how to successfully blend birthday parties?

Question

I'm looking for some ideas on a birthday party. My neice and my daughters birthdays are 2 days apart- so every year we try and combine their parties into one.. and then the nights of their birthdays we go out to eat or make a cake or whatever just with close family. So we are looking this year to combine their big party again- problem is what to do? They want to invite friends from school. My daughter is 6- (she will be turning 7) and is in First Grade. My neice is 4 and in pre-school. So we need something fitting for pre-school as well as not boring enough for first graders! Also like with most people- cost is a huge factor. We checked into taking them all bowling- but the cheapest we found was $3.50 per kid per game + 3.75 shoe rental!!!! (there will be about 20 kids- plus all the relatives) Also we live in Michigan- so at the current time nothing outdoors will work (ie going to the park)

Answer 1

We held a fair for my son when he turned 5- I had family donate something fun and their time in lieu of gifts. One sister provided the cotton candy machine, My brother brought mass quantities of popcorn in little bags, I rented a jumping thing, I bought one of those disposable helium tanks for balloons. We sorted out piniata prizes into buckets and set up all sorts of little games like toss across and darts on balloons etc. We gave the kids tickets just for playing and at the end of the party we let them trade the tickets for the pinata prizes, a baloon and cotton candy. This ended up being the goody bag.We invited all of our friends kids of all ages and his entire kindergarten class so there were about 50 kids in total. It was not combined but if you combined- it would be even less expensive and more fun with more volunteer help. We also did cupcakes instead of a big cake so that we would not have to have all the kids sitting at once. We just rotated groups of them around the back yard.

Answer 2

Skating parties are fun, and many skating rinks let you bring your own food, drinks, cake, etc.

Swimming parties can also be fun (think YMCA or something - indoors of course!), so long as you have enough adults there to watch the kids. If you inform the YMCA ahead of time or rent the pool out, you can usually let them know that many kids will be of younger age and have the appropriate number of Lifeguards there (one can usually handle the older ones, but you might want 2 for the younger ones if you don't have enough adults).

You COULD find an inexpensive place to rent out and have games, such as "pin the tail on the donkey" (use velcro instead of pins), pinatas, dancing (think musical chairs or hokey pokey), duck - duck - goose, etc.....and have different stations for each game. Pick a theme that is liked by both (Princesses, Disney characters, whatever), and incorporate it (instead of a donkey, use Eeyore, etc).

Answer 3

try McDonald's,the ones where i live in Michigan do birthday parties.or you can take the kids to chuckie cheese,you may also wish to do it at your house and do crafts,you can go to www.dltk-kids.com for ideas,i use that site all the time i have 4 kids ranging in age from 3 to 9,the oldest likes doing the crafts,you can make them a little harder for the older kids and easier for the younger kids.i have the same problem you do my daughter s birthday is 2 days after my step son's

Answer 4

I would not combine them anymore at this point. When kids are real small..I think it's OK but at this point, there are just too many differences.

Answer 5

Skating party would be the best ! Good Luck !!!