WRAL.com: Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville

Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:

2:50 p.m. • 5-25-13

71°F

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

Sun: Partly Cloudy.
- Hi: 75° F
Mon: Partly Cloudy.
- Hi: 80° F
Tue: Thunderstorm.
- Hi: 85° F

Other Locations

7 Day Forecast

Site Search

Help a Mom: Birthday parties for two-year-olds?

By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Posted: April 3, 2012

Tags: Birthdays, Help a Mom

Here's an email I received from a Wake Forest mom recently:

What is a good place for a two-year-old's birthday party?

As a mom of a seven-year-old and a two-year-old, I recommended something simple. A party at a local park or playground or cupcakes at day care or a playgroup. For my own kids' second birthdays, it was actually just a family affair with grandparents, cake and presents.

But I know there are many other ways to mark the occasion. How and where have you celebrated your two-year-olds' birthdays? (I did also point her in the direction of our birthday party database).

Please share in the comments box below. (If you don't see the comments box below, you'll need to log in or sign up for a WRAL account. You can do that by going to the top of the page and clicking on either "log in" or "register").

Help a Mom features questions from readers every Wednesday. If you have a question that you'd like to ask Go Ask Mom readers, click here to email it to me.

14 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

page 1 \| 2
<prev	next>

sort order: oldest first | newest first

Invite no more than 6 children - take old egg carton and put different colored water color in each slot, give them paper towel holders, toilet paper holders to decorate with the paints. then supply them with card stock cutouts and a little elmers glue to put them together to create things(shows their creativity) they will enjoy all this. Finally let them play with water guns shooting at the used plastic coffee containers. Be creative for your kids and save some money - Take plenty of photos, it is not all about how much $$ we can spend but how much fun they can have at home with a party.

judithfergerson
April 4, 2012 7:00 p.m.

Report abuse

Whatever happened to simple birthday parties held at home or in the backyard? Those have always been the most fun and most successful for us. Granted they take a little more effort, but are so worth it. We had a wonderful "coloring party" when one of my kids was 2 or 3 - it was so fun. They decorated cupcakes, colored, decorated things with stickers, painted treasure boxes with crayons and markers. Was very inexpensive, but was such a hit with the kids. If it is a summer birthday you could have a water park theme in the back yard - paddling pool, sprinkler, water guns etc.

ncmum
April 4, 2012 3:51 p.m.

Report abuse

At home with family.

blahblahblah
April 4, 2012 2:19 p.m.

Report abuse

I totally agree with simple and cheap. They will have fun, but really won't remember it for long. We did the park with their playgroup friends before the big day: PBJ sandwiches, fruit and cupcakes for dessert. Sandbuckets & sunglasses for treats. Then, did a family birthday with a cake with grandparents on the real day. Have fun! :)

littleteacher
April 4, 2012 12:00 p.m.

Report abuse

My daughter just turned 2 in February, and I really debated on what to do for her birthday. I looked at multiple locations, but I just couldn't justify spending $200+ for a birthday party she won't remember. With a February birthday we don't really have the option of going to the park. We ended up just taking cupcakes to her preschool and having family and my best friend's family over for pizza and cake.

righthere1234
April 4, 2012 11:32 a.m.

Report abuse

The park or at home. I've heard that you should invite one guest for every year of the child's age, so this year you would have two guests. Cupcakes and candles, lots of photos. Happy birthday!

storchheim
April 4, 2012 10:51 a.m.

Report abuse

We attended a b-day party at My Gym and my two year old loved it! However, for my little one's b-day we just had pizza at Anna's Pizzaria in Apex. They have a private room to rent and like a previous poster said, it was just for us, the parents.

rebeccapatel
April 4, 2012 10:35 a.m.

Report abuse

In your kitchen with grandma.

beaupeep
April 4, 2012 10:35 a.m.

Report abuse

Jumpin Beans and Little Gym both did an excellent party. Completely stress free and they were super friendly.

swirlgirl027
April 4, 2012 8:58 a.m.

Report abuse

Usually, for that age, something small is best. 2 yr olds can become overwhelmed easily and a situation where you end up with 10+ cranky 2 yr olds is no fun for anyone. We usually did just family (mostly adults) for this age. A park is a good choice but it can be hard to corral the kids for cake (or cupcakes) and presents. Sometimes they don't want to stop playing. Good luck and happy 2nd birthday

NCMOMof3
April 4, 2012 8:39 a.m.

Report abuse

page 1 \| 2
<prev	next>

sort order: oldest first | newest first

Meet Sarah Hall
GoAskMom Editor

Video

•••

←→

The students and staff at Cedar Fork Elementary star in a music video to capture their journey of learning for this year. The lyrics…
Leeann Eagle talks about her business creating personalized and appliqued apparel for kids.
Check out the scene at our big playdate featuring Artspace, Lil' Chef, the Chick-fil-A cow, Rissi Palmer, the Wake County Sheriff's…
Cristin DeRonja, director of the SAFEchild Advocacy Center and a Raleigh mom of four, tells us that listening to your children is…
LeeAnn Donnelly of Biltmore talks about the estate in Asheville and spots that families shouldn't miss when the visit.
Anna Norton, a Cary mom, talks about her journey with Type 1 diabetes, her involvement in Diabetes Sisters and the nonprofit's…
The city celebrates the grand reopening of its historic carousel on Saturday, April 20.
Julie Stoner, a Raleigh mom of two, will compete in her first Boston Marathon on Monday.
Go Ask Mom editor Sarah Lindenfield Hall talks with WRAL about preparing for a half marathon and how running can help moms stay…
Cristin DeRonja of SAFEchild in Wake County talks about the agency's program called Funny Tummy Feelings, which teaches kids skills…
Mary Poole, Artspace executive director, talks about the collection of artist studios and galleries in downtown Raleigh and why it's…
Beatrice Diaz, a mom of four in Chapel Hill, talks about her business Absolute Joy.
The best part about the playground at north Raleigh's Optimist Park is it's in the shade. And when the kids get too hot, you can just…
Cristin DeRonja, director of the SAFEchild Advocacy Center, talks about the programs offered at the Wake County nonprofit.
Cristin DeRonja, director of the SAFEchild Advocacy Center in Raleigh, talks about the four kinds of child abuse and what you can do…
Robyn Bennai and Liz Lemons, Raleigh moms, talk about their venture - shopbidgive.com - which provides an online home for silent…
Buffaloe Road Athletic Park, home to the Buffaloe Road Aquatics Center, also features a small playground.
Rosalind Baglio, manager of the Chapel Hill boutique, talks about what the store offers. It's part of the Women's Birth & Wellness…

WRAL.com: Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

Other Locations

Help a Mom: Birthday parties for two-year-olds?

14 Comments

Video

Resources