Hosting first kid's birthday party, need advice!?

Question

I am going to be hosting a party for my kids in early August. It will be a birthday party for both of my boys, one will be 4 the other will be 2. The party is going to held on my soon to be 4 year olds actual birthdate, as my 2 year old really won't understand what all the hubbub is about anyway. I need some advice on this. There will only be one other child there, about my oldest's age. I want them to enjoy themselves, but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg renting inflatables at whatnot. What are some options? We don't have a fenced yard, so we really can't just let them go play in the back. A Chuck E Cheese party is out of the question, too many kids, too much stress, and I'll spend the whole time chasing all the kids and end up ticked off and wore out by the time its all through. I'd appreciate some advice from someone who's done this a time or two. Thanks!

Answer 1

make it a camping theme, you can rearrange the living room a little and set up a tent or just make a fort out of blankets, have smores younger kids don't mind them not being cooked, its easier to handle.have several board games or crafts to make inside the tent.have a lawn chair set up for them to sit in to open presents.and have a small wading pool set up for a fishing game or this could be done in a bath tub.you can have the oldest child pretend to be a bear and chase the others.

Answer 2

Why don't you do something simple like cake and the park?  Or go online to see what simple craft projects you can do with them for an afternoon.  This way they are "corraled" into one area.

An idea for cake - when my son turned 5 I mixed up cake batter, placed flat bottom ice cream cones in a cupcake holder and filled them about 3/4 way up with cake batter.  Cook them to the time for cupcakes.  Once they are done you can use licorice, gum drops, squeeze icing and make them into clown faces.  We even found little tiny party hats in a decorating store (like Party City/ Walmart).  The kids loved them and even had a blast decorating them themselves.

Go to www.familyfun.com.  They have really good economical ideas also.

Answer 3

have a nice fun dora or kiddie party with cake and games that little kids can play

Answer 4

The secret is to plan the party time.  Set it for about 2 hours.  You might want to invite one more child for your 2 year old to play with as 3 (or any odd number) ususally sets up 1 child to be excluded.  

Plan some games - bean bag toss, simon says, duck duck goose - simple but fun.  If it is hot out, plan some water play.  If you don't have a small wading pool, some buckets with water and some cups or bowls will work along with some cheap paintbrushes to 'paint' with water.  You will of course have to supervise ...  

Plan a craft or some type of artistic creation.  Most kids love to color, glue, paste, etc.  Again, being outside will minimize the mess.  Added bonus, the kids take the creations home for their 'favor'.  

Then food or cake time.  

Check out the library, there are probably some good ideas for parties there.  

Hope that helps!