Age to start kiddie parties

At what age did you start having "kiddie parties" for your dc?

DD is turning two: I have a small handful of close friends with toddlers where I can do a simple 6-toddlers low key thing at home with pizza, cake, and crafts. Or, I can also invite the 10 kids in dd's daycare and have the party out.

DD is the oldest in her class (December baby - everyone else is later in December through March), so I don't know if people will be doing parties! Should I be starting at age 2 or can I get away with another year before we start the parties out with her daycare buddies?

Age to start kiddie parties

I started at 3 when DC started to go to school.

Age to start kiddie parties

We are starting at 2.

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

We started at 2...

Age to start kiddie parties

We are starting with my DS's next birthday...he will be 4.

Age to start kiddie parties

Its your choice. We had kiddie party for 1 & 2 at home for my twin boys with 20ish kids both times. (adds up quick with twins)
This year turning 3 wil be first party out.

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

It's not a must.
I've been doing family kiddie parties (our families have THAT many kids).
IMO, your child will probably not "get it" til 3.

Age to start kiddie parties

We are starting this year at 5.

DS got invited to one or two third birthday parties at daycare but, it seemed that it became more common at 4 (he's also a December b-day so I was able to hold off a year since he hadn't been to that many at that point).

Age to start kiddie parties

I started for my twins 3rd birthday last year. Usually we have a small gathering of just family at the house and get heros and make some food. Last year we did a kids only party at pump it up and invited only those who had kids. This year we are doing the same for their 4th birthday.

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

At 1 we had kids (my friends kids and some kids who we have play dates with) plus the whole family- 83 people! At 2 we are going to a kiddy play place and having kids and DHs family that MIL insisted we invite (but the abridged version since she was getting out of hand).

ETA last year we did cake at our house for our siblings and parents only. this year DH is working so we aren't doing that. Everyone will be at their party anyway.

Message edited 10/1/2014 8:24:19 AM.

Age to start kiddie parties

Dd is 4 turning 5 in May. We haven't done a kiddie party yet. I think maybe this this year.

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

I waited until my kids started kindergarten. Before then, we did family parties at home.

Age to start kiddie parties

My DS is turning 3 this year and we might have a party for him but it kills me to spend the money when I'd rather just put it in his account. He has been getting invited to a ton of parties so he is starting to ask.

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

My DD just turned 6 I still don't bother with them. They are so expensive and ALL the same. Instead we do really nice family parties where all of her aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc come and we go all out on the decorations for her.

So far, she's not complaining.

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

Probably not until he starts making friends at school and starts to get invited to their birthday parties. DS is 2 and for his 2nd birthday we just did a BBQ with immediate family at home.

Age to start kiddie parties

We did one at 5 as a farewell to her pre-k friends since she was going to real school. I did it in May (her bday is in Aug). Honestly it was fun but a waste.

This year for her 6th we did CPK and it was a heck of a lot better both in price and experience.

She knew by 4 what bday parties were all about and when she walked into her 5th bday party she knew it was HERS and just having one at all was such a huge experience for her. I liked that because she APPRECIATED it and still does. She's not 'used' to parties nor 'expects' them every year. She is honestly grateful to have the experience. THAT is what I like about us delaying. She wanted to give her 6th day gifts TO her guests! LOL And she looks forward to personally handing out the favors so much she wants to do that first.

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

I think 2 is young but DD went to a few 2nd Bday parties (she was the same age) and had a great time. If you don't mind spending the $$ and effort, go for it. I don't think it's a must-do but the kids have fun if you're up for it.

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

I always had a big party at the house until DS turned 4 and I had it at a kiddie place and friends and family back at the house after.

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

We did chuck e cheese for my DD's 2nd birthday with family and friends with young kids.

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

For DD we started at 2.. for DS we'll probably wait until at least 4.. poor 2nd children

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

We started at 4!

Family parties before that (which were still 45 people ugghh)

Age to start kiddie parties

We've done family parties at home. For her first we invited a few of her friends and for her second we weren't able to bc we didn't have the space. DD is the earliest of her friends too so I definitely get wondering what others are planning. I asked others but in the end I did what was best for us and didn't worry about it. Some of her friends invited us and others didn't and it was no big deal. So far, all of the parties have just been home parties. I don't know when we'll do parties out if at all.

Age to start kiddie parties

4

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

we're starting this year, when he turns 4 in a few weeks.
the past few years, we just had a party at our house with our parents, close friends, and their kids ( about 5-6 kids total).
he started school last year, but since his birthday is early in the year, we didn't invite any of the kids from his class.
this year, we're doing it out at a little farm by us in NJ- pumpkin picking, tractor ride, feeding animals, etc. we're not inviting his whole class- just the couple kids that he got to be friends with last year, and a couple other kids we have playdates with...

Re: Age to start kiddie parties

We'll be starting that this year when she turns 4