3CM
Avatar Title
Member since 9/08 3762 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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party planners please jump in
we had both kids 1st birthdays in the park
we hired a face painter/entertainer for 2 hours (time will depend on the amount of kids)
we had a piñata
kids brought balls, gloves etc.
kids played on the playground.
if you do the bouncer, make sure they are licensed to work in that park and you have insurance. (cedar creek i know has 1 company allowed for that)
4 hours is plenty of time. we had 60+ kids at DDs party and most lasted almost the 4 hours.
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| Posted 4/23/13 4:06 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: party planners please jump in
Posted by JamieW
Honestly, 4 hours is way too long for a party. Even at a park. I would do 2 hours tops.
Maybe get a face painter or balloon person. Most kids go crazy for bubbles and they are cheap!
I don't think you need to hire entertainment. Our kids have a blast with nothing. They explore, pick up dirty sticks, run around and just have a lot of fun. Hiring someone would take the burden off you to bring activities though. You can't go wrong either way.
I also think 4 hours is too long but you will probably have guests coming and going. Most kid's parties we attend are 2 hours long.
Compared to most people on this board, I feel like we always do shortened versions of everything whether it is a museum outing, Disney or bday party. Our kids never last anywhere for more than 3 hours MAX. 2 hours is our sweet spot.
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| Posted 4/23/13 10:08 PM |
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